Safety Experts Podcast

Because safety is more than just a policy, practice, or personal protective equipment, the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast hosted by Peter Koch will interview industry leaders every two weeks on the trends, tools, and techniques that are tried, tested, or emerging in the world of workplace safety. What you learn could save your life or the life of a friend or coworker, or at least save everyone from a few unnecessary cuts, burns and bruises. Thank you for your joining us in our mission to make work, and the world, a safer place.

Episodes are available right here, on Apple Podcasts, Google PodcastsSpotify, and your smart speaker. Have a question, comment or idea for the show? We would love to hear from you, contact us at podcast@memic.com.

Get insights from industry leaders on the trends, tools, and techniques that are tried, tested, or emerging in the world of workplace safety.


Because safety is more than just policies, practices, and personal protective equipment, the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, hosted by Peter Koch, will interview industry leaders on the trends, tools, and techniques that are tried, tested, or emerging in the world of workplace safety.

Bath Iron Works and VR Training - How Maine's Shipbuilders are Safely Learning the Trades with Glen Hilt
Episode #112 | Published December 21, 2023

Many studies have been conducted to determine the efficacy of Virtual Reality (VR) as an educational tool. Results indicate that learning in a VR environment leads to higher rates of retention and recall when compared to computer-based learning. These engaging and controlled environments also allow tradespeople to gain experience in a safe, and cost-effective manner while simultaneously developing requisite skills and muscle memory.

On this episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, I sit down with Glen Hilt of Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, as we discuss how they are training the next generation of shipbuilders using this new, cutting-edge technology.


Getting the most out of your pre-hiring process with Mark Walker and Luke Slabaugh from SaferHire
Episode #115 | Published March 11, 2024

Having the right hiring practices is critical for building an effective, productive, and safe team that will attract other quality candidates. In this episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, I speak with Mark Walker and Luck Slabaugh of Safer Hire about using pre-hire surveys to identify applicants who best fit your company's needs and culture.


Workplace Athletes with Kelly Feldkamp
Episode #113 | Published January 1, 2024

Work, no matter what the work can be physically taxing. That work can be at home in the yard or garden, working on the car or the place you live, or caring for kids and family. Or it can be in the workplace – in the office, on the factory floor, on the construction site, in the lab, or on the manufacturing line. No matter where it is, that work can be hard physically and mentally, the trades especially.

On this episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, I'm joined by Kelly Feldkamp of ProVention Plus, a woman-owned family business that is passionate about helping people move and feel better.


Slip Trip and Fall Prevention with Tim McCarty
Episode #114 | Published January 15, 2024

Slip and fall exposures exist everywhere and can easily be overlooked in the workplace until someone is injured.


Wink, Wink, Nudge, Nudge - How to Effect Choice Architecture In Safety with Dr. Julie Sorenson Part II
Episode #90 | Published February 2, 2023

Behavioral economics looks at how the decisions we make are influenced by our human cognitive processes. While there are many ways to impact choices, social marketing and nudging are two that can be implemented on the workplace safety front. On today’s episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast we have part two of my conversation with the Director of the Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety, Dr. Julie Sorenson about how a simple nudge can help change the architecture of choice.in workplace safety.


Safe Patient Handling and Its Role in Physical and Occupational Therapy with Susan Diffenderfer
Episode #91 | Published February 13, 2023

Did you know that the average OSHA Voluntary Protection Program worksite has a lost workday incidence rate at least 50 percent below the average of its industry? Curious about what it’s like to go through the VPP process? On today’s episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast, Bob Thompson, former employee of a chemical manufacturer shares his experience of working on the volunteer team that brought the chemical plant into VPP compliance.


Rethinking Your Workplace Stretching Program with Clayton Cartwright - Part I
Episode #92 | Published February 27, 2023

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that in 2020 there were nearly a quarter million work related musculoskeletal injuries that resulted in days away from work with the average number of days away being 14. Statistics also show that warming up properly can also increase performance and reduce the potential for injuries during physical activity. On today’s episode of the MEMIC Safety Experts Podcast Clayton Cartwright, Physical Therapist and Safety Management Consultant with MEMIC and I stretch the classic definition of a workplace stretching program and explore the benefits of one that is well executed.


OSHA Recordkeeping Updates with Stephen Badger

Wink, Wink, Nudge, Nudge - How to Effect Choice Architecture In Safety with Dr. Julie Sorenson