From Clutter to Clarity: Simplifying Safety Systems - Facility Rockstars - Episode # 057

04/10/25 • 53 min

Host Jay Culbert welcomes back previous guests Matt Twerdy and Joe Gilliland for a deeper dive into Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).

Matt Twerdy, Director of Environment Health and Safety at Collins Aerospace, and Joe Gilliland, Senior Director of Health, Safety, and Environment US at Sanofi, share their expertise on EHS management systems, human and organizational performance (HOP), and the concept of safety clutter. They emphasize the importance of humble leadership, effective communication, and collaboration in building simple yet resilient safety systems.

The conversation highlights the value of empowering employees, fostering a blame-free culture, and leveraging AI to predict and mitigate risks. The guests also explore how these principles apply across industries and the critical role of psychological safety in creating a high-functioning, secure workplace.

This episode reinforces the mission to protect workers and cultivate a safety-first culture in all operations.

Takeaways:

Collaborate with Workers Closest to the Work – Involve employees directly engaged in daily operations to better understand challenges and develop practical safety solutions.
Lead with Humility – Foster a culture where leaders value input from all levels, ensuring employees feel respected and heard.
Eliminate Safety Clutter – Simplify procedures by removing unnecessary documentation and focusing on critical safety aspects to keep workers engaged.
Implement Clear, Simple Procedures – Use short, straightforward checklists and guidelines to reduce errors and enhance safety, especially in emergencies.
Encourage Leadership Engagement and Open Conversations – Regularly interact with employees through gemba walks and discussions to uncover risks and improve processes.
Empower Employees to Take the Lead – Promote a leader-leader culture where workers are encouraged to make decisions, suggest improvements, and stop unsafe activities.
Prioritize Psychological Safety – Create a work environment where employees can voice concerns without fear of blame, fostering trust and organizational excellence.

Links:

Matt Twerdy
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-twerdy-mba-csp-chmm-9661132a/
- Website: https://www.collinsaerospace.com/
Joe Gilliland
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-gilliland-544b1611/
- Website: https://www.sanofi.com/en

Shoutouts:

“Turn the Ship Around” by David Marquet: https://davidmarquet.com/turn-the-ship-around-book/
PreAccident Investigation Podcast: https://preaccidentpodcast.podbean.com/
VPP Conference: https://vppregion1.com/2025-safety-health-conference-exhibition/
VPP Speakers: https://vppregion1.com/speakers-presenters-guide/

Ways to Tune In:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0M2XB78b09i5vkWy1eHsxb
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facility-rockstars/id1729458441
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/60bbc4f3-a123-47ca-9a83-eade102c5859/facility-rockstars
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/facility-rockstars-5616662
YouTube: https://youtu.be/OKyOmVGLCPM
Facility Rockstars Newsletter: https://subscribe.kaloutas.com

Facility Rockstars is sponsored by Kaloutas, operating the way you operate in order to make your life easier. Learn more at: https://www.kaloutas.com

Host Jay Culbert welcomes back previous guests Matt Twerdy and Joe Gilliland for a deeper dive into Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).

This episode reinforces the mission to protect workers and cultivate a safety-first culture in all operations.

Takeaways:

Collaborate with Workers Closest to the Work – Involve employees directly engaged in daily operations to better understand challenges and develop practical safety solutions.
Lead with Humility – Foster a culture where leaders value input from all levels, ensuring employees feel respected and heard.
Eliminate Safety Clutter – Simplify procedures by removing unnecessary documentation and focusing on critical safety aspects to keep workers engaged.
Implement Clear, Simple Procedures – Use short, straightforward checklists and guidelines to reduce errors and enhance safety, especially in emergencies.
Encourage Leadership Engagement and Open Conversations – Regularly interact with employees through gemba walks and discussions to uncover risks and improve processes.
Empower Employees to Take the Lead – Promote a leader-leader culture where workers are encouraged to make decisions, suggest improvements, and stop unsafe activities.
Prioritize Psychological Safety – Create a work environment where employees can voice concerns without fear of blame, fostering trust and organizational excellence.

Links:

Matt Twerdy
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-twerdy-mba-csp-chmm-9661132a/
- Website: https://www.collinsaerospace.com/
Joe Gilliland
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-gilliland-544b1611/
- Website: https://www.sanofi.com/en

Shoutouts:

“Turn the Ship Around” by David Marquet: https://davidmarquet.com/turn-the-ship-around-book/
PreAccident Investigation Podcast: https://preaccidentpodcast.podbean.com/
VPP Conference: https://vppregion1.com/2025-safety-health-conference-exhibition/
VPP Speakers: https://vppregion1.com/speakers-presenters-guide/

Ways to Tune In:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0M2XB78b09i5vkWy1eHsxb
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facility-rockstars/id1729458441
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/60bbc4f3-a123-47ca-9a83-eade102c5859/facility-rockstars
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/facility-rockstars-5616662
YouTube: https://youtu.be/OKyOmVGLCPM
Facility Rockstars Newsletter: https://subscribe.kaloutas.com

Facility Rockstars is sponsored by Kaloutas, operating the way you operate in order to make your life easier. Learn more at: https://www.kaloutas.com

Previous Episode

Open Doors and Open Minds: Derek Earp on Teamwork and Transparency

How does transparency and teamwork drive success in facility management?

Derek Earp, Facilities Manager at UG2, talks about the power of open communication, teamwork, and leadership. Derek shares strategies like an open-door policy and group texts, offering real-world examples of collaboration leading to success. He also discusses his transition from engineering to management, the importance of safety protocols, and bridging the gap between IT and operational technology in building management. Plus, Derek reflects on his transformative experience at Mass Maritime Academy.

Takeaways:

Maintain Open Communication: Foster an open-door policy where team members feel comfortable discussing anything at any time, even after hours. This builds trust and ensures a steady communication flow.
Emphasize Teamwork: Make teamwork a core pillar of the organization. Encouraging a team mentality leads to more effective collaboration and goal achievement.
Lead by Example: Model the behaviors and attitudes you expect from your team. Leading by example can help re-engage even the most independent or disengaged employees.
Implement Daily Standup Meetings: Hold short daily meetings to keep the team aligned and focused. This promotes better communication and strengthens team cohesion.
Prioritize Safety: Integrate safety discussions into regular meetings and ensure all team members understand protocols. A strong safety culture helps prevent accidents and promotes well-being.
Leverage Technology: Use tools like group texts and CMMS systems to streamline communication and efficiently manage building operations.
Encourage Continuous Improvement: Foster a growth mindset by seeking new skills and refining processes. Learning from peers and researching equipment can drive ongoing improvement.

Quote of the Show:

“If you make a mistake, own up to it, face it head-on, apologize, learn from it, and move forward.”

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekearp/
Website: https://ug2.com/

Ways to Tune In:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0M2XB78b09i5vkWy1eHsxb
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facility-rockstars/id1729458441
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/60bbc4f3-a123-47ca-9a83-eade102c5859/facility-rockstars
Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/facility-rockstars-5616662
YouTube: https://youtu.be/RvISY81CMUQ
Facility Rockstars Newsletter: https://subscribe.kaloutas.com

Facility Rockstars is sponsored by Kaloutas, operating the way you operate in order to make your life easier. Learn more at: https://www.kaloutas.com

Next Episode

The Intersection of People, Processes, and Production - Eric Schneider - Facility Rockstars - Episode # 058

What does it take to lead a facility team with purpose, precision, and heart?

Eric Schneider is a seasoned professional with over 40 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing and facility management. He shares his approach to solving complex problems through lean Kaizen methods, including the Five S methodology and the use of Maintenance Action Forms (MAFs) to prioritize and track facility issues.

But for Eric, it's not just about process—it's about people. He emphasizes the value of a caring, safety-conscious team and the critical role human connection plays in continuous improvement. From his early days in quality engineering to his current leadership in facility management, Eric reflects on the lessons he’s learned across his career.

He also opens up about his commitment to giving back, from volunteering in his synagogue to leading educational tours for students—proving that great leadership extends far beyond the shop floor.

Takeaways:

Implement the Five S’s: Use the Five S methodology—Sort, Straighten, Sweep, Standardize, and Sustain—to organize and maintain efficient workspaces. Many companies also add a sixth 'S' for Safety, reinforcing a clean and secure environment.
Introduce Maintenance Action Forms (MAFs): Establish a system to document, track, and prioritize maintenance issues. Rank problems by urgency—from "as soon as possible" to "needs further discussion"—to ensure clear communication and prompt resolution.
Foster a Safety Culture: Create a safety committee to conduct monthly walkthroughs and identify potential hazards. Encourage the reporting of near-misses and safety concerns, and include practices like foreign object debris (FOD) checks to enhance workplace safety.
Conduct 'Quote-to-Cash' Tours: Offer tours that showcase the full workflow—from quoting to cash collection—to educate employees and stakeholders. These tours highlight the facilities team’s impact and improve cross-functional understanding.
Use Shadow Trays for Tools: Implement shadow trays to ensure all tools are accounted for daily. This reduces the risk of lost tools becoming safety hazards and supports overall workspace organization aligned with 5S principles.
Promote a Culture of Safety and Care: Cultivate an environment where employees take ownership of safety and operational excellence. Communicate safety priorities regularly, encourage open reporting, and celebrate small wins to maintain motivation.
Schedule Routine Management Walkthroughs: Have management conduct regular walkthroughs to spot inefficiencies or safety concerns. Whether informal (with a notepad) or structured (with scoring systems), these check-ins promote accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.

Quote of the Show:

“ A small success, well publicized or seeing something done well that can be promoted for other people to see. That can go a long way with getting other people on board and realizing they could be hopeful too.”

Links: