From Volunteer Firefighter to VP of a National Safety Program

Why Character Beats Safety Degrees with Nathan Haynes

Nathan Haynes, who standardized a safety culture across forty infrastructure projects joins me in this episode. Nathan shares anecdotes from his career that led him from Alaska to the highway patrol and how it shaped his views on risk management. Workplace safety and construction safety management thrive on incident prevention and risk management strategies. I listen as Nathan describes his transformation of an operation that previously carried a five plus OSHA rate by eliminating the "wild west" of fragmented project sites.  Nathan explains the necessity of finding the true cause of an accident while avoiding the common mistake of only replacing equipment and moving on to the next task. I also learn why he believes life maturity and personal longevity contribute to the judgment required for high stakes leadership.  What You’ll Learn * Why hiring for character and life experience creates a more resilient safety culture than hiring for degrees alone * How to build standardized safety protocols across forty projects spanning multiple states and jurisdictions * The reason online safety training fails to change behavior for workers on high risk roadways * How to implement root cause analysis that leads to actual learning rather than just replacing equipment * The way diverse career backgrounds like law enforcement and diving enhance a leader's ability to manage risk The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so [https://www.fame.so/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=masters-of-community-with-david-spinks?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=fame-client]

Why Your Machine Guards Might Be Creating Biofilm Nightmares

I talk about food safety management and workplace safety leadership with Laura McCready, who manages risk mitigation for Reser's Fine Foods. We examine how regulatory compliance with the FDA and USDA requires a holistic view of the human body, protecting it inside and out. Laura explains why a machine guard meant to prevent an injury might create a hidden biofilm that risks consumer health.  I find her stories about the agricultural roots of food science and the intricate journey of our meals to be a vital lesson for every leader. This episode illustrates that safety is an integrated mission that requires constant communication between departments to avoid unintended consequences on the production floor. What You’ll Learn: * How machine guards can create hidden bacterial traps known as biofilms. * Why food safety professionals rely on lockout tagout procedures during deep cleaning. * The staggering complexity of a supply chain for a simple bag of lettuce. * How to build a culture where employees understand the reason behind every rule. * The overlap between agencies like the FDA, USDA, and OSHA in food manufacturing. About the Guest  Laura McCready is the Director of Food Safety and Policy at Reser's Fine Foods, a leader in refrigerated deli salads and prepared foods. With over two decades of experience, she has worked for major brands like Foster Farms, ConAgra, and Nestlé. Laura uses her background in food science to navigate the complex world of federal regulations and consumer protection. She is a passionate advocate for food safety culture, drawing on her agricultural upbringing to ensure that every meal reaches the table safely. Episode Resources: * Laura McCready on LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/in/laura-mccready] * Michael Zalle on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelzalle/] * Yellow Bird Website [https://goyellowbird.com/] * The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-canary-report/id1680958839]  * The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5WaqWijkDp17eQOGOVWBo5] * The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGc7qaRV7Y7MayITez6kRPp2PnZkYPHMa] The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so [https://www.fame.so/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=masters-of-community-with-david-spinks?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=fame-client]

Systems Over Signs: How James Ferrell is Engineering Out Workplace Hazards

My conversation with James Ferrell in this episode focused on Human and Organizational Performance and Workplace Safety at Perdue Farms. James shared how his background as a military pilot shaped his approach to complex systems and Risk Management. We discussed the reality of managing safety across a massive vertically integrated company with diverse locations. I loved hearing his perspective on why leaders should look at Root Cause Analysis instead of using band-aid programs.  James argued that you cannot have a safe plant without also having efficient and high quality processes. We also touched on the power of Self-Insurance Safety to motivate better decisions. I left our talk feeling inspired by his vision for a Safety Culture that empowers the frontline. This episode is full of practical wisdom for anyone responsible for keeping people safe while running a complex business. What You’ll Learn * How military Aviation Safety principles apply to manufacturing environments. * The reason traditional safety posters rarely prevent serious injuries. * Methods for building flexible Workplace Safety standards across different facilities. * Why quality and efficiency are naturally tied to safety performance. * The benefits of using a Systems Thinking approach for Root Cause Analysis. About the Guest James Ferrell serves as the Senior Director of Security and Safety at Perdue Farms. He leads safety efforts for an organization with a hundred year history and over twenty thousand associates. Before joining the food industry, James spent over twenty years in the United States Air Force as a pilot. He was one of the first individuals to fly the V-22 Osprey and served in over eighty countries. His extensive experience in high-stakes environments informs his current focus on Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) and systemic safety design. The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so [https://www.fame.so/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=masters-of-community-with-david-spinks?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=fame-client]

How Vulnerability Beats Authority in Workplace Safety Culture with Lori Elam

I am joined by Lori Elam to discuss workplace safety culture and EHS leadership within the world of pharmaceutical manufacturing. In our conversation, I learn how Lori manages safety for a global firm while staying rooted in her local community. We dive into her Failure Friday initiative and how it builds psychological safety among contractors and staff.  I appreciate her perspective why consistent presence builds a marble jar of trust that audits simply cannot replicate. We also explore the pebble in the pond philosophy and how sustainability by design affects the entire supply chain. This episode is a masterclass in human-centered safety leadership.  What You’ll Learn: * How to use public vulnerability to break down barriers with third party contractors. * The reason consistent presence in the field builds more trust than occasional audits. * How to design safety incentive programs that celebrate wins and honest feedback. * The way sustainability by design principles create accountability across the entire supply chain. * How to transition from a compliance focused mindset to a vocation based leadership style. About the Guest:  Lori Elam is an Environmental Health and Safety leader at Takeda Pharmaceuticals with over twenty-five years of experience in biotechnology and regulated manufacturing. Based in Thousand Oaks, she oversees EHS compliance and operational excellence for a facility dedicated to rare disease treatments. Lori is a strong advocate for human-centered leadership and uses her background in quality control to build repeatable safety processes. She is known for her commitment to community and her belief that safety is a vocation rooted in genuine care for people. The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so [https://www.fame.so/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=masters-of-community-with-david-spinks?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=fame-client]

How to avoid the $300K premium trap in workers' compensation with Todd Thams

I welcome Todd Thams to discuss how a workers compensation insurance experience mod score and EMR rating serve as the most critical numbers in your risk management strategy. We look at the financial mechanics of insurance premium negotiation and why a high mod score can literally put you out of business in the construction industry.  Todd shares his transition from a family broker to a tech founder and provides a deep dive into workers comp claims management to show how injury prevention ROI is calculated. We also talk about the dangers of hiring uninsured subcontractors and why protecting your personal assets starts with proper documentation. What You’ll Learn: * Why your experience mod score is the credit score of your business safety performance. * The specific threshold that prevents construction companies from bidding on major contracts. * How to translate safety data into an ROI that your financial team actually understands. * The massive legal risks of paying workers under the table and ignoring workers comp laws. About the Guest Todd Thams is the founder of ModAdvisor and a twenty year veteran of the commercial insurance and workers compensation industry. He started his career in a family brokerage in rural Iowa where he focused on building scale and deep relationships before launching a software platform to help the entire industry manage mod rates and claims visibility. Todd is an entrepreneur who balances his passion for business growth with a commitment to his family and his role as a girl dad and grandfather. Episode Resources: * Todd Thams on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-thams/] * Michael Zalle on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelzalle/] * Yellow Bird Website [https://goyellowbird.com/] * The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-canary-report/id1680958839]  * The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5WaqWijkDp17eQOGOVWBo5] * The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGc7qaRV7Y7MayITez6kRPp2PnZkYPHMa] The Canary Report: Safety & Risk Management is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so [https://www.fame.so/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=masters-of-community-with-david-spinks?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=fame-client]