Ep. #17: Safety Beyond Compliance, Risk Ownership & Building a Real Safety Culture with Brad Johnson

Ep. #17: Safety Beyond Compliance, Risk Ownership & Building a Real Safety Culture with Brad Johnson

Welcome back to LiveWire, the electrical safety podcast from OEL Worldwide Industries, a family business that builds arc flash safety gear, tools, and trust across the trades. Rules matter. Compliance matters. But Brad Johnson believes real safety has to go deeper than a rulebook. In this episode of the LiveWire Podcast, Asa sits down with Brad Johnson, safety coordinator at Parker Water Sanitation and author of Non Compliant Safety: Practical Applications for Safety Beyond Compliance, to talk about what it actually takes to build a safety culture that works in the real world. Brad explains why compliance should be treated as a starting point, not the finish line, and why safety professionals need to focus first on risk, field conditions, worker behavior, and the decisions people make when no one is watching. From oil and gas to municipal water operations, confined space entry, lockout/tagout, fall hazards, PPE, electrical safety, and frontline risk assessments, this conversation is about helping people understand safety before they are asked to follow another policy. Brad also shares why safety leaders need to get out from behind the desk, why workers must be empowered to own their own safety, and why low-quality PPE or punishment-based programs can create barriers instead of better outcomes. This episode is for safety professionals, electrical workers, utility teams, contractors, supervisors, municipal crews, and anyone responsible for keeping people safe around real hazards. Learn more about Brad’s book at noncompliantsafety.com [https://noncompliantsafety.com/]. Subscribe and follow us: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/livewire-podcast-49ab32385/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/livewirepod/] X [https://x.com/LiveWirePod1] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@livewirepod] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6vsiDECeMhdLwO9S7wFcS7?si=rEAu24-fTzmdm52V0IqQTg] Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/livewire-podcast/id1847925085]

Ep. #16: Grid Reliability, Energy Policy & the Real Cost of Power with Amy Cook

Welcome back to LiveWire, the electrical safety podcast from OEL Worldwide Industries, a family business that builds arc flash safety gear, tools, and trust across the trades. Power has to show up. That sounds simple, but the systems behind it are anything but. In this episode of the LiveWire Podcast, Amy Cook from Always On Energy Research breaks down grid reliability, energy policy, baseload power, and the real cost of keeping electricity available when people need it most. From utility resource planning and data center demand to residential solar, battery backup, coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy, this conversation looks at what it really takes to keep the lights on. Amy explains why simple generation-cost metrics can miss major grid expenses, why total system cost matters, and why backup, transmission, firming, and capacity all have to be part of the conversation. She also shares her perspective on local energy independence, the role of residential solar and batteries, the limits of utility-scale intermittent resources, and why innovation depends on abundant, affordable, reliable power. If you work in electrical safety, utilities, energy policy, infrastructure, power generation, data centers, or emergency planning, this episode will make you think differently about what reliability actually costs. Follow LiveWire Podcast and all socials for updates and clips: * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/livewire-podcast-49ab32385/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/livewirepod/] * X [https://x.com/LiveWirePod1] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@livewirepod] * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6vsiDECeMhdLwO9S7wFcS7?si=rEAu24-fTzmdm52V0IqQTg] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/livewire-podcast/id1847925085]

Ep. #15: EV Fire Risks & Arc Flash Dangers Explained with Captain Patrick Durham

Welcome back to LiveWire, the electrical safety podcast from OEL Worldwide Industries, a family business that builds arc flash safety gear, tools, and trust across the trades. Electric vehicles are evolving fast… but are we keeping up with the safety risks? In this episode of the LiveWire Podcast, Captain Patrick Durham from StacheD Training, firefighter, engineer, and leading voice in EV safety, breaks down what’s really happening behind electric vehicle fires, battery failures, and first responder exposure. From thermal runaway and off-gassing to arc flash risks and evolving safety standards, this conversation dives into the realities most people don’t see. Captain Durham shares firsthand insights from the field, explaining why EV fires behave differently, how hidden dangers can emerge even without flames, and what first responders must consider in rapidly changing scenarios. As EV adoption accelerates across industries, the gap between technology and safety is becoming harder to ignore. If you work in electrical safety, utilities, emergency response, or infrastructure, or simply want to understand the real risks behind EV technology, this episode will change how you think about it. Follow LiveWire Podcast and all socials for updates and clips: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/livewire-podcast-49ab32385/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/livewirepod/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://x.com/LiveWirePod1] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@livewirepod] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/6vsiDECeMhdLwO9S7wFcS7?si=rEAu24-fTzmdm52V0IqQTg] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/livewire-podcast/id1847925085]

Ep. #14: The Hidden Dangers of AI for Business with Preston Knight

Welcome back to LiveWire, the electrical safety podcast from OEL Worldwide Industries, a family business that builds arc flash safety gear, tools, and trust across the trades. AI is evolving fast, but is it moving too fast to understand the risks? In this new episode of the LiveWire Podcast, Preston Knight, owner of IT Specialists, sits down with our host, Asa Dyer, to break down AI’s real impact on business, cybersecurity, and data privacy. From “vibe coding” to the hidden dangers of large language models, the conversation explores how companies are adopting AI without fully grasping the consequences. Preston shares firsthand insights from the cybersecurity world—explaining how data is being used, where it’s going, and why businesses may be exposing themselves to risks they can’t yet measure. If you’re utilizing AI tools—or thinking about it—this episode will change how you approach them. Follow LiveWire Podcast and all socials for updates and clips: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [ https://www.linkedin.com/in/livewire-podcast-49ab32385/ ] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/livewirepod/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://x.com/LiveWirePod1] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@livewirepod] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/6vsiDECeMhdLwO9S7wFcS7?si=rEAu24-fTzmdm52V0IqQTg] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/livewire-podcast/id1847925085]

Ep# 13: Innovation, Family, and Made in America: Roy Paulson’s Manufacturing Story

Welcome back to LiveWire, the no-fluff podcast from OEL Worldwide Industries, a family business that builds arc flash safety gear, tools, and trust across the trades. On this episode of the LiveWire Podcast, Asa Dyer talks with industry legend Roy Paulson to share the story behind one of the most influential names in electrical safety and manufacturing. Explore a third-generation leader at Paulson Manufacturing as they share the American story of electrical safety, innovation, and global success. From WWII roots to arc flash shield tech and military collaborations, he discusses patents, legacy, and how Made in USA impacts international sales—plus business advice for entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and industry professionals. This conversation is a deep look into leadership, innovation, and the principles that drive long-term success in business and life. Whether you're in the trades, manufacturing, or leadership, this conversation provides insights you won't want to miss. Follow LiveWire Podcast and all socials for updates and clips: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [ https://www.linkedin.com/in/livewire-podcast-49ab32385/ ] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/livewirepod/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://x.com/LiveWirePod1] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@livewirepod] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://open.spotify.com/show/6vsiDECeMhdLwO9S7wFcS7?si=rEAu24-fTzmdm52V0IqQTg] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/livewire-podcast/id1847925085]