Safety Heroes - the Health, Safety, and Environment Podcast

Tim Page‐Bottorff didn’t “choose” safety—he was drawn to it, and has spent his career transforming how organizations think about risk, culture, and technology. In this episode, the ASSP Vice-President of Safety shares the defining moments that shaped his journey from Marine‐trained leader to industry innovator. You’ll hear how he turned PPE drills into gamified challenges, built trust with a simple “REAL” framework, and now leverages AI to spot hidden hazards. Along the way, Tim explains why compliance alone isn’t enough, how to ignite genuine engagement (and cut injuries by up to 71%), and why every safety leader must embrace both data and empathy to make zero harm a reality. Whether you’re at ASSP Safety 2025 in Orlando or leading an HSE team anywhere, this conversation is your playbook for building a safety culture that sticks. (03:37) The Calling to Safety: Why Tim “didn’t hesitate” when the industry chose him (17:49) Beyond Checkboxes: Shifting from compliance to purpose-driven training (14:00) Culture Through Competition: Gamifying PPE drills for “go slow to go fast” results (35:36) The REAL Trust Framework: Respect, Empathy, Accept, Listen (22:14) AI as Partner: From site photos to automated hazard reports (15:32) Engagement Metrics: How driving retention over retraining cuts injuries by 71% (26:41) Global Safety Lens: Navigating varied regional appetites for innovation and spend (30:49) Final Charge: “Take the hill” with clear objectives, collaboration, and relentless discipline Follow Tim on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ptownbotts12/] to keep up with his latest insights. Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2270619/open_sms] If you like this podcast episode, subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/safety-heroes/] for the latest from our HSE community and guests. Connect with our CEO and host, Mousa [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mousayassin/], today to stay updated on Safety Heroes, Pixaera, and more. Do you want to be a guest on Safety Heroes, or know someone who would be a great fit? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/safety-heroes/] or email podcast@pixaera.com [podcast@pixaera.com].

Declan Davis [https://www.linkedin.com/in/declan-davis-cmiosh-1050542a?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BbEOj%2BwiKS725SvhOrM4B3A%3D%3D] isn’t just leading safety from the top—he’s walked the path from the site to the boardroom. As Health and Safety Director at Ferrovial [https://www.linkedin.com/company/ferrovial/], Declan brings a deeply human approach to leadership, shaped by years of hands-on experience in the field. In this episode of The Safety Heroes Podcast, he reflects on his journey from site engineer to safety director, sharing how his passion for connecting with frontline teams has become the foundation for everything he does. Declan talks candidly about the moment he realised traditional approaches to safety—long documents, top-down processes, and complex systems—weren’t working for the people most at risk. That moment sparked a shift toward humanising safety: making it simpler, more personal, and rooted in the real experiences of workers on site. He explains how this philosophy drives his adoption of tools like immersive learning, AI-powered training, and multilingual communication strategies that break down barriers and build trust. One particularly powerful part of the conversation explores the emotional power of storytelling in safety training—how placing a worker in a simulated incident, even virtually, can create anchor moments that stick for months and shape real-world decisions. Declan and Mousa discuss the neuroscience behind memory and retention, and why the combination of technology and empathy is such a game-changer for the industry. They also reflect on how safety teams can bring frontline workers along the innovation journey—not just as end-users, but as co-creators and champions of change. Declan shares practical insights from his own experience: how to nurture buy-in, how to find internal champions, and how to scale solutions across a global, multilingual workforce without losing the human touch. Whether you’re a safety leader, technologist, or someone passionate about improving workplace culture, this episode is a masterclass in what’s possible when you blend heart, strategy, and innovation. It’s a call to reimagine the future of safety—one that starts with people, and scales with purpose. Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2270619/open_sms] If you like this podcast episode, subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/safety-heroes/] for the latest from our HSE community and guests. Connect with our CEO and host, Mousa [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mousayassin/], today to stay updated on Safety Heroes, Pixaera, and more. Do you want to be a guest on Safety Heroes, or know someone who would be a great fit? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/safety-heroes/] or email podcast@pixaera.com [podcast@pixaera.com].

In this powerful episode of The Safety Heroes Podcast, we sit down with Steff Williams [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steff-williams-246b5b20?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BJqd2RnCVR%2FGaYNRcYgEMUQ%3D%3D], Director of Safety for Sonoco Europe and APAC. From his humble beginnings on a farm on the west coast of Scotland to leading safety for over 25,000 employees across more than 300 sites globally, Steff shares how his early values of hard work and care for others shaped his people-first approach to safety. He opens up about his “why”—a deep-rooted drive to prevent serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs) in the workplace—and why he believes so many of these incidents are still tragically preventable with basic, intentional safety controls. Steff and Mousa explore what meaningful safety leadership looks like, how to shift focus from checking boxes to truly protecting lives, and why every worker’s voice matters. From tackling high-risk exposures like confined spaces and forklift interactions to building cultures of trust where operators feel empowered to speak up, Steff delivers insights that resonate across industries. Whether you’re in safety or simply care about people, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to lead with purpose and drive real change. Follow or connect with Steff Williams on LinkedIn.  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steff-williams-246b5b20?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B2Aus0ovvSdqwIyefoj%2BmJA%3D%3D] Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2270619/open_sms] - If you like this podcast episode, subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/safety-heroes/] for the latest from our HSE community and guests. Connect with our CEO and host, Mousa [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mousayassin/], today to stay updated on Safety Heroes, Pixaera, and more.  Do you want to be a guest on Safety Heroes, or know someone who would be a great fit? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/safety-heroes/] or email podcast@pixaera.com [podcast@pixaera.com]. Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2270619/open_sms] If you like this podcast episode, subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/safety-heroes/] for the latest from our HSE community and guests. Connect with our CEO and host, Mousa [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mousayassin/], today to stay updated on Safety Heroes, Pixaera, and more. Do you want to be a guest on Safety Heroes, or know someone who would be a great fit? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/safety-heroes/] or email podcast@pixaera.com [podcast@pixaera.com].

In this episode of The Safety Heroes Podcast, we sit down with Kate Donovan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-donovan-kurera-02a77b3?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BXm7bwm5YRVyCTLyul%2FSjeQ%3D%3D], a passionate environmental advocate and senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) [https://www.linkedin.com/company/natural-resources-defense-council/]. Kate shares eye-opening insights on the intersections between environmental law, public health, and corporate accountability, challenging the way we think about sustainability and the role of businesses in shaping a cleaner, safer future. From the truth about plastic waste to the responsibility of corporations vs. consumers, Kate unpacks some of the biggest environmental challenges we face today. She explains why recycling alone isn’t the solution, how toxic materials in everyday products impact our health, and why stronger policies—not just individual action—are crucial for meaningful change. We dive into the growing concern over microplastics—tiny plastic particles that have been found in our oceans, food, and even human bodies—highlighting the long-term health risks they pose. Kate also breaks down the dangers of PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals,’ which have contaminated drinking water supplies and everyday products, exposing millions to harmful toxins. She explains how these chemicals persist in the environment, the regulatory gaps that allow them to remain in use, and the urgent need for action to protect public health. Beyond the risks, Kate offers a forward-thinking perspective on how businesses, governments, and individuals can push for meaningful change. We also discuss the role of leadership in sustainability, emphasizing how the best organizations integrate environmental responsibility into their business strategy, culture, and decision-making. Follow or connect with Kate Donovann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-donovan-kurera-02a77b3?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BXm7bwm5YRVyCTLyul%2FSjeQ%3D%3D].  Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2270619/open_sms] If you like this podcast episode, subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/safety-heroes/] for the latest from our HSE community and guests. Connect with our CEO and host, Mousa [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mousayassin/], today to stay updated on Safety Heroes, Pixaera, and more. Do you want to be a guest on Safety Heroes, or know someone who would be a great fit? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/safety-heroes/] or email podcast@pixaera.com [podcast@pixaera.com].

In this compelling episode of The Safety Heroes Podcast, we sit down with Claus Rose, Managing Director of SafeSteps24, to explore how safety can become an instinctive part of our daily work routines. Claus shares his eye-opening insights on why traditional change management fails 70% of the time and how organizations can move from simply following compliance checklists to truly embedding safety into behavior. He draws powerful parallels with military training, emphasizing that just as soldiers rely on muscle memory in critical situations, workplaces should cultivate safety habits that become second nature. Claus delves into the concept of “muscle memory” for safety—a transformational approach where safety isn’t something to be consciously enforced, but automatically executed. He discusses his journey from working on high-stakes IPO preparations to launching SafeSteps24, an innovative program that blends behavioral psychology, leadership development, and EHS strategies. His insights reveal how the right combination of personal change, practical tools, and data-driven feedback can create lasting improvements in safety culture. Listeners will also gain a deeper understanding of how technology, particularly machine learning and AI, is reshaping safety practices by identifying risks before they materialize. Whether you’re a safety leader or an operational professional, Claus’s vision for transforming safety culture is both inspiring and actionable. Tune in to learn how to drive change from the front line and build a culture where safety is not just a policy—but a way of life. Follow or connect with Claus Rose on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/claus-rose-b3807013?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BvpFnwrG%2BSJmsQ9RlyCBcoA%3D%3D].  Send us a message! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2270619/open_sms] If you like this podcast episode, subscribe here and follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/safety-heroes/] for the latest from our HSE community and guests. Connect with our CEO and host, Mousa [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mousayassin/], today to stay updated on Safety Heroes, Pixaera, and more. Do you want to be a guest on Safety Heroes, or know someone who would be a great fit? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a message on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/safety-heroes/] or email podcast@pixaera.com [podcast@pixaera.com].