Developing Skills and Mitigating Risks: Exploring the World of Geohazard Mitigation – Ep 075

In this episode, we are joined by Joshua Monroe, CSP, CHST, the Vice President of Safety, Quality, and Compliance at GeoStabilization International, to discuss geohazard mitigation and the crucial role of safety programs in high-risk environments. Joshua shares his expertise on how GeoStabilization International has implemented safety programs and utilized innovative approaches to enhance safety measures. We also delve into the common hazards found on job sites, the training programs necessary to mitigate such risks, and the future of the geohazard mitigation industry. ***You can view the video version of this episode here.*** Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Josh: How did your experience in the army prepare you for your current role in safety? Can you tell us more about the perimeter protection system project for remote site projects with fall hazards, and how student teams are involved with GIS? What are the most common hazards associated with geohazard mitigation on job sites? What are some ways organizations can implement safety programs, especially for newer firms or those who don't currently have one in place? How do your training programs contribute to creating a safety culture? What examples of innovative technology have been implemented to advance safety measures in the workplace? What advice would you give to young professionals who are interested in pursuing a career in geohazard mitigation? Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Developing Skills and Mitigating Risks: Exploring the World of Geohazard Mitigation: Having experience in the military will help you to develop skills in following regulations and standards and paying attention to detail. These skills are invaluable in geohazard mitigation, where quick evaluation and reaction time are crucial where job site conditions can change rapidly, and quick thinking is necessary to adapt to the conditions and ensure safety. There is a capstone project with the Colorado School of Mines where a challenge is presented to the students on how to rapidly deploy a perimeter protection system using materials already available on their trucks and trailers. The students came up with a solution that could be deployed within minutes and met all the safety regulations. One of the key points is that geohazard mitigation involves multiple variables and changing conditions, making pre-planning crucial. Remote locations, lone worker safety, traffic control, and underground utilities are some of the other hazards that need to be carefully considered and mitigated. Falls and working around heavy and specialized equipment are also significant risks that must be managed. Engaging employees in generating solutions and providing input is crucial for creating ownership and support for safety programs within an organization. This approach has been successful in not only emphasizing the importance of safety but also generating solutions to safety challenges. Proper safety training programs that include on-the-job training, regular safety meetings, and utilizing technology are essential to ensure that employees know how to do their jobs safely and to reinforce safety initiatives within an organization. The use of external partnerships and internal continuous improvement programs, such as Kaizen and root cause analysis, have led to exciting innovations and solutions in advancing safety measures. Additionally, incorporating the concept of biomimicry, such as developing shoe treads that mimic snake scales, shows the potential for looking to nature for creative solutions to safety challenges. To be successful in the geohazard mitigation field, it's important to get to know the work and the people. Immersing yourself in the environment and continuo...