In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Ben Goodheart, a human-centred safety consultant and podcast host who advocates a design thinking mindset to improve safety outcomes.

Ben introduces EHS professionals to the concept of design thinking and its practical application in workplace safety. He explores the importance of workers’ experiences, small-scale experiments and incremental change - and how these alternative approaches can positively impact your organization.

He shares cool real-world examples of how design thinking has driven greater safety success and provides actionable guidance to replicate this in your workplace.

You’ll also discover what Ben wants you to focus on instead of technical knowledge, how “safety improv” can help and why it’s good to be comfortable with uncertainty.

Learn more about Ben’s work: Magpie Human Systems

Listen to Ben’s safety podcast: Punk Rock Safety

The Empathy Map Ben suggested: Empathy Map - XPLANE

Ben recommends this website: IDEO - A Global Design & Innovation Company

Ben Goodheart on LinkedIn: Ben Goodheart, Ph.D. | LinkedIn

Contact Ben: bgoodheart@safetyforhumans.com

Safety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.global

If you have any questions, please email us at safetylabs@safetyproducts.global

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Aaron Potash, an experienced EHS Design Program leader with a background in emergency response and diving instruction.

Drawing parallels from these two high-pressure, unpredictable environments, Aaron explores why rule-heavy approaches often fail to support real-world decision-making.

He explains how practice, repetition and exposure to realistic scenarios - rather than regulations - are key to helping people develop resilience and reliable judgement.

This wide-ranging interview provides practical tools rooted in trust, curiosity and open communication to help EHS professionals support workers in making safer decisions.

Find out more about Aaron’s work: Original Oaktown Divers

Books recommended by Aaron:
There are no accidents by Jesse Singer

Humble Inquiry by Edgar H. Schein

Aaron Potash on LinkedIn: Aaron Potash, CSP | LinkedIn

Safety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.global

If you have any questions, please email us at safetylabs@safetyproducts.global

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Donna Carter, a psychology-informed transformational safety consultant with extensive experience of suicide prevention in remote workplace situations.

Drawing on compelling stories from her frontline work, Donna discusses the complex challenges of suicide prevention and how EHS professionals can support workers in this extremely sensitive area.

She explores the key roles of trust, education and community and warns us that leadership decisions and messages can influence workers’ mental wellbeing in ways organisations may not anticipate.

Donna’s wisdom offers safety professionals crucial guidance on what genuine care requires in practice and how humanising safety can make a meaningful difference for people who may be struggling.

This powerful conversation raises difficult but necessary questions and encourages you to look beyond physical risks to protect lives.

Find out more about Donna’s work: Home | The Person Factor

Get in touch with Donna via email: donna@thepersonfactor.co.nz

Recommended suicide prevention resources:

24/7 Support for Anxiety, Depression and Suicide Prevention. - Beyond Blue

Black Dog Institute | Better Mental Health | Science. Compassion. Action.

Donna Carter on LinkedIn: Donna Carter | LinkedIn

Safety Labs is created by Safety Products Global, the world's leading manufacturer of safety knives. Through our trusted brands, Klever, Slice and PHC, we empower companies to prevent injuries by providing safer cutting tools for every material and application. Find us at www.safetyproducts.global

If you have any questions, please email us at safetylabs@safetyproducts.global