The Evolution of Safety Training with Shea Davis

NSSGA Podcast

In this episode of Safety Shorts, host Emily Hargrove, NSSGA's Director of Occupational Safety and Health, welcomes Shea Davis, Regional Operations Manager for CDE USA, to discuss the evolution of safety training in the aggregates industry, particularly over NSSGA’s 25-year history. Together, they explore the shift from passive, compliance-focused methods to today's interactive, real-world learning essential for engaging younger generations like Millennials and Gen Z. Shea also shares a personal injury story highlighting the critical need for proactive hazard identification and risk assessment tools like "Take 5" or "SLAM." In essence, today’s episode emphasizes that modern, effective training goes beyond mere compliance to foster a strong safety culture, prevent accidents, and ensure vital safety knowledge is retained and applied in the field.

Main Themes:

• Evolution of Training

• Generational Learning Styles

• The Impact of Inadequate Training

• Proactive Safety Checks

• Beyond Compliance

• Engagement and Retention

• Visible Felt Leadership (VFL)

• Future-Proofing the Industry

Toolbox Talk Discussion Questions:

1. Shea talks about the differences between his first training experience in the industry and the training new employees receive today. How have you noticed these trainings change?

2. Shea had a lost time incident that could have been avoided if he had known to stop and assess the situation better. Why do you think it's important to take the time to work safely?

3. Does anyone have a story they would like to share about training they wish they had received earlier in their career?

Key Takeaways:

"When I was preparing the guard I was told that we had to rush to get the plant up and running... Time was against me."

"The grinder ended up catching a side piece of angle iron... which would not have been an issue if I had not repositioned the guard."

"This resulted in a trip to the emergency room. I received several stitches, also a few days work. So now I had a lost time accident."

"If I had known or been trained to do these small little exercises, this may not have happened at all."

"But I don't know what I don't know if I'm not trained on it. So that's how I've seen training evolve over the years."

"We, as safety professionals, we have a major responsibility to deliver quality safety content in ways that inexperienced people can retain that information."

"Being able to provide the content is important to the younger generation of workers... because they're the ones that are going to drive our industry in the future."

"Safety training matters beyond compliance. It's about saving lives and building better workplaces."

Links:

National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association website

Shea Davis