Larry Wilson Live: Conversations with Real Safety Experts

In this episode, Larry Wilson and Cristian Sylvestre explore the many philosophies competing for attention in safety today—Safety Differently, HOP, 1% Safer, the New View, and more. Beyond comparing these approaches, they uncover a missing piece in safety: the role of the subconscious mind. While most strategies focus on conscious decision-making, the real opportunity lies in training the subconscious to detect risks, stay attentive, and prevent incidents. This candid conversation helps safety professionals cut through the noise and see what really makes a difference.Cristian Sylvestre is the Founder and Managing Director of HabitSafe, where he applies neuroscience to help organizations reduce workplace incidents by tackling one of the biggest overlooked issues in safety: inattention. With over 35 years of experience in safety and more than 20 years of research into human behaviour, Cristian has trained over 30,000 people and authored "Third Generation Safety: The Missing Piece – Using Neuroscience to Enable Personal Safety." His blame-free, practical approach gives leaders and teams tools to detect the causes of inattention and build safer habits—at work and beyond.

Corrie is the CEO and Founder of Safemap International. He began his career in human resources, progressing to Group Risk Manager at Billiton (now BHP), where he developed essential safety‑performance strategies for a 120,000‑strong workforce across 65 mining and industrial sites. Since founding Safemap in 1994, he has consulted internationally across industries—from mining and utilities to defence, construction, and energy—partnering with companies such as Southern Company, International Paper, and Nike. Corrie's Thought Leadership and Career Highlights:A pioneering voice on Safety I vs. Safety II integration, advocating for systems that respect human potential and resilience while preventing serious injuries and fatalities.Developed SAFEmap’s concept of risk competence, reframing humans as dynamic risk managers rather than the “weakest link” in safety chains.Led cultural safety transformations—such as Southern Company's shift from TRIR‑based incentives to proactive learning and psychological safety—resulting in deeper trust, better reporting, and reduced serious incidents.

Tim does it again! He holds the prestigious title of "most listened to episode" with his first appearance on Larry Wilson Live , and his second time on the show does not disappoint! Our 30th episode features the one, the only, Tim Page-Bottorff!Episode Description:An older and somewhat bitter gentleman stood up and proclaimed, “There’s nothing funny about people getting seriously hurt!” and then he wagged a menacing finger at the group…True, but you don’t learn much when you’re sound asleep either. So how do you inject humor into your safety training so it’s entertaining, worth listening to, and you don’t cross the line or somehow appear disrespectful to important rules, procedures, checklists, permits and PPE standards? It can be a difficult balancing act. You need to be serious but you will definitely turn people off with too much “doom and gloom,” not to mention that scare tactics don’t really work or work for very long.Tim Page-Bottorff is an expert at bringing humor into his safety presentations, and he’s been doing this for over 20 years. His keynote presentation: “Humor in Safety” has been done at over 100 safety conferences in North America, Africa, the Middle East and Europe, which is interesting considering that Tim isn’t really very funny (just kidding).

Larry Wilson Live with Alejandro Jaramillo“Capturing Hearts and Minds” has been the goal for so many EHS professionals, and also for the companies they work for. The “why” is obvious, but how exactly do you do this? How can you get all of the employees to buy in, to take the safety message to heart-and, perhaps more importantly - to keep safety top of mind, without letting complacency creep in? There are lots of theories, but only so many organizations have ever been able to make it all work in reality.  Alejandro and Etex in Latin America have been able to do it, and they’ve been able to do it with “style”. Their employees even made a music video that involves the families (which we will show you). However, it’s more than fun and engagement: They have had a 75% decrease in injuries and injury severity for over 7 years. But it’s really the change in the safety culture that is so impressive. Tune in to find out how they did it!

Larry Wilson Live with Chris Ross"The Power of Positive Messaging"Imagine increasing your sales by 400% just by changing a sign to say, “Remember the Ice” instead of don’t forget the ice? Such small changes, from negative to positive, can have a surprisingly big impact, and the good news is it doesn’t cost much! Unfortunately, far too many safety messages are framed negatively. Moreover, far too much emphasis has been placed on what workers are doing wrong or unsafely. But most workers, most drivers or most people for that matter do much more right (safely) than what they do wrong (unsafely). The power of positive reinforcement can change an entire company’s culture. The “trick” is how to do it effectively. It is possible, provided you know how to do it. Chris Ross is an expert in training first-line supervisors this skill. You'll be happy you joined us for this optimistic episode!

Larry Wilson Live with Jack Jackson"Influence vs. Control — The Power of Storytelling"Controls are necessary but limited by time and proximity. Influence is not even limited by jurisdiction, but it can be more difficult. Storytelling, or being able to tell a good story that demonstrates values in action or teaches a lesson, can have a powerful influence on people.Jack Jackson is a masterful storyteller. I’ll never forget the first time I heard Jack speak. He was telling the “dock plate story”. It’s not his funniest, but the most powerful. His funniest story is the “Walmart Story”. (Don’t worry, I’ll get him to tell it.)In this episode, Jack explains how to tell a good story, what to leave in, what to leave out, and when to use different kinds of stories. It is educational and informative, but also one of the most (if not the most) entertaining episodes ever. 

Separating The Wheat from the Chaff with Dave Johnson, Editor ISHN - Industrial Safety and Hygiene NewsDave has been in the field for over 30 years. He has seen many things come and go. He has seen what’s worked or has had enough substance (wheat) to make it around the globe. He has also seen many many supposedly great ideas launched with bright lights and big expectations fizzle out in less than two years (chaff).So, Dave has had a unique look at almost ALL the programs, processes and initiatives put forth. But he’s also had unique access to the people behind the new ideas: who they are and what they stand for. That alone is well worth listening to. However, Dave also has a serious warning for all the safety professionals out there in terms of their attitude or perspective about the “next big thing” - and it’s not what you’d expect. So, please join us February 17, at 1:00pm (eastern)About Dave:Dave is the owner of Dave Johnson's Writing Shop and a B2B magazine chief editor, writer, reporter, researcher, analyst, public speaker (120+ presentations) for 40 years. He’s naturally curious and enjoys establishing relationships with many sources and columnists in his journalism work. He’s conducted interviews with scores of subject matter experts.Dave launched the web site for Industrial Safety & Hygiene News magazine in 1995, and supervised web content, news, features, thought leadership blogs and social media platforms.His subject matter specialties:- Industrial safety equipment (PPE), industrial hygiene equipment, facility safety equipment- Environmental Health and Safety critical issues and trends- New safety technology, wearables, mobile devices, software, smart PPE, smart LOTO, smart confined space entry- All things relating to the connected worker and the connected workplace- Health and wellness -- with a specialization in mental health issues- Organizational management and culture- Safety leadership- Serious injuries and fatalities- Psychology of human behavior

Managing contractors to zero (SIFs) without a big stick."Like anybody else, I didn't start off as the president of IOSH" Jimmy said, "more like in the trenches."Almost immediately, I felt totally comfortable. He was low-key, easy to listen to - and when he told me about some of the amazing accomplishments he has achieved in construction and how he did it... that's where the idea for the title came from.As mentioned, the results were impressive: from mega projects in the billions to smaller projects that easily fall under the radar of inspectors, every one managed to zero serious harm. But to do it all with positive engagement and a limited budget, even with a permanent workforce, is impressive. But to do it with a transient workforce of sub-contractors and sub-sub-contractors is, well... hard to believe, until you listen to him and hear how he did it. We will also talk about IOSH and the current initiatives they are working on. But mostly it will be about how to do it - without a big stick.About James Quinn:James is a well-motivated, proactive HSE Manager, CMIOSH and an expert with strong leadership and management skills, with a strong strategic vision. Disciplined and tenacious with the ability to drive and coach others, to excel in an environment where demanding targets and quality of work is expected to be of the highest standards.Having a significant level of experience in the development of bespoke HSE management systems, James is always working to current legislation and completing management reviews of current policies, systems and procedures in line with legal requirements and industry best practice.James through collaborative working with a thorough knowledge of international best practice and HSE auditing of OHSAS 18001/ISO 14001 compliance can also be considered to be one of the best in his field in the Gulf region. James was also part of the consultation group for the certification to the new Asset Management Systems standard, ISO 55001.James has been described as an “intelligent and pragmatic HSE leader who understands the complexities of safety and managerial processes”. He has a Masters in Strategic Management and Leadership and a Post Graduate Diploma teaching Further Education, James is well travelled with responsibilities (current and past) worldwide and an understanding of diverse cultures and environments.Professional membership of IOSH, CMI, CIOB, and the former IOSH Middle East Committee member lead for IPD/CPD, IOSH council member and IOSH President Elect, supporting the IOSH President as part of the Presidential Team before taking his office as President in October 2020.

Larry Wilson Live with Pete Batrowny - Engaging Frontline Supervisors: Techniques that Work in the Real World...We all know the first line supervisor is key to so many things.But what is the best way to develop or improve this group: classroom training, virtual or remote training or one on one?If you promote from within should the new supervisor be with a new crew?How much training, just on health and safety, should a company be considering for new frontline supervisors?And what about their leadership-how does middle management factor in?So many questions, and only so many people who have been there and can answer them from a practical vs. a theoretical perspective.Peter Batrowny is one of those people. He has had lots of hands on experience training and coaching first line supervisors. Perhaps more than anyone I know. This is not to say that you will necessarily agree with everything Peter says. But he will have an answer based on experience and he can tell you how well it worked.He can also tell you whether he would do it again the same way if he could go back.

Although many safety professionals are aware of the latest brain science. Unfortunately, far too many still don’t know what to do with it.“So they acknowledge it, and then go back to the paradigm of deliberate decision making being the main problem, not the subconscious, or they gravitate back to the ‘system’ and trying to improve the safety management system or administration or the engineering, etc. They’re still trying to improve the conscious mind- when we now know that 95% of our behaviour is habitual or in the realm of our subconscious mind.”And when Cristian said that on a call a few weeks ago, I had to agree.Lots of interest in the neuroscience - from safety professionals all over the world - but little change as a result…So the first step is to understand how our brain works when we are rushed, frustrated, tired or complacent.The second step is how to apply it to actually improve things significantly.And the third step is how to sustain it.Which, in the end-pardon the pun-will be the most significant factor.About Cristian:Cristian’s 25-year safety career started in chemical manufacturing and then moved to the oil and gas industry.In this heavy processing environment, he quickly learned that there are different types of safety and different ways to think about each one.As a professional chemical engineer and having completed a Masters, he is trained to analyse complex problems and to use evidence-based science to deliver the simplest solutions that achieve positive safety outcomes.His main field of interest is minimizing inattention, something that is in play in 95% of incidents and traditional safety has largely ignored.He got interested in brain science about 10 years ago and wrote a book “Third Generation Safety: The Missing Piece – Using Neuroscience to Enable Personal Safety” to help people understand how inattention comes about and what we can be done about it.