Articles by Alan Ferguson

The summer sun is one of the things that make trips to the beach, cookouts and other outdoor activities so special. The downside: Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can lead to skin damage, cancer and other health problems. But by taking some simple steps, you can stay safe while enjoying your fun in the sun.

What does OSHA consider a “competent person”? In Episode 15, the Safety+Health team talks about the requirements. Also: Jim Spigener, chief client officer at DEKRA, helps break down “the ROI of safety.”

How do safety pros feel about the current job market? Has the COVID-19 pandemic raised the profile of the profession? Safety+Health presents the results of its annual Job Outlook survey.

"There's confusion out there on exactly what the term 'competent' means and who qualifies as a competent person," one expert says.

When a worker dies on their watch, safety professionals must contend with grief while looking at safety processes "to make sure that it doesn't happen again."

In Episode 14, the S+H team discusses OSHA’s ‘Top 10’ and our exclusive Q&A with Patrick Kapust, deputy director of the agency’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs.

In Episode 13, the Safety+Health team discusses situational awareness for workers and how it can be impacted on the job. The team also welcomes safety leadership expert Don Groover from DEKRA, who talks about leadership during – and after – the COVID-19 pandemic.

In three special mini episodes, the podcast hosts sat down with keynote speakers for the upcoming Virtual NSC Safety Congress & Expo to get a sneak peek.

“If we don’t train people to have situational awareness, then all the compliance and all the programs really don’t matter because they don’t get used in real time,” one expert says.

In Episode 12, Heidi Mitchell and Bill Steinbach from the National Safety Council Conventions team stop by to talk about this year’s virtual NSC Safety Congress & Expo – and how to get the most out of your experience.