Got a thought or question? We’d love to hear it—write to us and you might be featured on a future episode We look back at a year where safety became more human and useful, then map the practical shifts leaders and workers need in 2026. Clear priorities, simpler systems, and real trust move safety from a report to a relationship. • Human-centered safety gains across fields • Useful tech that reduces friction • OSHA focus on heat, air quality, chemicals, noise, contractors • ...

Got a thought or question? We’d love to hear it—write to us and you might be featured on a future episode We explore how to turn leadership setbacks into stepping stones through clear mindsets and a simple playbook. A quiet failure story shows why fit with real work matters more than plans on paper, and how modeling learning builds team resilience. • setbacks as feedback not verdicts • story of a failed safety initiative • misalignment between design and real work • three mindset shifts for ...

We show how operational empathy turns safety from paperwork into a lived experience that workers trust. Through real stories and practical steps, we shift from blaming people to fixing conditions, building trust that makes reporting and safer choices routine. • defining operational empathy and why it matters • safety as experience versus policy on paper • the hard hat headache story and human constraints • five ways empathy improves safety outcomes • micro moments tha...

We share why fatigue and stress are operational hazards that warp decisions, narrow awareness, and fuel preventable incidents. We offer six human factors leaders miss and simple tools any team can use to slow down, reset, and work safer without sacrificing quality. • reframing fatigue from personal failing to system risk • how fatigue mimics intoxication and shrinks awareness • microsleeps and why “I didn’t see it” is real • stress overload, working memory drops, and snap decisions • forklif...

We explore how the first five minutes of any meeting set the tone for safety, trust, and performance. Stories from two safety huddles show how gratitude, purpose, and shared voices change culture in real time. • the power of opening moments to shape behavior • contrasting safety huddle approaches and their impact • specific gratitude that reinforces safe acts • connecting safety to family and personal values • inviting field experts to share insights • turning near-misses into learning witho...

We explore how gratitude strengthens safety, why pain can shape purpose, and how simple daily actions build trust that policies alone cannot. Practical challenges help leaders swap speeches for presence and metrics for meaning, especially through the holidays. • gratitude as a human factor in safety culture • specific appreciation driving voice, ownership, connection • case study of daily thank-yous changing team behavior • mentors, challengers, and painful lessons shaping purpose • three le...

Send us a text Leaders connect technology, AI, and human factors to move from reactive safety to proactive, people-centered prevention. We show how wearables, predictive analytics, and simple design choices reduce risk while building trust and stronger culture. • safety wearables and real-time alerts preventing incidents • dashboards as decision tools, not scoreboards • privacy, trust, and data overload risks • AI pattern recognition, risk scoring, and simulations • leading indicators replac...

Send us a text We explore how trust, not titles, creates real safety leadership. We share practical ways to show up, listen first, and turn skeptics into allies through small, steady actions. • title versus trust in safety leadership • presence over position for influence • how to build trust through daily contact • three field-tested leadership habits • listening to resistance without reacting • a veteran’s story that changed the approach • weekly challenge to build bridges • people follow ...

Send us a text We flip safety’s script from blame to learning and lay out a practical model for just culture that blends accountability with compassion. Two case studies show how fixing systems cuts harm, boosts reporting, and builds trust without letting reckless behavior slide. • why blame shuts down reporting and learning • symptoms of blame culture across teams and leadership • definition of just culture and its balance of fairness and accountability • differentiating human error, at‑ris...

Send us a text Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) has been around for decades, credited with reducing incidents and shifting focus onto frontline actions. In today's evolving workplaces, some question whether BBS still fits--or if it unintentionally reinforces blame culture. In this episode of Safety on Purpose, we unpack where BBS came from, why it's under fire, and what needs to evolve for it to remain effective. We'll explore how modern safety culture demands more than observation checklists--and...

Send us a text In this Mentor Moments bonus episode of Safety on Purpose, we dive into one of the most overloaded skills in leadership and safety--listening. Too often, leaders focus on proving their point or being "right", but real influence comes from making people feel heard. We'll explore why listening builds trust, how it strengthens culture, and practical ways you can shift from correcting to connecting. This bite-sized episode is packed with wisdom for safety professionals and le...

Send us a text The world of work is changing faster than ever - and safety leadership has to change with it. In this episode of Safety on Purpose, we explore why the future of safety leadership can't look like the past. From shifting workplace expectations and generational turnover to the rise of AI, real-time data, and a growing focus on mental health, today's safety leaders are navigating challenges unlike any before. We'll talk about why culture has to evolve, how trust becomes the m...

Send us a text In this Mentor Moments bonus episode, we take a step back from rules, regulations, and procedures to focus on something deeper—the why behind safety. Drawing from personal experiences and lessons learned, we explore how finding your true purpose can transform the way you approach protecting people. From connecting with your core values to inspiring others through your example, this episode will help you move beyond compliance and into a mindset of genuine care and commitment. W...

Send us a text In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest leadership traps—confusing control with guidance. Whether you’re leading a team in the field, managing a project, or mentoring individuals, the way you influence people can either inspire growth or shut it down. We’ll break down the key differences between coaching—empowering people to make better decisions—and controlling—micromanaging their every move. You’ll hear real-world examples, practical strategies, and a few hard truths...

Send us a text In our inaugural episode, we explore the difference between compliance-based safety and genuine safety culture. Moving beyond box-checking requires building trust, focusing on relationships, and creating environments where people follow safety practices because they believe in them, not because they're being watched. • The compliance zone feels safe but often misses what truly drives behavior • Safety culture is how people behave when no one is watching, not ...

Welcome to Safety on Purpose — the podcast where safety and leadership go deeper than checklists and compliance. Hosted by Joe Garcia, this show is built for safety professionals, frontline leaders, and change-makers who believe that culture, connection, and communication matter just as much as procedures. Hosted by: Joe Garcia, Safety Leader & Culture Advocate New Episodes Every Other Tuesday Safety on Purpose Follow & Connect: 🔸 Instagram: Instagram 🔸 LinkedIn: ...