☕ Stress, Smoke, and Safety: The Hidden Dangers You Can’t Ignore

From wildfire air quality plans to the mental health of your team (and their pets!), plus the shocking costs of a day without safety—this issue covers it all. Stay ahead, stay safe.

Author

Dan Abbotoy
June 09, 2025

Good morning! You don’t need us to tell you that safety never slows down—and neither do you. That’s why we’re back with another round of need-to-know updates, fresh ideas, and a few things that might just make your week a little easier.

You’re out there doing the work that keeps people safe. We’re here to make sure you’re equipped to keep doing it smarter. Let’s get into it. 👇

THIS WEEK’S TIPS

This week’s safety upgrades:

  • Air Quality Guide

  • The Day Without Safety

  • Work Stress Affecting Your Dog

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

This Weeks Professional Development Tip

Smoke on the Clock: Why EHS Teams Need a Wildfire Air Quality Plan

Wildfire smoke isn’t just a seasonal nuisance—it’s a growing workplace hazard. With outdoor workers facing prolonged exposure to toxic air, EHS leaders can’t afford to rely on water bottles and wishful thinking. This guide breaks down how to build a wildfire air quality action plan that protects your team, keeps you compliant, and avoids liability. From AQI thresholds to N95s and communication protocols, here’s what every safety pro needs to know before the next wave of smoke rolls in.

Ever been invited to a corporate event and felt like an afterthought?

It’s not just awkward—it’s a reflection of how safety is often siloed from operations.

Safety professionals aren’t just compliance cops; we’re partners in creating a thriving, efficient workplace. Yet, when we’re excluded from the bigger picture, it sends a message: safety is a separate box to check, not a core part of the business strategy.

Breaking down these silos means showing how safety drives operational success. It’s about being part of the conversation from the start, not just when things go wrong.

Origami Risk put together a great e-book on this very topic, check it out here.

Johnny Carson Nbc 90Th Special GIF by NBC

Can AI Predict Your Next Safety Incident?

Predictive analytics is reshaping workplace safety—and it’s not just theory. By analyzing patterns from past incidents, AI tools are helping safety teams pinpoint risks before accidents happen, fine-tune protocols, and stay ahead of compliance updates. Instead of reacting to injuries, EHS leaders can now act on early warnings. Want to know how this tech is changing safety strategy in 2025? Click to read how predictive analytics is giving safety teams a smarter edge.

Cesar Millan Dog GIF by Nat Geo Wild

Your Work Stress Might Be Hurting More Than Just You—It Could Be Affecting Your Dog

If work has you stressed out, your dog might be feeling it too. A new study from Virginia Tech found a direct connection between employee stress and behavioral signs of stress in their pets—like pacing, licking, or avoiding eye contact. With 97% of Americans viewing pets as family, this research reframes job-related stress as a household issue, not just a personal one. For safety leaders and managers, it’s one more reason to take mental health seriously at work. Because sometimes, burnout doesn’t bark—it just watches you suffer.

see ya later goodbye GIF by Equal Parts Studio

The Day Without Safety. The Alarming Cost of Just One Unsafe Shift

No helmets. No signs. No rules. Just one day without safety protocols—and the damage would be immediate. This thought experiment shows how quickly injuries, machine failures, and mental strain can spiral when protections disappear. From $176 billion in annual injury costs to the rise in PTSD and lost productivity, the numbers speak for themselves. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about survival. This isn’t a hypothetical. It’s a wake-up call every EHS leader needs to read.

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