{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Facility Rockstars","title":"The Art of \"Verbal Judo\": De-escalation and Communication in Safety | Zach Stublaski","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2614,"description":"Zach Stublaski, an EHS Manager at Ocean Spray with over 20 years of real-world experience, shares his incredible journey through farming, the US Army as a military intelligence expert, serving as a deputy sheriff, working for OSHA, and his time in the oil and gas industry. He explains how this diverse background unexpectedly converged, providing him with a unique skill set for hazard recognition, problem-solving, and de-escalation. Throughout the conversation, Zach emphasizes that effective, transparent communication is the cornerstone of any successful EHS program and the key to building a proactive safety culture where employees understand the \"why\" behind every protocol. Takeaways:A Diverse Background is a Strength: Zach's experiences—from handling machinery on a farm to structured risk assessment in the military and impartial investigation in law enforcement—all contributed to his effectiveness as an EHS leader.Master \"Verbal Judo\": A key skill learned in the police academy was \"verbal judo,\" a method of talking to people to de-escalate tense situations and find common ground. This is crucial when interacting with individuals who may be upset or resistant to change.Always Communicate the \"Why\": To get buy-in and overcome resistance to new policies, it is essential to be transparent and communicate why a change is being implemented. Sharing real-world examples helps people understand the importance of following safety protocols.Build Credibility from the Ground Up: Having a hands-on background as a welder and mechanic helps build credibility with operational teams because it shows an understanding of their daily challenges.View OSHA as a Resource: Instead of being feared, OSHA should be seen as a valuable resource. Their visit provides a \"second set of eyes\" to help companies find weaknesses and ultimately keep their workers safer.Proactive Safety Prevents Backsliding: You cannot remain idle in safety; if you aren't constantly pushing forward and being...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/wIL-dAttDK3kGPGCx8T-IEpb3_8niKNWbKmYivkvwao/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS83NTkz/MjEzMTc5OTY4MmRi/MzYxYmU4NjI4MTE4/ZTQ1ZC5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}