Beyond Compliance: Building a Safety Culture That Actually Protects People, Insights from Dennis Pivin

The Canary Report

Confined spaces in underground infrastructure are nothing like factory floors, and treating them the same is a mistake. In this episode of The Canary Report, host Michael Zalle sits down with Dennis Pivin, Director of Health, Safety, and Environmental at NASSCO, to talk about building better safety cultures, why simulators matter, and how to actually get executives to listen. It’s about worker-first training, data that proves impact, and the human side of safety leadership. If you care about real-world risk, this one's for you.

Topics that we discuss:

• How underground confined space risks differ from overground industrial settings
• Why NASSCO's new simulator represents a breakthrough in safety training
• The critical differences between Canadian and U.S. safety regulations
• Bridging the gap between field workers and the C-suite for a stronger safety culture
• Why passion and human connection are essential in successful safety leadership
• The framework for implementing positive reinforcement in safety programs
• How safety professionals can effectively communicate both human elements and ROI
• The innovative approach to blending online and hands-on training

Dennis Pivin, CSP, ASP, CHST, CIT, is the Director of Health, Safety, and Environmental at NASSCO, where he’s redefining how safety is taught and practiced in underground infrastructure. With over 25 years of experience in the construction and chemical industries, Dennis blends hands-on know-how with strategic leadership. From developing NASSCO’s confined space simulator to advising on litigation and compliance, his journey from an aspiring vet to safety trailblazer is rooted in one thing: protecting people through smarter systems and real-world training.

Episode Resources:

• Dennis Pivin on LinkedIn
• NASSCO Website
• Michael Zalle on LinkedIn
• Yellow Bird Website
• The Canary Report on Apple Podcasts
• The Canary Report on Spotify