Blog

At a Glance: Zero recordables cannot predict safety because they measure outcomes, not exposure. A site can look calm while high energy hazards, variability, drift, and weak signals quietly increase risk. Serious harm comes from STKY hazards that do not show up in injury logs. Real safety comes from strong controls, verified capacity, and honest learning about how work actually happens. Leaders often celebrate zero recordables as proof that a site is safe. It feels like a clear signal that sys

Brady Keene

December 3, 2025·3 min read

At a glance: Compliance creates the appearance of control because it is measurable and familiar. But true safety performance depends on understanding how work actually happens, not just how it is written. Organizations that treat compliance as the definition of safety often miss the early signals of risk. What Compliance Really Means in Safety Management In most environmental health and safety programs, compliance is the foundation. Training is completed, inspections are passed, and documenta

Brady Keene

November 4, 2025·4 min read

At a glance: Near misses are often brushed aside because no one gets hurt. They are not noise. They are signals that show where a safety system is thin. When treated as a checkbox, near misses are lagging indicators that describe what almost happened. When used for learning and action, they become leading indicators that help prevent serious injuries and fatalities. The event itself does not determine which they become, the response does. What is a Near Miss A near miss is any unplanned event

Brady Keene

October 30, 2025·3 min read

At a Glance: A federal government shutdown doesn’t just disrupt services, it strains the very systems meant to guard worker safety. While OSHA may continue only the most critical enforcement, most inspections, consultations, rulemaking, and oversight grind to a halt. That gap in oversight creates blind spots and risk for employers, workers, and contractors alike. Why the Shutdown Matters for Safety When federal funds lapse, many non-essential government operations are paused under the Antidef

Brady Keene

October 6, 2025·3 min read

At a glance: STKY (‘Shit That Kills You’) is a blunt way to name the hazards that matter most. Minor injuries hurt, but they rarely end lives. STKY hazards come from high-energy sources like gravity, motion, electricity, pressure, temperature, chemicals, and biological agents. When released without control, they kill. STKY shifts the focus from counting injuries to confronting the forces that change lives forever. Why STKY matters Cuts, sprains, and strains matter. They cause pain, disrupt wo

Brady Keene

October 1, 2025·2 min read

At a glance: Energy-based safety shifts the focus from counting incidents to recognizing and controlling the forces that cause serious harm. Research shows workers naturally identify fewer than half of hazards in pre-job briefs. The Energy Wheel improves recognition by about 30% by making hazardous energy explicit. High-Energy Control Assessment (HECA) then measures whether those hazards are controlled with safeguards that remain effective even when people make mistakes. Together, these methods

Brady Keene

September 30, 2025·3 min read

At a Glance: Preventing serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs) starts with recognizing the warning signs that show up long before an event. These signals, called SIF precursors, often reveal when controls are weakening or when work is drifting under pressure. By learning to spot precursors, and by using AI to surface patterns that humans miss, organizations can shift from reacting to incidents to preventing them. What Are SIF Precursors? A precursor is an early warning sign. Think of it as a

Brady Keene

September 22, 2025·3 min read

At a glance An introduction to SIFs. Focus on high-energy hazards, not minor injuries. Spot precursors like shortcuts, repeats, and fatigue. Build capacity instead of blame with real controls that hold under pressure. Measure leading indicators like closure time, verification, and exposure trends. Use AI to surface patterns early so crews act before conditions line up with serious harm. What is a SIF? A serious injury or illness is one that poses an immediate threat to life or, if not quickly

Brady Keene

September 19, 2025·4 min read

Inspections protect people only when the outcome is hazard control. The goal is not more boxes checked. The goal is better decisions on the floor and in the field. Use these four moves to upgrade your inspection process this week. At a glance: focus on high energy hazards. Capture evidence in the flow of work. Assign owners with due dates and verify completion. Turn findings into learning that prevents repeats. 1 - Prioritize high energy hazards Serious harm comes from high energy exposures.

Brady Keene

September 16, 2025·2 min read