How a Near Miss Led to a Better Process with Kyle Hunter
Kyle Hunter, Head of Sales and System Specialist with CheckProof, joins Emily to share a gripping safety story from early in his career working at a quarry. When a medical emergency struck and a coworker experienced chest pains, the team quickly realized a serious gap in their safety plan: they knew an AED was on-site, but nobody knew exactly where it was.
This episode explores how to turn a near miss into a life-saving system. Kyle details the internal deep-dive his team conducted to overhaul their emergency preparedness. From standardizing defibrillator kits with essential supporting tools to implementing weekly inspections and assigning specific roles during crises, Kyle shares actionable steps any site can take to ensure they are actively ready for the unexpected, rather than just compliant on paper.
Main Themes:
Turning a near miss or close call into a catalyst for systemic safety improvements.
The critical difference between simply having safety equipment on-site and actually being prepared to use it.
Building a comprehensive emergency kit that accounts for environmental factors (e.g., adding shears, ground sheets, and razors to AED stations).
Establishing routine maintenance and inspection processes to ensure batteries and pads are always in-date and ready.
Conducting safety drills and assigning specific emergency roles to eliminate confusion and panic during a crisis.
Toolbox Talk Discussion Questions:
In this episode, Emily and Kyle discuss how a near miss with a medical event at a quarry led them to examine their safety process. How do near misses and close calls highlight where safety processes need improvement?
This episode points out that it's not enough to know that there's an AED at your site; you also have to know where it is, how to use it, and if the battery and equipment are up-to-date and sufficient. Do you know where the equipment is on our site?
Does anyone have a story they would like to share about making a safety process stronger following a near miss?
Key Takeaways:
"Safety is more than policy. It's about people, it's about commitment, and everyone has a safety story."
"You have to learn from every near miss or accident or situation."
"Time is everything in that kind of situation."
"Walk around your site and ask, 'If this happened right now, would the folks know where the kit actually is and would it work?'"
"We realized there was a real shortfall from us. We were not prepared for that kind of situation."
"Just take a look internally, make sure your site's prepared."
Links:
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (https://www.nssga.org/)Website: https://www.nssga.org/
Take Control: Prevent Serious Injuries and Fatalities: https://www.nssga.org/industry-priorities/health-safety/take-control-prevent-serious-injuries-and-fatalities
Kyle Hunter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-hunter-63973622b/
CheckProof: https://www.checkproof.com/
3 Sept 2026
Safety and Advocacy with Holly Poplawski
Holly Poplawski of AlignOps joins Emily to discuss the vital role of advocacy in building a resilient safety culture. In recognition of NSSGA's advocacy month this September, Holly shares her unique perspective on how safety professionals can influence change, build organizational support and help companies of all sizes strengthen their safety programs from the ground up.
This episode explores the four most common situations where organizations seek help - ranging from rapid growth and manual process fatigue to responding to serious incidents or audit findings. Holly explains why safety professionals should act as "internal investigators" to identify the gaps between written procedures and field reality. They also discuss the transition from speaking the "language of safety" to the "language of leadership," ensuring that safety goals are seamlessly aligned with operational success.
Main Themes:
Identifying the four common triggers for organizational change
The safety professional's role as an internal investigator to bridge the gap between "paper safety" and field operations.
Why technology is a tool for visibility but not a standalone solution for a broken process.
Scaling safety programs to ensure that standardization supports growth rather than creating bureaucracy.
Moving beyond "checking the box" after an audit to address the systemic causes behind a symptom.
Developing the four essential traits of an effective safety advocate
Building trust through one-on-one conversations and active listening.
Toolbox Talk Discussion Questions:
In this episode, Emily and Holly Poplawski explore the connections between advocacy and safety and how being a safety professional means advocating for your coworkers. Have you ever thought about this connection?
Holly describes how safety professionals can advocate for shifting mindsets from compliance to risk management. How do you think this kind of safety culture would impact the rest of the company?
Does anyone have a story they would like to share about advocating for a safety issue on the jobsite?
Key Takeaways:
"Safety professionals are advocates every single day. They're advocating for employees, for better processes, for resources, and for training."
"You don't have to win the entire argument on day one. You just need to create enough momentum for the next conversation."
"Standardization isn't bureaucracy. It's what allows you to maintain the same expectations across the organization."
"The best system is the one that makes the right thing easier to do."
"The goal is to move from 'How do we close this finding?' to 'How do we make sure this doesn't happen again?' That's a completely different conversation."
"Trust is one of the foundations of safety culture. You don't have to transform the entire culture tomorrow. Start by finding one gap, have one conversation, and create one improvement."
Links:
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (https://www.nssga.org/)Website: https://www.nssga.org/
Take Control: Prevent Serious Injuries and Fatalities: https://www.nssga.org/industry-priorities/health-safety/take-control-prevent-serious-injuries-and-fatalities
AlignOps: https://alignops.com/
Could you prove it if OSHA or MSHA walked in tomorrow? Find out where you're already solid and where you're not. Take the 2-minute Safety Leader Self-Assessment → https://alignt.co/nssga-safety
6 Aug 2026
MedicAlert Awareness Month with NSSGA Staff
NSSGA colleagues Adam Pugh, Director of Government Affairs, and Laura Henry, Senior Director of Political Advocacy, join Emily to discuss the lifesaving importance of medical ID bracelets. In honor of National MedicAlert Awareness Month, they share personal stories and professional insights on how these simple wearable devices can be a game-changer in emergency situations, both at home and on the job site.
This episode explores the history of the MedicAlert foundation, which began with a 14-year-old's 'near-miss' in 1956. Adam and Laura discuss the practical necessity of medical IDs for a variety of conditions - from asthma and latex allergies to the use of blood thinners and caring for family members. They highlight how having a "cheat sheet" for paramedics can reduce stress for families and coworkers while ensuring that every second counts during a medical crisis.
Main Themes:
How a near-fatal allergic reaction led to the development of the universal identification system used today.
Using medical IDs to provide critical data when a patient is unconscious or unable to communicate.
Recognizing that IDs are vital for more than just allergies - including bleeding disorders, seizure risks, dementia, and chronic medication use.
The specific challenges of providing history to paramedics in rural or high-stress environments.
Why every second matters in industrial settings like quarries or plants.
How wearable technology reduces the mental burden on family members and safety managers.
Toolbox Talk Discussion Questions:
In this episode, Emily welcomes NSSGA staff members Adam Pugh and Laura Henry to talk about their loved ones who use or could benefit from a wearable medical alert. What is your perception of these devices, and do you know anyone who currently uses one?
Emily reminds listeners that we spend a good portion of our lives at work, and that knowing if colleagues wear a medical alert can save valuable time during an emergency. How do you think that wearable medical alerts factor into our understanding of emergency preparedness?
Does anyone have a story they would like to share about their experience with a wearable medical alert?
Key Takeaways:
"The bracelets save lives and they are probably a lot more common than many of us realize or notice."
"It would have been really helpful if I had that cheat sheet."
"My stress would be greatly reduced if I knew he was wearing something that can help in the chance that something does happen."
"In an industry where employees often work in dynamic environments, every second matters. Having access to accurate medical information can help responders make informed decisions and potentially improve outcomes."
"If you know of anyone who needs to wear one, I highly recommend buying it for your friend."
Links:
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (https://www.nssga.org/)Website: https://www.nssga.org/
Take Control: Prevent Serious Injuries and Fatalities: https://www.nssga.org/industry-priorities/health-safety/take-control-prevent-serious-injuries-and-fatalities
MedicAlert Foundation: https://www.medicalert.org/
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Engagement
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