Why Workplaces Have Learned to Celebrate Safety, not Dodge It

Greg Crumpton lives by a simple mantra: Relationships drive business. Each week on Straight Outta Crumpton, Crumpton dives into the lost art of networking and speaks with the biggest influencers in business services to learn how they build, nurture and value their professional relationships.

 

Technology might have been the most essential tool over the past year. For those in the safety and risk management industry, that was no different. Host of Straight Outta Crumpton, Greg Crumpton, talked with Abby Ferri, Senior Risk Control Consultant, at Gallagher about safety and risk management, technology and podcasting in the pandemic world.

Gallagher Worldwide “is an American global insurance brokerage and risk management services firm.”

Crumpton and Ferri met in the safety world when Ferri was brought into Crumpton’s office as a consultant. Crumpton, a self-described “safety cheerleader,” noted the importance of safety in the workplace. Ferri’s job is to work with clients to minimize risk, which Crumpton said is vital because companies should promote workplace safety.

“I grew up in the field working with tools and climbing ladders, scaring the crap out of our safety guy,” Crumpton said. “We’ve evolved.” He noted how much more aware and cautious his company is, and instead of dodging a safety expert, they celebrate folks who do things the right way.

“I try to be the technology whisperer for other safety professionals. In that sense (technologically) the pandemic, while an awful, challenging event, I’ve been able to shine through it.” – Abby Ferri

Technology is another vital aspect of the pandemic world. Ferri talked about the importance of knowing, understanding, and using these tools to communicate and work in a world where we are apart. What she didn’t realize, though, is that all her years spent learning these tools was crucial.

“I think this is the moment I was preparing for but didn’t realize it,” Ferri said. “I try to be the technology whisperer for other safety professionals. In that sense (technologically) the pandemic, while an awful, challenging event, I’ve been able to shine through it.”

Crumpton noted Ferri’s ability to focus on the positive in the world. While many bad things are increasing, such as liquor sales, Ferri turned to producing and investing in good things. One of those things is her podcast, Safety Justice League podcast, which she co-hosts.

Make Sure to Follow Along for More Episodes of Straight Outta Crumpton!

Straight Outta Crumpton with Greg Crumpton

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Engineering
Scaling Experiential Learning in the Curriculum: How Iron Range Engineering Transformed Engineering Education
June 1, 2026

Engineering has transformed nearly every part of modern life, from the phones in our pockets to the systems powering global industry. But the way engineers are educated has often moved far more slowly than the profession itself. Employers are asking for graduates who can navigate ambiguity, communicate across teams, and contribute meaningfully from the…

Read More
vascular surgeon
When Geography Meets Purpose: How One Move Reshaped a Vascular Surgeon’s Career
May 28, 2026

Medicine isn’t what it used to be—not for the people practicing it. Independent physicians are becoming the exception, not the norm, as more doctors move into hospital systems, corporate groups, and academic networks. At the same time, the pipeline of specialists isn’t keeping pace with growing patient needs, particularly in complex fields like vascular…

Read More
safer HVAC chemicals
From Second Chances to Stronger Teams: Bradley Henderson on Structure, Culture, and Trades-Based Redemption
May 26, 2026

The trades have always demanded grit, but grit alone doesn’t build a strong workforce. People need structure, clear expectations, and a sense that their work is taking them somewhere. That’s especially true in HVAC and mechanical services, where employers are trying to hire, retain, and develop talent in a labor market that feels tighter and…

Read More
courage
Creative Confidence and Moral Courage: The Leadership Traits Business Schools Should Be Betting On
May 25, 2026

What students need from higher education is becoming harder to pin down than it once was. As higher education faces mounting pressure—from student disengagement to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence—institutions are being forced to rethink not just what students learn, but who they become. New research and industry signals suggest that technical knowledge…

Read More