Safety as Personal with Sarah D’Amico

NSSGA Podcast

In this episode of Safety Shorts, Libby welcomes Sarah D'Amico, Marketing Manager of Turner Mining Group and Turner Staffing Group, to discuss the deeply personal importance of safety in such industries as mining. Sarah shares how her perspective on safety evolved from a set of rules to an emotional priority, particularly with her fiancé being a project superintendent in mining. Coinciding with Safety Month, Sarah’s story underscores the life-changing consequences of neglecting safety measures as well as the importance of prioritizing workplace safety for everyone who cares for and counts on us.

Episode Highlights:

Sarah’s initial unfamiliarity with the mining industry and how she approached safety from a logical standpoint

Her relationship with her fiancé, who works in mining, and how it transformed her view on safety, making it an emotional priority

The importance of safety training, reviewing national year-to-date fatalities, and the personal reflections that arise from these sessions

The significant contributions of workers in trades and mining, and the importance of their safety

The human stories behind safety statistics, emphasizing that every worker is crucial to someone

Libby and Sarah encourage listeners to consider who they are being safe for and to continually prioritize safety in their daily routines

Toolbox Talk Discussion Questions:

In this episode, Sarah talks about how her perspective shifted and she started to look at safety as personal. Have you ever experienced this kind of shift, and why?

What do you think changes in our safety training when we shift our perspective to safety as personal?

Does anyone have a story about a loved one or family member working in the field?

Key Takeaways:

"Safety is one of our company's core values. It’s ingrained in us to keep that top of mind."

"You don't put yourself or others in danger. Be aware of your surroundings."

"The ‘why’ behind adhering to safety regulations is as important as the ‘how’."

"’Everybody is somebody's everything.’ This took on a very personal meaning for me."

"Safety became much more of an emotional priority as opposed to pure logic."

"Remind your coworkers: Who are you being safe for right now?"

"Safety is not just about following SOPs but about protecting our families and those who rely on us."

Links:

National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association

website

Sarah D'Amico