EPU11: How to Start Difficult Safety Conversations
Tue, 6/2: 2:30 PM - 2:55 PM CDT
Pop-Up Education Sessions
Pop-Up Education Sessions
Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center
Room: Exhibit Hall, Booth 516
Description
Industrial hygienists are highly skilled at identifying hazards, evaluating exposures, and recommending controls; however, many occupational and environmental health risks persist not because of technical uncertainty, but because the conversations required to address them are delayed, avoided, or ineffective. Industrial hygienists are frequently asked to influence decisions in environments shaped by production pressure, organizational hierarchy, and long-standing work practices, conditions that make safety conversations particularly challenging.
This session focuses on how industrial hygienists can initiate difficult safety conversations with confidence and purpose. The session emphasizes practical risk communication skills that complement technical IH expertise, with specific attention to how conversation openers influence engagement, defensiveness, and decision-making.
Attendees will learn how to recognize the factors that make safety conversations difficult, select conversation approaches appropriate to the situation, and clearly communicate risk without defaulting to enforcement or regulatory language.
The presentation includes field-tested conversation frameworks and industry-specific examples relevant to industrial hygiene practice in construction, manufacturing, and healthcare settings. Scenarios address common IH challenges such as normalized exposure risk, delayed health effects, conflicting operational priorities, authority gradients, and post-incident or near-miss discussions. Emphasis is placed on separating people from hazards, framing discussions around exposure and consequence, and maintaining professional credibility while influencing change.
Participants will receive a one-page Safety Conversation Cheat Sheet developed specifically for OEHS professionals. This resource includes universal and industry-specific conversation openers, guidance on when to use curiosity-based versus direct approaches, and common communication pitfalls that can undermine IH recommendations. The tool is designed for immediate application during exposure assessments, field observations, incident investigations, and discussions with supervisors and leadership.
This session is intended for industrial hygienists and OEHS professionals seeking to strengthen their ability to translate technical findings into effective action through clear, respectful, and impactful communication.
This session focuses on how industrial hygienists can initiate difficult safety conversations with confidence and purpose. The session emphasizes practical risk communication skills that complement technical IH expertise, with specific attention to how conversation openers influence engagement, defensiveness, and decision-making.
Attendees will learn how to recognize the factors that make safety conversations difficult, select conversation approaches appropriate to the situation, and clearly communicate risk without defaulting to enforcement or regulatory language.
The presentation includes field-tested conversation frameworks and industry-specific examples relevant to industrial hygiene practice in construction, manufacturing, and healthcare settings. Scenarios address common IH challenges such as normalized exposure risk, delayed health effects, conflicting operational priorities, authority gradients, and post-incident or near-miss discussions. Emphasis is placed on separating people from hazards, framing discussions around exposure and consequence, and maintaining professional credibility while influencing change.
Participants will receive a one-page Safety Conversation Cheat Sheet developed specifically for OEHS professionals. This resource includes universal and industry-specific conversation openers, guidance on when to use curiosity-based versus direct approaches, and common communication pitfalls that can undermine IH recommendations. The tool is designed for immediate application during exposure assessments, field observations, incident investigations, and discussions with supervisors and leadership.
This session is intended for industrial hygienists and OEHS professionals seeking to strengthen their ability to translate technical findings into effective action through clear, respectful, and impactful communication.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the session, the participant will be able to:
• Apply context-appropriate risk communication strategies, including the use of targeted conversation openers, to initiate difficult safety discussions that address occupational and environmental health risks and influence decision-making in construction, manufacturing, and healthcare settings.
• Apply context-appropriate risk communication strategies, including the use of targeted conversation openers, to initiate difficult safety discussions that address occupational and environmental health risks and influence decision-making in construction, manufacturing, and healthcare settings.
Core Competencies
IH/OH Program Management
Risk Communication
Safety
Keywords
Consulting
Education and training
Hazard Communication
Risk assessment and management
Safety
Session Availability
In-person
OnDemand
Targeted Audience
Professional