Episode Summary
In this episode of Safety Unleashed, Chris and Drew share practical, real-world guidance on how companies should interview and onboard safety professionals in today's evolving workforce. Drawing from decades of field and leadership experience, they discuss what hiring teams should look for beyond resumes and certifications, including hands-on field experience, communication skills, risk assessment capability, and cultural fit. The conversation explores the balance between book knowledge and boots-on-the-ground experience, the growing importance of soft skills in 2025, and how onboarding sets the tone for long-term success. They also examine how workforce expectations have shifted across past, current, and future generations, and why companies must adapt their hiring and onboarding strategies to attract, develop, and retain strong safety professionals.

Key Takeaways
• Resumes and certifications matter, but field experience is critical
• Strong safety professionals must translate between the field and the office
• Risk assessment skills must be developed in real-world environments
• Soft skills and communication are essential for trust, credibility, and buy-in
• Continuous education is a requirement, not a bonus
• Cultural fit can outweigh technical qualifications
• Effective onboarding improves retention and performance

Topics Discussed
• How to interview safety professionals beyond the resume
• Evaluating regulatory knowledge across OSHA, MSHA, FRA, DOT, and state plans
• Book knowledge versus practical field experience
• The value of internships and early field exposure
• Incident management and real-world risk assessment
• Communication styles for field crews and corporate leadership
• Generational expectations in the modern workforce
• Continuous education, certifications, and CEUs
• Multi-step interview processes and team involvement
• Why onboarding should be intentional, not rushed

Recommended Interview Questions Highlighted
• Can you share specific examples of safety programs you've implemented?
• How do you handle an incident when someone gets hurt on the job?
• How do you conduct risk assessments in the field versus on paper?
• How do you communicate safety expectations to crews and executives?
• How do you handle pushback or resistance in the field?
• Are you committed to continuous learning and professional development?
• How do you adapt your approach to different personalities and cultures?

Onboarding Insights
• Onboarding sets expectations and establishes credibility
• Early field exposure builds trust with crews
• Mentorship accelerates development for less-experienced hires
• Clear communication channels reduce confusion
• Safety professionals should be empowered early
• Strong onboarding supports long-term cultural alignment

Content Advisory
• Contains occasional profanity
• Includes candid, unscripted industry discussion
• May require light editing for platform standards

About the Hosts
Safety Unleashed is hosted by Chris and Drew, seasoned safety professionals with extensive experience across industrial, construction, maintenance, and turnaround environments. Their backgrounds span field safety, corporate leadership, regulatory compliance, and risk management. Together, they bring candid conversation and practical insight into what it really takes to keep people safe while supporting operations and culture.