What do people take away from a workplace safety speaker? For me, the most meaningful feedback describes something a person will think about differently when they return to work. A risk they recognise. A conversation they need to have. A reminder that the consequences of an accident reach far beyond the site gate.
I’m Steven Kirby, a workplace safety and mental wellbeing speaker based in East Yorkshire, delivering One Choice, One Life across the UK and Europe. These excerpts from Google reviews of SKLifeCoachUK Ltd explain what has stayed with people who have heard my story.
Thinking again about training and responsibility
“As a contracts manager, I am also more aware of making sure our employees are safe and have the proper training.”
Glen Warden — Google review
Glen’s words get to the heart of why I share my experience. I had spent years working in construction, but I had not been trained for the pressure test that nearly killed me. Feeling confident on site did not mean I understood that task or its risks.
My behavioural safety talks explore confidence versus competence, time pressure and the reassurance we give ourselves when something does not feel right. A useful question to take back to a team is: do people feel able to say, “I haven’t been trained to do this”?
Feedback from an experienced HSE professional
“one of the very best presenters I have had the pleasure of watching.”
David Fox — Google review
In his review, David describes having more than 25 years of experience as an HSE professional. His feedback matters because safety audiences include people who have heard many presentations, as well as workers attending their first safety day.
My approach draws on twenty years in construction and demolition and the experience of surviving a serious workplace accident. I talk about familiar situations: wanting to get a job finished, taking a chance and thinking, “It will be okay.”
Connecting construction safety with mental wellbeing
“Honest and emotional story regards working in construction and what can go wrong.”
Martin Poole — Google review
An accident affects more than the person’s physical recovery. I was off work for over eight months. PTSD, anxiety and depression affected my life and my family, and learning to talk about what I was experiencing became part of my recovery.
That is why workplace safety and mental wellbeing belong together in my keynote. Through my work as a mental health speaker, I encourage honest conversations about struggling, asking for help and listening when someone speaks up.
Reaching the workforce, clients and trade partners
“The feedback we have received from not only our workforce but our clients and trade partners has been exceptional.”
Denis O’Sullivan — Google review
Denis’s review followed talks at two client locations during a CIF Safety Week programme. Safety events often bring together people with different employers, roles and levels of experience. A personal story gives that mixed audience a shared starting point for discussing the choices made at work.
Making the human consequences real
“His story was real and emotional and I think everyone should hear it!”
Emma Vernon — Google review
Emma’s feedback reflects the personal side of One Choice, One Life. I share what happened to me and how it affected the people around me. My aim is to help people connect the job in front of them with the life and loved ones they want to return to.
Booking a workplace safety speaker for your event
I deliver talks for site teams, managers and leadership audiences across construction, engineering, utilities, manufacturing and other safety-critical workplaces. Sessions can be shaped around your audience and event objectives, including:
- Safety days, stand-downs and back-to-work events.
- Conferences and leadership sessions.
- Behavioural safety, speaking up and reporting culture.
- Workplace mental wellbeing and the impact of an accident.
Explore my workplace safety and mental wellbeing keynote or read more client reviews. The quotations above are selected excerpts; the surrounding commentary is my reflection on the feedback.
Planning an event in the UK or Europe? Get in touch to arrange a call. Tell me your preferred date, location and who will be in the room, and we can discuss how One Choice, One Life could fit your event.