The Heroes of Hazard: Meet Health and Safety Specialists Tracy Parks and Matt Szymczyk

Red Army Radio

This week, Francis welcomes Tomlinson Health and Safety Team members, Tracy Parks and Matt Szymczyk, for a deep dive into the critical role of health and safety within the construction industry. Sharing personal experiences, including the unique paths that led them to their current positions, Tracy and Matt explore not only the importance of safety in the workplace but also the relationships and culture-building efforts that ensure safety is an ingrained value across every project.

Throughout the conversation, our guests emphasize the often-overlooked challenges of getting workers to prioritize safety, noting that their own roles go far beyond enforcement. From recounting humorous on-site stories to addressing common misconceptions about the Health and Safety Team, they reflect on the importance of collaboration, mentorship, and leading by example. Whether it’s navigating the intricacies of safety regulations or building trust with construction crews, this dynamic duo offer listeners valuable insights on how to create and maintain safer, more effective work environments.

Episode Highlights:

• Tracy Parks and Matt Szymczyk’s roles at Tomlinson
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• Unexpected paths into health and safety roles
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• Importance of building relationships with crews
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• Balance of enforcement and mentorship
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• Use of humor to foster trust and compliance
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• Shift toward proactive safety culture at Tomlinson
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• COR Certification
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• Critical role of project management in safety
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• Flexibility in addressing on-site safety challenges
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• Integrating safety into both work and home life

Key Takeaways:

"The success of Tomlinson is built on its people. Construction is very much a family."

"I've been in the construction industry since I was 15. Safety was ingrained in me."

"We're not safety officers; we're mentors. We're here to coach, not to catch mistakes."

"Building relationships is key. When safety comes on site, it should be a welcome sight."

"Take 60 seconds before starting a task. Look around. It could save a life."

"Ask if you're unsure. There's always someone with more experience who can help."

"COR is an audit of our safety program. It's about practicing what we preach."

"Safety starts from the top down. Project managers need to be present and involved."

"We're here to ensure everyone goes home safe at the end of the day."

Links:

Tomlinson Group: https://tomlinsongroup.com/