Shows
IOSH podcastStories and strategies for OSH careersKellie Williams hosts IOSH future leaders Danielle Thorburn and Jessica Edwards. Danielle, with a background in veterinary science, transitioned into bio safety management at the Crick Institute, where she stayed for nine years. Jessica, initially in health and safety by chance, emphasises the importance of soft skills such as listening and empathy. For the next half an hour, listen to them discuss the rewarding yet challenging aspects of their careers, including navigating legal terminology and adapting to new roles, while highlighting the value of qualifications, and the importance of mentorship and continuous learning. Danielle aims to increase women's involvement...2025-04-0240 min
Leading Through Uncertainty108: Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher on adaptability and challenges as the CEO of IOSHSend us a textVanessa Harwood-Whitcher is the Chief Executive of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Vanessa shares insights into IOSH's mission to promote global occupational safety and health standards, emphasizing the importance of proportionate risk management. But don’t let the topic of health and safety put you off. Prepare to be engaged and inspired as you listen to Vanessa share her experience of leading an organisation that many might consider uninteresting. Vanessa clearly isn’t! Vanessa is a fantastic leader who shares her leadership approach, highlighting the balance betwee...2025-03-2536 min
IOSH podcastWhat is employee engagement? (and how to boost it)In the second episode of this new series on thought leadership, IOSH's Dr Chris Davis discusses the concept of worker engagement, its relationship with burnout, and the importance of fostering a positive work environment. He explores the theoretical background of engagement, its organisational benefits, and the challenges of measuring it, especially in hybrid work settings. The conversation emphasises the role of leadership and job design in enhancing engagement and the need for sustainable interventions to maintain worker motivation and productivity, with some key takeaways for OSH professionals.2025-03-1339 min
Safety And Risk SuccessIOSH President Kelly Nicoll’s Year Ahead in Safety Leading the world’s largest health and safety organisation takes more than just expertise, it takes passion, purpose, and a deep commitment to protecting people. For IOSH President Kelly Nicoll, that commitment is personal. After witnessing the devastating impact of workplace accidents, she’s on a mission to drive meaningful change and reshape how we think about safety. I sat down with Kelly to discuss her vision for the year ahead, including her top priorities: tackling the risks of working at height, promoting coaching as a key leadership skill, and addressing the well-being of safety professionals themselves. The...2025-02-2859 min
IOSH podcastIOSH president Kelly Nicoll Part 2: A vibrant career in OSHIn the final part of our interview, new IOSH president Kelly Nicoll explains why she's passionate about telling the story of the true value of OSH and why the profession makes for an excellent career choice.2025-01-2425 min
IOSH podcastIOSH president Kelly Nicoll Part 1: influences and priorities for the year aheadIn part 1 of our interview, new IOSH president Kelly Nicoll sits down with us to discuss why her presidential year will be deeply influenced by her personal experiences, which have shaped her priorities for the OSH profession.2025-01-1423 min
IOSH podcastThe World of Wellbeing: advice for OSH practitionersIn this episode, Dr Chris Davis discusses the multifaceted concept of workplace wellbeing, emphasising its importance in creating a supportive work environment. He explores the definition of wellbeing, the significance of psychosocial risks, insights from the OECD forum, challenges in measuring wellbeing, and the ethical considerations surrounding surveillance. The conversation also touches on the impact of hybrid working, future trends in workplace wellbeing, and the necessity for organisations to prioritise employee wellbeing to attract and retain talent.TakeawaysWellbeing encompasses all aspects of life, not just work.Safety and health are core components...2024-11-2835 min
IOSH podcastFuture Leaders: Can anyone enter OSH?In this episode of the IOSH Podcast, two members of the IOSH Future Leaders Steering Group, Debbie Linzell and Abhijith Jose, discuss their career transitions into occupational health and safety.Debbie, originally a dancer, shifted to OSH after an injury and now holds a NEBOSH certificate and is pursuing a Level 7 apprenticeship. Abhijith, a mechanical engineer, transitioned to OSH through safety training and now works as a full-time trainer.Both emphasise the importance of qualifications and certification, and highlight the value of networking, particularly through LinkedIn and IOSH mentoring. They also discuss the diverse backgrounds...2024-10-2413 min
IOSH podcastTrailblazer Talks: OSH's role in social sustainabilityWhat does it mean to be socially sustainable in the the world of OSH? What role do OSH professionals play when creating a work culture where social sustainability is at its core? Hear from Kelly Nicoll, IOSH President-Elect, and Richard Bate, IOSH Vice President on their experiences around social sustainability.2024-09-2734 min
IOSH podcastTrailblazer Talks: the growth in climate-related riskUndoubtedly, adapting to climate change is becoming an increasingly critical factor within the realm of occupational safety and health (OSH). Inevitably, as our environment undergoes changes, it will have consequences for the safety and health of workers, which will result in new hazards or increased risks. Ruth Wilkinson, head of policy and public affairs at IOSH, and Mike Whiting, certification and compliance engineer at Newmac Ltd, look at the impact of climate change on OSH and provide insights on what we must consider at present to ensure the safety of our workers.2024-09-2020 min
IOSH podcastTrailblazer Talks: 50 years of the Health and Safety at Work Act – the good, the bad and the uglyFormer chief inspector Kevin Myers and staunch campaigner Janet Newsham debate the usefulness of the Health and Safety at Work Act as it reaches its 50th anniversary. Reflecting on the impact this legislation has had, we question its relevance and impact on today’s constantly evolving work environment.2024-09-1329 min
IOSH podcastFuture Leaders: the benefits of mentoringIn this episode, IOSH’s Future Leaders Alanah Campbell and Carly Hughes share their experience of mentoring, discussing the benefits and the pitfalls to look out for.2024-09-0931 min
IOSH podcastTrailblazer Talks: unlocking the potential of workers with ADHDProfessor James Brown, co-founder of ADHDAdultUK, stops by the IOSH Podcast booth at the Health and Safety Event in Birmingham to explain how employers can unlock the potential of workers with ADHD.2024-09-0333 min
IOSH podcastTrailblazer Talks: AI for worker managementAlgorithmic management is a technology that can be utilised to manage workers, but what effect does this have on work culture, especially where employees may see it as a threat to their psychological safety and autonomy? Special guests Andrew Mawson (EVCargo) and Tess Buckley (TechUK) explore the risks and opportunities of AI for worker management in the world of OSH. 2024-08-2731 min
IOSH podcastTrailblazer Talks: professional ethicsThis interview explores the distinction between simple ethics and applied and professional ethics and how this can empower the profession to fulfil our ethical responsibilities. Featuring Leeds University's Jim Baxter and Simon Cassin from Ouch Learning and Development.2024-08-2050 min
IOSH podcastTrailblazer Talks: the future world of workSpecial guests James Pomeroy and Bridget Leathley join us to discuss the challenges and opportunities the future world of work holds, and what this could mean for the OSH profession and the workforces it looks after.2024-08-1328 min