safetyCast

• AI-Powered Risk Intelligence: Smarter Insights, Safer Workplaces - safetyCast - 009

  AI in Safety: Responsible Innovation for Smarter Risk Management AI is reshaping the way organisations manage risk, providing smarter, data-driven insights that improve workplace safety, compliance, and decision-making. But with evolving technology comes new challenges—how do we adopt AI responsibly while ensuring real impact? In this episode, we explore AI-driven risk assessment, data analytics, and how AI is acting as a co-pilot for safety professionals worldwide. We dive into real-world applications, including AI-driven heatmaps and chat functionality, while addressing the critical questions of transparency, accuracy, and ethical use. Key themes: Smarter Risk Management: Using AI-driven analytics like heatmaps to identify hazards proactively. Intelligent Safety Assistants: How AI co-pilots provide real-time insights to support frontline decision-making. Responsible Integration: Adapting workforce training and leadership to integrate AI while maintaining trust. Navigating Ethics & Compliance: Addressing surveillance concerns and building transparent frameworks for global compliance. This episode is essential listening for Health & Safety leaders, Operations Managers, and HR & Legal teams looking to navigate the AI landscape responsibly. Featuring: Liz Hancock, Director of HSE at DCC Technology With over 22 years of experience across diverse sectors and continents, Liz brings deep expertise in strategic leadership, enforcement, and safety management to the conversation on AI's future in the workplace. Available now on all major podcast platforms.

  --------  

  53:55

  --------

  53:55
• Women Leading Change: Redefining Health & Safety - safetyCast #008

  The Disruptor Mindset: How Women are Reshaping Safety Leadership In this essential safetyCast episode, we explore the evolving role and impact of women in Health & Safety. Featuring three of New Zealand's top female H&S leaders—Kristy Nicholson (Lockton), Deborah Douglas (ASB), and Nicola Knobel (Plunket)—this dynamic panel discussion explores their leadership journeys, the challenges they've faced, and the strategies they use to drive real change. Through real-world insights and their own lived experiences, this panel challenges the status quo. They discuss why H&S needs "the disruptor mindset" and how leveraging key strengths like empathy, communication, and influence is essential to move from reactive compliance (work as imagined) to proactive, people-first risk management (work as done). Key themes: Owning Your Space: Overcoming challenges and breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries. Beyond Policies: Using "soft skills" like empathy and influence to manage real-world risk, not just SOPs. Lifting Women Up: The power of mentorship and structural change to support the next generation of H&S leaders. The "Disruptor Mindset": Using discomfort as a catalyst for driving positive organisational change. This episode is a must-listen for all H&S professionals, leaders, HR and diversity champions, and anyone passionate about building a more diverse, equitable, and effective safety industry. Featuring: Kristy Nicholson, National Head of Health & Safety at Lockton Deborah Douglas, Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at ASB Nicola Knobel, Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at Plunket Available now on all major podcast platforms.

  --------  

  54:32

  --------

  54:32
• Violence And Aggressive Behaviour In Workplaces - safetyCast #007

  Beyond the Bottom of the Hill: Proactively Tackling Workplace Violence In this essential safetyCast episode, we address the undeniable increase in violent and aggressive behavior in customer-facing workplaces. Featuring two of New Zealand's top retail safety leaders, Grace Cooper (Former GM of H&S at The Warehouse Group and currently Director of The Safety SOULutions) and Jo van den Berg (from Foodstuffs North Island), this conversation explores how to move beyond reactive measures that are often "the ambulance at the bottom of the hill". Together, we challenge the traditional approaches to safety. Michelle and Jo share why a proactive, multi-pronged strategy—focused on primary prevention, good workplace design, and effective de-escalation—is critical for protecting employees from the growing psychological harm this issue creates. Key themes: Why one-off training for violent and aggressive behaviour doesn’t work and what to do instead. How to address employee wellbeing in the face of more frequent aggressive behaviour. Simple and practical preventative initiatives that are proven to work. Real-world examples from workplaces that have implemented positive changes. This episode is a must-listen for retail leaders, HR and H&S professionals, and anyone in a customer-facing industry committed to proactively protecting their people from the growing threat of workplace aggression. Featuring: Grace Cooper, Former GM of H&S at The Warehouse Group and currently Director of The Safety SOULutions Jo van den Berg, Head of Safety & Wellbeing, Foodstuffs North Island Available now on all major podcast platforms.

  --------  

  52:01

  --------

  52:01
• Retail Crime: The New Frontline in Health and Safety - safetyCast #006

  Retail Crime: The New Frontline in Health and Safety In this crucial safetyCast episode, we confront the escalating issue of retail crime and its transformation into a major health and safety crisis for customer-facing industries. Featuring insights from Lisa White, Head of Protective Services at Bank of New Zealand (BNZ), this conversation explores the real-world challenges of protecting employees from increasing aggression and violence. Together, we go beyond the staggering financial costs to uncover the deep psychosocial impact on frontline staff. Lisa shares BNZ’s practical strategies for managing these evolving risks, from de-escalation techniques and staff training to rethinking the physical environment itself. Key themes: The scale of physical and psychological violence in retail. The hidden costs: burnout, trauma, and the impact on mental health. Actionable strategies for training, de-escalation, and safer workplace design. The future of long-term employee support in high-risk environments. Whether you're a retail manager, WHS professional, or C-suite executive, this episode provides essential, practical solutions for creating a safer, more supportive work environment for your team. Featuring: Lisa White, Head of Protective Services, Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) Available now on all major podcast platforms.

  --------  

  51:13

  --------

  51:13
• The Ambiguity of Wellbeing: Understanding Mental Health in the Workplace - safetyCast #005

  The Ambiguity of Wellbeing: Rethinking Mental Health in the Workplace In this safetyCast episode, we unpack the complex and often misunderstood concept of "wellbeing" and what it truly means for mental health in the workplace. Featuring insights from EY’s Roberto C Garcia and Samantha Thomas, this conversation explores why a strategic, clearly defined approach to mental health is essential for building healthier, more engaged organisations. Together, we discuss how leadership, governance, and measurable initiatives can shape effective psychosocial risk management, and why it’s time to move beyond vague wellbeing programs toward real cultural impact. Key themes: Why "wellbeing" needs a clearer definition in the workplace The role of measurement in evaluating mental health strategies Leadership's responsibility in managing psychosocial risks How culture and governance intersect with mental health outcomes Whether you're a health and safety leader, HR professional, or business executive, this episode offers essential perspectives to support your people and build a more resilient workplace. Featuring: Roberto C Garcia, Lead Partner, Mental Health and Psychosocial Risk Management, EY Samantha Thomas, Senior Manager, Environment, Health and Safety (EHS), EY Available now on all major podcast platforms.

  --------  

  50:14

  --------

  50:14

More Technology podcasts

Trending Technology podcasts

About safetyCast