We’re back—and better than ever—from our brand-new home in Sandy, Utah!

In this episode, Utah Safety Council President John Wojciechowski and Occupational Safety Program Manager Karen Kitiona sit down with Eric Olsen, Communications Director at the Utah Labor Commission, for a fascinating and fun conversation.

Here’s what you’ll hear:

• An inside look at the Workplace Safety Grant Program
• Eric’s career journey and impact within the Utah Labor Commission
• A one-of-a-kind comparative safety analysis of the Star Wars universe (yes, really!)

Whether you're a safety professional, Star Wars fan, or just love great conversations about making workplaces safer, this episode has something for you.

Tune in now and subscribe to “Speaking Up for Safety” wherever you get your podcasts. Let’s keep safety top of mind—because speaking up saves lives.

Brigham Young University, The University of Utah, Weber State, and Utah State University have teamed up to help students launch their EHS Education and Career. Build Your Future.

Make a Difference. A degree in occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) opens doors to impactful careers—from safeguarding workers at manufacturing sites to pioneering research on workplace hazards. Whether you’re aiming for a role in industrial hygiene, corporate safety, or even medical school, OEHS blends science with real-world impact.

Utah is home to four top OEHS programs, each dedicated to preparing professionals to protect workers and the environment. With high salaries (averaging $112,281 for bachelor’s-trained professionals), diverse career opportunities, and the chance to save lives, OEHS offers a rewarding and in-demand path forward.

In this episode, we dive into the world of safety with a passionate safety professional who’s on a mission to inspire managers to embrace safety as a core part of their business culture. His approach? Making safety practical, engaging, and—most importantly—fun!

From creative team-building exercises to hands-on demonstrations, he knows how to turn serious topics into memorable moments, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved.

And, as he likes to say, he’s “serving up safety smiles” with every session. Listen to hear how he gets managers and teams alike to see safety from a whole new perspective!

-

Do you work for a business with less than 250 employees? If so, you qualify for the Workplace Safety Scholarship. Reach out to us today for more information! - 801.746.SAFE (7233)

Utah Safety Council Website: https://www.utahsafetycouncil.org/content/Default.aspx