Radio Free Tenacity

Strapless, brah. Aaron Skemp’s close collaboration with work crews––including some of the world’s biggest airlines––has helped evolve the fit, function and comfort of knee pads lightyears ahead of what many workers are familiar (and frustrated) with. And the newest work crew collabo erases THE number one complaint. These ain't your grandpa's knee pads, folks.

In this episode you'll get to know:

• How Aaron worked with work crews to eliminate knee protection enemy #1
• How the world of athletics shaped the evolution of this worksite staple
• The ins and outs of the new Proflex 550 Padded Knee Sleeve and 525 Lightweight Knee Sleeve

Featured Guest:
Aaron Skemp, Resident Knee Protection Prodigy, Ergodyne

In September of 2021, the US Department of Labor announced enhanced, expanded measures to protect workers from hazards of extreme heat, indoors and out. Those measures included the launch of a rulemaking process to develop a workplace heat standard and deployment of a National Emphasis Program (NEP). The NEP is the agency's first-ever nationwide enforcement measure specifically targeting heat-related hazards and greenlights heat-related inspections on worksites.

In this episode you'll get to know:

• What an NEP is and its purpose
• What industries are affected by the NEP
• What compliance officers are looking for on heat-related inspections
• How cooling PPE fits in to your plan

Featured Guest:

Alsie Nelson, Heat Stress Hotshot, Ergodyne

Overview

After professional football player Korey Stringer died from complications of heat stroke in August of 2001, his wife Kelci teamed with heat stroke expert Douglas Casa, Ph.D., ATC to form the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut in April, 2010. The institute has identified four “big ticket” items that, if followed, will almost certainly eliminate HRI's and fatalities on the playing field AND the job site. Margaret Morrissey, Director of KSI Laborer Division joins us to talk about those big ticket items and what the future has in store for heat stress prevention.

Show highlights:

· Learn the key components to build your heat stress program around

· Explore how the world of athletics informs heat illness prevention on the job

· Uncover the biggest mistake rookie workers make when working in the heat

· Recognize those most at risk for heat-related illness

· Identify additional prevention measures when water, rest and shade aren't enough

Featured guest:

Margaret Morrissey, Director of Occupational & Military Safety, Korey Stringer Institute; President, National Heat Safety Coalition

Bill Geddings, Sr. Safety Engineer at Zoox, joins the pod! Zoox is an autonomous vehicle company currently headquartered in Foster City, California, founded to make personal transportation safer and cleaner. The company is currently focused on testing on private and public roads as they move towards launching the first Zoox ride-hailing service.

Show highlights:

• The power of continuous improvement
• How next level companies approach safety
• How to leverage safety gear manufacturers as a partner in safety

Featured End User/Guest:

Bill Geddings, Sr. Safety Engineer at Zoox

Overview:

If over a quarter century of America’s Funniest Home Videos has taught us anything, it’s that people fall—a lot. But with falls accounting for over 30,000 deaths in the U.S. each year (the third highest among accidental deaths), it’s not always as funny as Bob Saget, Tom Bergeron, Alfonso Ribiero or *insert dad-joke machine here* make it seem.

The cost of these accidents is steep—with the average disabling claim costing a hefty $28,000. The good news? The right traction device cost just a few bucks to keep you upright and out of harm's way. But choosing the right one is key. Peter Freeberg, ACS Safety Manager at Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport, joins us to discuss the challenges of keeping his crews upright in the frozen north.

Show Highlights:

• How to drive PPE compliance by giving work crews a deeper sense of ownership in the selection process
• How the right ice cleats/traction devices improve safety & productivity
• How the wrong ice cleats/traction devices can actually cause injuries and equipment damage

Featured End User/Guest:

Peter Freeberg, Operations Service Manager, MSP Int’l Airport

As Operations Service Manager for Delta Airlines at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Peter and his team are on the frontline of below-wing operations. Always looking for ways to improve and do the job just plain better, Peter’s team was integral in helping Ergodyne develop the industry’s first true indoor/outdoor spikeless traction device.

Alsie Nelson, Product Director, Ergodyne

Alsie leads the development of products that combat temperature stress, including cooling PPE and winter work gear. Her dedication to mitigating the risk of temperature stress on the job has helped propel Ergodyne into one of the most respected thought leaders in the category.