Do you want to engage your culture? Safety is the first step to creating the motivation needed for people to perform their best. Each day, we have the chance to lead our teams and learn more about our people through an understanding of our safety climate. Through looking at current issues in HSE, we chat about creating cultural value through safety. Your host is Dr. Mark French, CSP, SPHR aka The Safety Dude.
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Safety training can check every regulatory box and still fail to connect with the people who need it most. In this episode of Leading and Learning Through Safety , Dr. Mark French explores one of his longtime professional interests: how to transform required workplace training from a compliance exercise into meaningful learning that employees can actually apply. Drawing from a recent experience…
This week on the Leading and Learning Through Safety podcast, Dr. Mark French examines two tragic workplace fatalities that highlight a common issue: the critical role of training, hazard recognition, and collaborative safety leadership. The first incident involves a 20-year-old worker who died after becoming engulfed in a grain bin. While grain bin hazards are well known, Dr. French emphasizes…
In this episode of the Leading and Learning Through Safety podcast, Dr. Mark French explores an often-overlooked leadership skill: ethical decision-making. Rather than focusing on major ethical failures, this discussion examines the small, everyday moments where leaders decide whether to speak up, look the other way, or take action. Drawing from a recent Journal of Applied Psychology article, Dr.…
In this episode of Leading and Learning Through Safety , Dr. Mark French explores the concept of the Dark Triad of personality—narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy—and examines how these destructive personality traits can undermine leadership effectiveness and workplace safety. Drawing from organizational psychology research, Dr. French explains that while these traits may occasionally…
In this episode of Leading and Learning Through Safety , Dr. Mark French reflects on a recent verbal de-escalation training experience and shares key lessons that extend far beyond conflict management. The training focused on how workers who interact with the public can safely navigate tense situations, recognize potential dangers, and communicate in ways that reduce rather than increase conflict.…
In this episode of the Leading and Learning Through Safety Podcast , Dr. Mark French examines two tragic workplace fatalities that highlight the critical importance of hazard recognition, machine guarding, emergency preparedness, and personal accountability in safety leadership. The first case involves a bakery employee who was fatally pinned between a malfunctioning conveyor and a stainless-steel…
In this episode of the Leading and Learning Through Safety podcast, host Dr. Mark French explores the nuances of organizational risk management and seasonal workplace dangers . Balancing Public vs. Employee Safety Dr. French begins by discussing two uncommon, nearly identical workplace fatalities occurring within the same week at typical lumber and home goods stores across the United States, where…
In this episode of Leading and Learning through Safety , Dr. Mark French reflects on his recent experience at the Tennessee Safety Conference in Nashville, a premiere event he has attended for numerous years. As a multi-time speaker, he emphasizes the high caliber of research and expertise shared at the conference, noting the value of learning from those who live these safety experiences daily.…
In this episode of the Leading and Learning Through Safety Podcast , Dr. Mark French explores how leaders can turn good intentions into real behavioral change in the workplace. Drawing on research from the December 2025 issue of the Consulting Psychology Journal , the discussion focuses on practical, evidence-based strategies for helping people move beyond simply understanding safety practices to…
In this episode of Leading and Learning Through Safety , Dr. Mark French examines a tragic news story out of Michigan involving two young workers who lost their lives due to hydrogen sulfide exposure while performing well maintenance. What initially appears to be a confined space incident reveals something deeper: a failure of basic training, hazard recognition, and rescue preparedness. The…
In this episode of Leading & Learning Through Safety , Dr. Mark French explores new research from the February 2026 Journal of Applied Psychology examining how safety training contributes to workplace safety. The featured meta-analysis reviews numerous studies to evaluate the true impact of safety training on knowledge, skills, attitudes (KSA), and overall safety outcomes. Dr. French reflects on…
This episode explores storytelling as a powerful driver of safety, learning, and meaning at work. Drawing on academic research and real-world examples, the discussion explains how personal stories—especially near-misses and close calls—can overcome the “it won’t happen to me” mindset that undermines risk awareness. Key themes include: The difference between storytelling for entertainment vs.…
In the first episode of Leading & Learning Through Safety for 2026, Dr. Mark French explores a challenging but critical topic: organizational dehumanization and its direct impact on leadership, safety, and human dignity at work. Drawing from a December 2025 Journal of Applied Psychology article titled “Seeing the Good in the Bad: A Self-Affirmation Model for Organizational Dehumanization,” the…
In this end-of-year episode of the Leading & Learning Through Safety Podcast , Dr. Mark French reflects on seasonal safety challenges and why December consistently brings unique risks to the workplace. While safe driving remains a recurring concern due to holiday scheduling, distracted motorists, and increased roadside work, Mark places special emphasis on a rising and more troubling trend:…
In this episode of the Leading & Learning Through Safety Podcast , Dr. Mark French explores the psychological importance of the home-to-work transition (HWT) — the intentional process of mentally and physically unwinding after a workday. Drawing from a recent article in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology , Mark examines how continuous activation of stress systems throughout the workday…
In this episode of the Leading & Learning Through Safety Podcast , Dr. Mark French continues his exploration of how organizational culture is built through both action and inaction. Drawing from research published in the Consulting Psychology Journal (APA, Sept. 2025), he highlights that while values are abstract, culture becomes real through observable practices—what people actually do every day.…
In this episode of Leading & Learning Through Safety , Dr. Mark French dives deep into one of his favorite topics— organizational culture —and how emotional intelligence shapes the environment where people truly thrive. Drawing from research published in the Consulting Psychology Journal , Mark explores the concept of an EI-supportive organizational culture and unpacks what it really means to live…
In this episode of the Leading and Learning Through Safety Podcast , Dr. Mark French takes a deep and heartfelt look at lone worker safety —a topic that tragically resurfaces too often in today’s workplaces. Inspired by a recent real-world incident where a lone distribution worker lost their life after a stack of boxes collapsed, Mark explores how training, resource constraints, and unrealistic…
In this episode of Leading and Learning Through Safety , Dr. Mark French explores the timeless leadership principle of “inspect what you expect,” rooted in the lean concept of gemba—going to where the work is actually done. Safety and lean thinking should be natural partners, but too often leaders set expectations without validating them through presence and follow-up. Mark recounts observing a…
In this episode of the Leading and Learning Through Safety Podcast , Dr. Mark French explores how occupational fatalities and serious injuries are often underreported—or poorly reported—by the media. He emphasizes that every worker who leaves for the day but does not return home deserves more than a passing mention in the news. Instead, incidents are too frequently summarized through obituaries or…
In this episode of Leading and Learning Through Safety , Dr. Mark French shifts focus from technical safety to the broader issues of mental health, organizational justice, and fairness in the workplace. September marks International Suicide Prevention Month, and Mark emphasizes the importance of recognizing that mental health is real, even if invisible, and that everyone’s story matters. He…
In this episode of Leading & Learning Through Safety , Dr. Mark French explores the intersection of meaning, leadership, and generational diversity in the workplace. Drawing from his leadership training experiences, Mark reflects on the importance of making safety training meaningful to individuals. He explains that without personal relevance, training often fails to influence behavior. A powerful…
In this episode of Leading and Learning Through Safety , Dr. Mark French highlights the moral imperative of safety as a foundation for leadership. He emphasizes that prioritizing people’s well-being opens the door to empathy, innovation, and stronger organizational culture. Recent safety incidents underscore persistent risks. Roadway accidents—particularly during summer travel—remain frequent,…
This episode of Leading and Learning Through Safety shares a rare and inspiring safety success story from rural Kentucky. A 68-year-old farmer became trapped in soybeans inside a grain bin — a dangerous, permit-required confined space. Such incidents, often unreported in family farming, have historically caused fatalities, especially among youth. In this case, the local volunteer fire department,…
In this episode of Leading and Learning Through Safety , Dr. Mark French explores the tragic consequences of neglecting workplace safety through the lens of a devastating explosion at a biofuels plant in Nebraska. The explosion killed a 32-year-old employee and his two young daughters, who were waiting at the site to go to a doctor’s appointment. The incident highlights the very real and human…
In this episode of the Leading and Learning Through Safety podcast, Dr. Mark French revisits the foundational topic of adult learning in the workplace, particularly in the context of safety training. He reflects on his own journey from nervous novice to experienced trainer, emphasizing how repetitive safety topics must still be delivered meaningfully to engage a diverse audience. Mark discusses…
In this episode of the Leading and Learning Through Safety podcast, Dr. Mark French explores the increasingly blurred lines between safety and security, especially for field teams working in unpredictable public environments. Reflecting on a recent visit to a street lighting crew in a high-risk urban area, he shares his concern for worker safety amid uncertain external threats. Traditional safety…
In this episode of the Leading and Learning Through Safety podcast, Dr. Mark French explores the critical link between psychological safety, rest, and physical safety in the workplace. Traditionally, safety professionals begin with physical safety as a foundation, but Mark challenges that order by highlighting emerging research suggesting psychological safety—particularly the ability to truly…
In this episode of the Leading and Learning Through Safety podcast, Dr. Mark French explores the contrast between managing people the easy way versus the right way. Sparked by a discussion with a fellow safety professional and the media’s coverage of the Texas floods, Mark reflects on how safety failures are often sensationalized, leading to blame instead of meaningful solutions. He argues that…
In this episode of the Leading and Learning Through Safety podcast, Dr. Mark French highlights the urgent need for proactive summer safety measures. As temperatures across the U.S. reach dangerous highs, several tragic workplace fatalities have occurred—many directly linked to extreme heat. Dr. French emphasizes that summer comes every year and should never catch companies unprepared. He cites…
The episode of the Leading and Learning Through Safety podcast, hosted by Dr. Mark French, centers on the pressing issue of summer safety, particularly heat stress and seasonal workplace hazards. Dr. French emphasizes the growing concern over heat-related illnesses due to rising temperatures across the U.S. He highlights ongoing OSHA hearings aiming to implement enforceable standards around heat…
In this episode, Dr. Mark French explores the importance of onboarding new safety professionals through a leadership-focused lens. Reflecting on his experience guiding a newly hired safety team member, he emphasizes that onboarding should go beyond teaching technical safety skills. The real value lies in mentoring new professionals on how to apply their knowledge through effective leadership and…
This episode of the Leading and Learning Through Safety podcast, hosted by Dr. Mark French, explores the use of euphemisms in leadership communication. Inspired by a recent article from the Journal of Applied Psychology , Dr. French discusses how euphemistic language—used to soften or reframe harsh realities—can diminish the perceived severity of serious issues like fraud, negligence, or safety…
In this episode, Dr. Mark French dives deeper into the psychology of listening , reflecting on how powerful it is to be truly heard—and the responsibility that comes with listening effectively. He explores how our personal biases, distractions, and assumptions can distort communication, and stresses the value of active listening , including recapping and confirming understanding to ensure clarity.…
In this episode of the Leading and Learning Through Safety podcast, Dr. Mark French explores the critical role of listening in leadership, particularly within safety-focused environments. The episode opens with a reflection on how genuine listening is often overlooked yet essential to inclusive and effective leadership. Dr. French emphasizes that active listening fosters open communication, trust,…
🎙️ Podcast Summary: Tennessee Safety Conference Recap & Lessons in Leadership In this episode, Dr. Mark French reflects on his experience at the Tennessee Safety Conference , highlighting both inspiring takeaways and sobering moments. A major segment featured Tennessee OSHA’s annual fatality recap , a powerful session showcasing real-world tragedies to underline the importance of prevention, risk…
A podcast discussion led by Dr. Mark French about new safety legislation moving through the Kentucky House. The conversation centers on two key legislative changes: State Plan Reversal : Kentucky’s OSHA program is under threat of being restricted to only enforcing standards that are as effective as federal standards, with no ability to exceed them. This change would strip the state’s power to…
The podcast episode from "Leading and Learning Through Safety" hosted by Dr. Mark French focuses on the significance of ethics and values in safety leadership. Dr. French discusses how companies often face a disconnect between stated values and actual practices, leading to cognitive dissonance and weakened organizational culture. He emphasizes that true values must be lived and reinforced through…
The podcast episode discusses the relationship between ethical decision-making and workplace safety. Hosted by Dr. Mark French, the episode explores how distance from the work environment affects ethical judgment in safety-related decisions. Dr. French references an article from the Journal of Applied Psychology (February 2025) titled Out of Sight, Out of Mind: How High-Level Controls Can Decrease…
In this episode of Leading and Learning Through Safety , Dr. Mark French explores mental health as a workplace issue, sparked by a Professional Safety Journal article on mental health and suicide in construction. He emphasizes that while work doesn’t necessarily cause mental health struggles, it can be a significant stressor, with leadership, culture, and supervision playing key roles in employee…
The podcast episode discusses a legislative proposal to abolish OSHA, introduced by an Arizona Congressman who argues that workplace safety should be managed by states and private employers rather than the federal government. However, similar efforts in the past have failed, and the speaker believes this attempt is unlikely to gain traction. OSHA plays a crucial role in setting, educating on, and…
This episode focuses on managing organizational change, particularly in the context of safety. Key points include: Nature of Change : Change is inevitable and often disruptive. Effective leadership is crucial in managing, implementing, and measuring change. Safety as a Moral Imperative : Safety-related changes should be the easiest to implement, as they address a universal priority—protecting…
This week's podcast focuses on workplace safety, particularly on whether all accidents and injuries are preventable. Key points include: Safety Philosophy : Initially, Dr. French believed all injuries could be prevented, especially in controlled environments like factories. However, his view has evolved to recognize that while striving for zero injuries is noble, some risks, particularly in public…
The episode discusses anticipated trends in 2025 across leadership, HR, safety, and psychology. Key points include: Shift in Hiring Practices : A move from valuing degrees to prioritizing skills, with organizations increasingly using AI to screen candidates. While this improves efficiency, concerns are raised about the loss of human judgment in hiring decisions. Skill Development : The importance…
OSHA’s Top 10 Cited Violations for 2024 : Frequent safety issues such as fall protection, hazard communication, ladders, respiratory protection, lockout/tagout, powered industrial trucks, scaffolding, PPE, and machine guarding. The importance of addressing these life-critical hazards to prevent injuries and fatalities. Leadership and Safety : Emphasis on the role of safety as a cornerstone of…
The podcast episode focuses on a catastrophic explosion at a food additive manufacturing site in Louisville, Kentucky. The explosion was attributed to the failure of a ventilation system on a cooker, leading to overheating, overpressurization, and a subsequent explosion. The event caused significant community damage, including shattered windows and structural harm, injured 10-12 people, and…
The podcast emphasizes the importance of safety leadership in fostering a work culture that prioritizes employee well-being and risk management. Dr. Mark French, the host, shares personal experiences to illustrate the moral imperative behind safety initiatives, stressing that safety programs should not merely focus on compliance but aim to prevent catastrophic incidents. He highlights the need for…
In the podcast, Dr. Mark French discusses the importance of leadership in creating a strong safety culture within organizations. He emphasizes the need for leaders to prioritize the well-being of their teams, using the management of heat stress as a central example. Dr. French recounts his experience observing a team in Texas, where extreme heat required close attention to safety protocols. The…
The podcast episode from "Leading and Learning Through Safety," hosted by Dr. Mark French, focuses on the topic of confined spaces and their safety implications, particularly in industrial settings like factories with trash compactors. Dr. French explains the importance of recognizing and properly managing confined spaces, which are areas large enough for workers to enter but with limited means of…
In this episode of the Leading and Learning Through Safety podcast, Dr. Mark French reflects on the nature of risk perception, safety, and willpower in both personal and professional settings. He recounts a personal incident where he injured himself with a chainsaw while cleaning his yard, emphasizing how easy it is to misjudge or downgrade risks during seemingly routine tasks. Despite his safety…