Welcome to the Safety Consultant Show! In this episode, Sheldon Primus is joined by Alan Gervais, Director of Safety and Compliance and author of The Practical Guide to Managing OSHA Inspections. If you have ever felt the anxiety of an impending audit or struggled to navigate the complexities of Process Safety Management, this conversation is for you.

Alan shares his incredible journey from a maintenance worker to a safety leader, including a harrowing story of an arc flash incident that led to his very first OSHA inspection. You will learn why he decided to compile ten years of notes into a comprehensive guide designed to help employers and safety professionals take control of the inspection process.

We dive deep into the nuances of CalOSHA, the importance of professional conduct during informal conferences, and practical strategies for negotiating fine reductions. Alan also shares how he uses modern tools like AI to game plan safety strategies while maintaining the critical human element of decision-making. Whether you are a seasoned consultant or a new manager, these insights will help you protect your workers and your organization more effectively.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction to the Safety Consultant Show
2:15 Alan Gervais's Journey into Safety
5:30 Understanding Process Safety Management and PSM
8:45 The 2017 Arc Flash Incident and First Inspection
13:10 Navigating Frequent OSHA Inspections in California
16:45 Writing the Practical Guide to Managing OSHA Inspections
20:20 Shifting from Survival to Active Management
23:50 Tips for Professional Informal Conferences
27:15 Strategies for Fine Reduction and Negotiation
32:00 The Role of AI in Safety Compliance and Research
38:30 Case Study: Using AI for Informal Conference Preparation
42:15 Where to Find the Book and Connect with Alan
44:00 Final Thoughts and Safety FM Outro

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the channel and hit the notification bell for more safety business brilliance. You can find Alan’s book on Amazon and connect with him on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.

Alan Gervais | Author & Safety Professional

Alan Gervais is the Director of Safety & Compliance and author of The Practical Guide to Managing OSHA Inspections. His career spans more than 20 years, beginning with hands-on work in construction before transitioning into industrial refrigeration, maintenance, operations, and workplace safety.

His path into safety wasn't something he originally planned. It was shaped by experience, unexpected opportunities, and mentors who generously shared their knowledge.

Holding multiple certifications including COSS and CSHO, Alan is passionate about helping others become more confident and prepared by sharing lessons learned through real-world experience.

He continues to embrace a philosophy passed down by his mentors: Keep Paying It Forward.

#OSHA #SafetyConsultant #WorkplaceSafety #SafetyManagement #PSM

Alan's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Guide-Managing-OSHA-Inspections/dp/B0HL9L426W/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HK6GQBVFAYVZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8Mcf6wB2Xb89s2rsUcBZghzRsijBkfll-smAbIzrdQcz854TkOmjRE8gQayYfz4g95xxE38rJ7QZw1JIWrG6mKUwL7z_Zg-lr8bRi0rXDMM.Wmvnj33h39O7f5nk-XuLVaDErLoPxJ14HJvaLxRX590&dib_tag=se&keywords=alan+gervais&qid=1791638232&s=books&sprefix=%2Cstripbooks%2C143&sr=1-1

Are you ready to bridge the gap between traditional safety compliance and the cutting-edge world of artificial intelligence? In this episode, Sheldon Primus sits down with Hillary Waterhouse to explore how AI is reshaping the landscape for safety consultants and industrial hygienists. From OSHA litigation support to the latest trends in EHS technology, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for safety professionals.

We begin by diving into Hillary's extensive background as a former OSHA compliance officer in New York and Georgia, offering a rare look at how to navigate informal conferences and agency interactions. The heart of the discussion focuses on a recent industry survey regarding AI adoption in the workplace. You will learn which tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot are leading the pack and how they can be used to manage heavy administrative workloads without sacrificing technical accuracy.

Hillary and Sheldon also tackle the critical topic of AI ethics and the human in the loop philosophy. They discuss why AI should be treated as a highly capable intern rather than a final decision-maker, especially when dealing with high-hazard scenarios like process safety management. Whether you are curious about the future of technical writing or looking for ways to get back into the field by automating paperwork, this episode provides the roadmap you need to elevate your safety game.

Chapters
0:00 Intro and Welcome to the Safety Consultant Show
3:15 Introducing Hillary Waterhouse and Her Background
7:40 Working with OSHA in New York and Georgia
11:50 Strategies for OSHA Informal Conferences
16:15 The Direction of the Agency and New Programs
21:30 VPP SHARP and the Safety Champion Initiative
26:45 Mental Health and Psychosocial Hazards in Construction
31:20 The Genesis of the EHS AI Questionnaire
36:10 Analyzing Survey Demographics and Industry Use
40:45 Comparing ChatGPT Gemini and Copilot for EHS
45:30 Testing AI Confidence and Avoiding Hallucinations
50:15 AI as a Team Member vs Decision Maker
55:40 Effective Prompting for Industrial Hygienists
1:00:20 Technical Writing and AI Ethics Codes
1:05:10 Organizational Governance and AI Audits
1:09:45 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Safety Events
1:12:18 Closing Remarks

If you enjoyed this deep dive into the future of safety consulting, please subscribe to the channel and hit the notification bell. Visit our website for more resources on building your safety business and staying ahead of the curve!

#safetyconsultant #oshacompliance #industrialhygiene #aiinsafety #ehsmanagement

My website: http://www.sheldonprimus.com/

Are you ready to revolutionize your safety consulting business with the power of artificial intelligence? In this episode, Sheldon Primus breaks down how AI is transforming the EHS field and why you need to treat it as a high level mentee rather than a replacement for your expertise. Learn how to stay ahead of the curve by integrating these cutting edge tools into your daily workflow while maintaining the highest ethical standards.

Sheldon explores the practical side of AI for Environmental Health and Safety professionals. He discusses the importance of fairness, transparency, and accountability when using generative models. You will discover how to use AI for copywriting safety messages, creating sample programs, and even conducting deep dives into incident investigations. The episode also highlights advanced techniques like using AI to compare your current safety manuals against the latest OSHA regulations to ensure total compliance.

Whether you are a seasoned pro or a fresh face in the industry, this guide will help you navigate the future of safety technology. Sheldon also shares details about his upcoming AI for EHS workshop and how you can use tools like Gemini to streamline your business operations.

Chapters
0:00 Welcome to the Safety Consultant Show
2:15 Upcoming Guest and AI Workshop Details
5:45 Recap of AI for EHS Basics
8:30 Ethics Fairness and Accountability in AI
12:00 How to Join the Safety Consultant Community
15:15 Managing Your Time with AI as a Team Member
18:30 Using the SMART Acronym for Better AI Prompts
21:45 Hazard Recognition and Incident Investigation
24:30 Building a Profitable Consulting Business
27:15 Advanced AI for Policies and Regulations
31:00 OSHA Audits and Image Recognition Tools
34:15 Final Resources and Event Links
36:44 Outro and Closing Remarks

Don't forget to subscribe to the channel and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode. Join our Facebook group or connect with Sheldon on LinkedIn to continue the conversation and grow your safety career.

#SafetyConsultant #AIinEHS #OSHACompliance #SafetyManagement #WorkplaceSafety

My website: http://www.sheldonprimus.com/