The Safety Consultant Podcast
The Safety Consultant Podcast with Sheldon Primus is your ultimate weekly guide to starting or growing a profitable occupational safety and health consulting business. Are you ready to be your own boss and make a greater impact? Your expertise can help more people create safer workplaces, and your skills deserve a platform where they can truly shine. If you feel limited in your current role and believe your knowledge could serve the broader workforce more effectively, this podcast is for you. Join us as we explore the steps to launch your own safety consulting business, share insights on navigating the...
The Digital Nomad Safety Consultant: Work and Travel Secrets
Ever wondered if you can run a successful safety consulting business while traveling the country in an RV? Sheldon Primus shares his personal journey and the exact tools he uses to maintain a professional consulting practice from the road. đâ¨
In this episode of the Safety Consultant Podcast, Sheldon breaks down the logistics of being a mobile safety professional. He discusses everything from downsizing your life to managing 50/50 contracts that keep cash flow steady while you move between locations. You will learn about the essential tech stack required for remote work, including satellite internet, portable power stations, and high...
Navigating a Slow Economy: How to Keep Your Safety Consulting Business Thriving
đ Navigating a Slow Economy: How to Keep Your Safety Consulting Business Thriving
When the economy slows down, corporate budgets freeze, and external contracts are often the first to face scrutiny. But a slow market doesn't mean your safety consulting pipeline has to dry up.
In this episode of the Safety Consultant Podcast, host Sheldon Primus breaks down exactly how to pivot your business strategy to thrive in a down market.
đ What youâll learn in this stream:
The Shifting Mindset of Corporate Buyers: Understand how risk aversion and cash flow panic change how comp...Are you a "Stress Junkie"? đ§ My conversation with Jorge Torres "The Bilingual Safety Guy".
đ§ Unburdening the Safety Pro: Mental Health & Moving Beyond the "Stress Junkie" Labels with Jorge Torres
Welcome back to the Safety Consultant Podcast! In this episode, Sheldon sits down with Jorge Torres, also known as The Bilingual Safety Guy, for a vulnerable and vital conversation about the "business of being human" in the safety industry.
Jorge shares his powerful journey from working as an on-site paramedic to becoming a seasoned safety consultant and speaker. But this isn't just a career retrospectiveâit's a deep dive into Jorgeâs book, The Unburdened: 5 Honest Lessons from a Recovering Stress...
Future of OSHA 2027
đ§ The Future of OSHA: Unboxing the 2027 Budget & What It Means for You
Welcome back to the Safety Consultant Podcast! In this episode, I'm braving the cold Canadian wind (and dodging some very cute chipmunks) to bring you a live look at OSHA's FY 2027 Congressional Budget Justification.Â
Why are we looking at a budget? Because you can always tell what is truly important to a government agency by where they spend their money. Grab your coffee and join me as we unbox this budget and map out exactly how you can keep your clients regulatory-safe in 2...
Unleash the power of the OSHA Data and Resources page!
Unlock the power of the OSHA data and statistics resource page to help you find clients, value your services, and set you apart from competitors. Sheldon uses this tool for many clever ways to get true context on a hazard and who can benefit from your services.Â
Safety Pro to Business Owner Part 4: Certifications and OSHA Outreach Training
In Part 4 of our "Starting a New Business" series on the Safety Consultant Show, we are wrapping things up by talking about credentials. You don't need every letter in the alphabet behind your name to be successful, but you do need the right ones.
Here are a few key takeaways from todayâs episode:
đŻ Match your certs to your niche: Don't just guess. Look at what potential clients in your specific industry (like construction or oil & gas) are actively asking for in their job listings and get those exact credentials.đ Degrees vs. Certificates: A Bachelor's or Master's...Safety Pro to Business Owner Part 3: Build Your Safety Consulting Network in 2026
Youâve got the business name. Youâve got the legal setup. Youâve started thinking through your niche.
Now comes the part many new consultants miss:
How do people actually find you?
In this episode of The Safety Consultant Podcast, Sheldon continues the 2026 business startup series by walking safety professionals through practical networking strategies that can help them start building real consulting opportunities.
This is not theory. This is the âgo make something happenâ part of the business.
If you are an EHS professional, safety manager, trainer, OSHA compliance...
Safety Pro to Business Owner Part 2: How to Find the Safety Consulting Niche That Makes Money
In this episode of The Safety Consultant podcast, Sheldon continues his series on what he would do if he were starting a safety consulting business today.
This weekâs focus is one of the most important early business decisions you can make: finding your niche.
Sheldon breaks down how to identify the work you already do well, the topics people naturally come to you for, and the services that can create real income as you grow your consulting practice. He also explains why it helps to have more than one niche or revenue stream while yo...
From Safety Pro to Business Owner-Part 1
In this episode, Sheldon Primus kicks off a new series for safety professionals ready to start a consulting business in 2026. Part 1 focuses on the foundation: choosing a business name, securing your domain, setting up business email, getting insurance, understanding the value of a DUNS number, opening a bank account, and preparing to accept payments. Before you chase clients, build the business structure that helps you look professional, operate legally, and get paid.
Safety Champions Program Series Part 3
In Part 3 of this Safety Champions series, Sheldon Primus wraps up the conversation by focusing on the practical question many safety leaders are asking: How do you actually get ready for OSHAâs Safety Champions Program? In this episode, he walks through what readiness looks like at each stage and explains the programâs 3-step structure as building the foundation, making the safety management system operable, and proving the system is sustainable and improving over time.
Sheldon breaks down how organizations can begin by securing leadership commitment, creating written policies, assigning safety responsibilities, surveying workers, identifying hazards, esta...
OSHA Safety Champion Program Series: Part 2
In Part 2 of this Safety Champions series, Sheldon Primus moves beyond the introduction and breaks down how OSHAâs Safety Champions Program can help organizations build a stronger, more connected safety and health system. He explains that while SHARP and VPP are designed for organizations already operating at a higher level of safety maturity, the Safety Champions Program is meant to help employers start earlier and build step by step.Â
In this episode, Sheldon walks listeners through OSHAâs seven core elements of a strong safety and health program: management leadership, worker participation, hazard identification and assessment, hazar...
OSHA Safety Champions Program Series Part 1
In this first episode of a 3-part series, Sheldon introduces OSHAâs new Safety Champions Program (SCP) and explains how it differs from SHARP and VPP. He frames SCP as a practical, voluntary pathway for organizations that want to start building a stronger safety and health program from the ground up, rather than waiting until they are already operating at a mature recognition-program level. In the episode, Sheldon explains that SCP is built around three phases â Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced â and OSHAâs seven core elements of an effective safety and health program.
Sheldon also highlights how the prog...
AI and Safety Management: Smarter Safety Without Losing the Human Touch
What happens when artificial intelligence meets real-world safety management? In this episode, Sheldon breaks down how AI can support Environmental Health and Safety professionals in practical, meaningful ways. From hazard recognition and data analysis to training development, trend spotting, and management decision-making, this conversation explores where AI fits into modern safety systems and where human judgment still matters most.
This episode is for safety consultants, EHS managers, trainers, and leaders who want to understand how to use AI as a tool for better planning, better communication, and better outcomes. Sheldon cuts through the hype and focuses on...
Welcome to Season 6: A New Season of Safety, Strategy, and Consulting Success
Season 6 is here!
In this kickoff episode of the Safety Consultant Podcast, Sheldon Primus welcomes listeners back and sets the stage for whatâs coming next. This season will continue blending safety leadership, consulting strategy, and practical insights to help safety professionals grow their impactâand their businesses.
Youâll hear about the direction of the show for this season, what topics are on the horizon, and how the podcast will keep supporting safety pros who want to think bigger about their careers.
Whether you're an experienced consultant, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a safety...
OSHA 2026: Whatâs Changing, Whatâs Coming, and Where Enforcement Is Headed
OSHA has a new leader, a new poster, and a very clear inspection strategy for 2026. Are you ready?
In this quarterly OSHA update, Sheldon breaks down the biggest changes safety professionals and consultants need to know â from the new âOSHA Caresâ poster to federal enforcement reductions and the 24,929 inspections planned for the year.
Youâll learn:
What the new OSHA poster means for employersWho the new head of OSHA is and why it mattersWhere enforcement dollars are shrinking (and where focus is tightening)Why 70â80% of inspections will be unprogrammedThe four hazards that will dominate constructi...Spring Forward: From Learning Mode to Leadership Mode
Spring is a season of growth â but growth doesnât happen just because the calendar changes. It happens when you decide to move.
In this episode, Sheldon explores why so many safety professionals stay stuck in âlearning modeâ and never make the leap into leadership. Backed by behavioral research on the intentionâaction gap, perfectionism, and productive procrastination
Spring Forward
, he breaks down whatâs really holding you back â and how to shift from preparation to execution.
More importantly, this conversation goes beyond hustle. Itâs about the freedom that comes with ownership...
What Really Happens to OSHA During a Government Shutdown?
When the federal government shuts down, what actually happens to OSHA? Do inspections stop? Are citations paused? Is enforcement put on hold?
In this episode of the Safety Consultant Podcast, Sheldon Primus breaks down what a government shutdown really means for OSHA, employers, and safety professionals. Using the Department of Laborâs official contingency framework as a guide, Sheldon explains which OSHA functions continue, which ones pause, and how businesses should prepare for both the shutdown period and the surge of activity that often follows reopening.
Youâll learn why a shutdown does not mean a fr...
Hard Hat, Heavy Mind: Safety Pros and Mental Health Check-Ins
đ Description / Show Notes
As safety professionals, weâre wired to look out for everyone elseâs well-being â but when was the last time you checked in on your own mental health?
In this introspective episode, Sheldon opens up about the importance of taking care of your emotional and psychological safety, especially in a high-stress, high-responsibility field like EHS.
đ§ He challenges you to ask:
What are you doing for your mental health right now?How are you managing burnout, isolation, or overwork?Do you treat mental health as a compliance issue â or a culture i...Beat the March 2 Clock: Turn OSHA Recordkeeping Into Consulting Revenue
Itâs recordkeeping seasonâand that means opportunity. Sheldon breaks down exactly how EHS consultants can turn OSHA logs into paid engagements before the March 2 electronic submission deadline, including who must file, whoâs exempt, and how to target high-hazard NAICS industries. Youâll get the outreach scripts, a free-audit offer structure (300/301/300A), and a pricing tactic anchored to real citation dollarsâplus how to build a short course from OSHAâs recordkeeping directive (CPL 02-00-172) and 29 CFR 1904 so you can upsell audits and ongoing compliance support. If you want a fast, ethical way to help clients and grow revenue...
Psychological Safety in a Politically Divided Workplace
Psychological Safety in a Politically Divided Workplace
What if the biggest risk in your organization isnât a missing procedure or a broken controlâbut the things people are afraid to say?
In this episode of The Safety Consultant Podcast, Sheldon Primus explores how political and ideological discord can quietly introduce psychological risk into the workplace. Drawing on recent research and real-world observations, Sheldon explains how distrust, self-censorship, and siloed communication create latent safety hazards that traditional safety systems often miss.
This conversation isnât about debating politicsâitâs about understanding how disagreeme...
From EHS Pro to Consultant: The Roadmap Weâll Build in Safety Consulting 101
Feeling capped in your EHS role? In this episode, Sheldon Primus breaks down Safety Consulting 101âa practical roadmap designed to help safety professionals transition into consulting without overwhelm or guesswork.
Youâll learn how to identify your best income lanes, build credibility that clients trust, choose a profitable niche, and package your expertise into clear, paid offers. This episode walks through the exact framework Sheldon teaches in his live workshopâfocused on clarity, boundaries, and action.
If youâve ever thought, âI know my stuff, but I donât know how to turn this into a business,â...
Your Proposal Isnât ExpensiveâTheir Non-Compliance Is
Most proposals fight on price instead of value. In this episode, we flip the script: anchor your price to the real cost of non-compliance (penalties, repeat findings, injury costs), prove ROI on a single screen, and give buyers a simple plan they can approve fast. We cover the one-screen justification, how to pick the right leading metric, and common traps like vanity metrics and tool sprawl. Walk away with a week-one checklist, a reusable template, and a mini-course to make âno-brainerâ proposals your default.
Top 10 EHS Challenges 2025: My Review One Year Later
Happy New Year 2026! In this episode, Sheldon Primus reviews his eBook Top 10 EHS Challenges for 2025 and gives himself a scorecard: Hit, Partial, Mixed, or Evergreen. He breaks down what âregulatory scrutinyâ really looks like (enforcement, rulemaking, and data transparency), highlights why climate and heat planning became a major operational focus, and explains why remote work and mental health remained real EHS issuesânot just HR topics.
Youâll also hear practical examples tied to real-world signals (OSHA reporting/data transparency, training gaps reflected in common standards, public health guidance, and cyber/ICS attention). Sheldon closes with a forward...
From Invisible to In-Demand: How New Safety Consultants Attract Clients in 2026
In this end-of-year power episode, Sheldon talks directly to new and emerging safety consultants who are asking the big question: âI know what to charge⌠but how do I actually get clients?â
He breaks down why so many EHS pros struggle to market themselvesâcoming out of an employee mindset, not wanting to âsell,â and hoping good work will magically create a full pipeline. Then he walks you through a simple, no-fluff 90-day marketing rhythm designed specifically for safety consultants who want more paying clients in 2026 without feeling sleazy or spammy.
Youâll learn how to:
Turn yo...Sales Funnel Part 2: Packaging Your Expertise
In this episode, Sheldon breaks down how to turn your safety expertise into clear, sellable consulting offers. Learn how to structure your 15-minute rule, what to give away for free, and how to turn your skills into real revenue. Want to go deeper? Download the free Package Your Expertise Worksheet at https://sheldonprimus.com/packages/
Free With a Funnel â How to Turn Free Value Into Paid Impact
In this episode, Sheldon breaks down the smarter way to use âfreeâ in your business. Instead of giving away time, expertise, and energy with no return, he explains how to turn free value into a strategic funnel that leads to real, paid impact. In this episode:
Why âfreeâ is powerful only when used intentionallyHow to create a clear path from free â paidThe difference between giving value and giving away your businessExamples of funnels that work for safety consultantsMindset shifts that help you charge confidentlyHow to align your free content with your long-term business goalsWhat They Donât Teach You About Leading Indicators â Brad Hall Spells It Out
Most teams track dozens of numbers but miss the few that move outcomes. In this episode, Brad Hall explains leading vs lagging indicators in plain language and shows how to choose a single predictive metric your team can influence weekly. Youâll learn how to build a oneâscreen dashboard anyone can read in 60 seconds, run a 15âminute feedback loop to courseâcorrect, and avoid common traps like vanity metrics and tool sprawl. We wrap with a simple 30/60/90 rhythm and a weekâone checklist you can deploy immediately to turn data into momentum.
Summary with bullets
Why this m...Beyond the Bullhorn: Cory Sherman on Site-Wide Emergency Alerts
Keywords: EHS, OSHA emergency action plan, construction safety, emergency communication system, jobsite evacuation, muster points, PA and strobe towers, SCADA integration, active threat response, severe weather alerts, industrial safety, human performance, safety culture, mass notification, radio-based alerts, safety consultant, safety leadership, crisis communication, incident response, ammonia leak response, drills and exercises, contractor safety, hazard communication, sitewide paging, emergency preparedness, safety technology, mobile alert towers, evacuation drills, buy-in and adoption, PPE compliance
This week, Sheldon talks with CSP and founder Cory Sherman about replacing unreliable air horns/text chains with mobile, site-wide emergency communication towersâplus practical playbooks fo...
Part 4 â Growing Through Partnerships & Integrity
Focus: Leveraging associations and ethical partnerships to expand your reach.
Key talking points:
How to partner with associations or safety councils.Using collaboration for visibility without stealing clients.Running your business with integrity to create lasting success.Part 3 â Becoming a Recognized Expert
Focus: Establishing credibility through writing, credentials, and training.
Key talking points:
Writing for trade journals and publications to build authority.Getting your first safety designation (COSS, COSM, CSP, etc.).Becoming an OSHA-authorized trainer to generate recurring revenue.Part 2 â Getting Started While Youâre Still Employed
Focus: Smart ways to start building your consulting business before leaving your 9-to-5.
Key talking points:
âFeast-or-famineâ income cycles in consulting.How to register your company officially and start aging your business entity.Ethical side-hustling â avoiding conflicts of interest while building experience.Part 1 â The Foundation: Naming, Branding & Domain Setup
Focus: How to pick a powerful business name, define your client avatar, and secure your online presence.
Key talking points:
Choosing a memorable name that speaks to your target market.Avoiding ego-driven names that confuse clients.Setting up your domain, email, and digital âreal estateâ like a pro.Safety, Creativity, and Darrell the Safety Man with Sam Goodman (The Hop Nerd)
This week, Sheldon sits down in person with his friend and fellow safety disruptor, Sam Goodman â The Hop Nerd. Known for his sharp takes on Human & Organizational Performance (HOP), his book Safety Sucks, and his wildly popular âDarrell the Safety Manâ YouTube character, Sam brings humor and real-world insight to the conversation.
Together, they dive into:
The reality of working for yourself (the freedom and the grind).Why corporate âsafety theaterâ (like inflatable mascots and wacky campaigns) misses the point.The creative process behind Darrell, and how absurd safety moments often come from real-life experiences.How leaders ca...Mental Health, Safety Systems, and the Signal Weâre Missing â A Raw Conversation with Dr. Jay Allen
Keywords: mental health in safety, suicide in construction, Dr. Jay Allen, Sheldon Primus, safety FM, signal trilogy, ISO 45003, safety podcast, psychological safety, safety and trauma, safety burnout, safety culture, safety systems, behavior-based safety, human and organizational performance, safety and empathy, workplace stress, safety leadership, EHS mental health, construction safety suicide, performance improvement plan, safety management, occupational mental health, safety consultant podcast, safety awareness, safety and music, system pressure, safety book, hop vs bbs, signal transmission trilogy
In this powerful and vulnerable joint episode, Sheldon Primus sits down with Dr. Jay Allenâauthor of the Signal Transmission trilogyâfor...
Boogie On Rosie Woman
This week on the Safety Consultant with Sheldon Primus, Sheldon welcomes Rosie De Leon Nogueras, host of Boogie On Rosie Woman. Rosie opens up about her six-year sobriety journey, the challenges of breaking free from toxic relationships, and the surprising role music communities like Phishâs fellowship tables played in her recovery.
Together, Sheldon and Rosie explore:
The courage it takes to choose yourself and leave unhealthy situationsHow music, fashion, and community can be tools for healingRosie's journey from DUIs and rock bottom to thriving as a podcast hostThe importance of finding yo...Self Betterment: Train Now, So Opportunity Doesnât Pass You By
This week on The Safety Consultant Podcast, Sheldon shares an honest and practical look at what it means to invest in yourself â especially as a safety consultant or aspiring entrepreneur in the EHS world.
Whether you're prepping to leave your job, building up credentials for better contracts, or just trying to stay ahead of the curve, this episode focuses on:
Why training matters BEFORE opportunity shows upHow to stack your credentials for proposal successChoosing the right certifications for your industryLeveraging employer-paid training while you canStrategic moves for consultants expanding globallyYouâll also hear...
From Networking to Spam: Whatâs Wrong with LinkedIn?
đ Episode Description
LinkedIn was built for networkingâbut lately, it feels more like a spam factory. In this episode, Sheldon Primus dives into the frustrating rise of copy-paste sales pitches and constant cold DMs that flood professional inboxes.
With his trademark wit and honesty, Sheldon explains why this approach destroys trust, what authentic networking really looks like, and how you can stand out by building genuine professional relationships. He also shares an update on his new coaching program (Sheldon.Coach) and why the âKnow, Like, Trustâ principle is still the key to successful consulting.
If youâ...
End the Year Strong: Focus on Your One Big Thing
In this quick but powerful episode, Sheldon Primus challenges you to identify and commit to your one big thing before the year ends. Whether youâre writing a book, securing a big client, or finally launching that new program, Sheldon shares why August through November is the critical window to focus, plan, and execute. With his own example of launching Sheldon.Coach, Sheldon guides you to set timelines, build accountability, and finish the year strong.
Itâs Safe + Sound Week 20251
Itâs Safe + Sound Week! This annual OSHA initiative is more than just a campaign â it's a movement to spotlight the value of workplace safety and health programs.
In this timely episode, Sheldon dives into:
What Safe + Sound Week is and why it mattersHow you can participate as a consultant, employer, or EHS professionalCreative ideas to engage your team or clientsThe long-term value of promoting safety culture beyond complianceWhether youâre new to OSHAâs outreach efforts or a longtime supporter, this episode will energize you to get involved, share resources, and lead fro...
From Kilimanjaro to Closing Deals: Joseph Blackman on Crushing Fear, Building Connections, and Winning Big
In this episode of the Safety Consultant with Sheldon Primus, we welcome Joseph Blackman, founder of Vitendo Training Solutions and host of the Public Works Podcast. Josephâs story is as inspiring as it is practical: from a career reset to summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in just five days, heâs learned firsthand what it takes to persevere under pressure.
He opens up about:
How climbing Africaâs highest peak helped him conquer self-doubtBuilding Vitendo into the go-to service for capturing startup and commissioning training for cities, utilities, and agenciesWhy the Public Works industry needs better...