2025 Predictions Revisited: What We Got Right and What We Missed | Risk Matrix Episode 120

We made some predictions for 2025. Some stuck. Some didn't.

Dr. Martin and James take a hard look at what actually happened in workplace safety this year: the AI hype that fell short, heat illness that's still killing workers, mental health discussions that lack implementation, and what safety leaders need to watch in 2026.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Opening and 2025 predictions review
04:57 - AI integration in safety: Hype vs. reality
07:56 - Heat illness prevention standard and worker protection
12:00 - Mental health in the workplace: Awareness without action
13:04 - Supreme Court decisions reshaping regulatory landscape
15:08 - Worker empowerment and the return to office
17:19 - Safety across the global supply chain

📋 KEY TAKEAWAYS
1) AI in safety is still mostly hype. Until someone shows real data on how it's improving worker safety, the buzzwords don't matter.

2) Heat illness continues to kill workers while the industry debates standards. The solution exists right now. It's called implementation.

3) Mental health in the workplace is being discussed everywhere, but companies still aren't actually putting it into practice. More awareness doesn't equal action.

💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Where did we nail the 2025 predictions? Where did we miss? What are you watching heading into 2026? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

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ABOUT THE HOSTS:

Dr. Logan F. Martin (PhD, MBA, PMP, CIH, CSP, CHMM) brings 32+ years of safety experience and a data-driven approach to solving real-world workplace hazards.   / drmartinsafety  

James Junkin (MS, CSP, MSP, SMP, ASP, CSHO) is ASSP’s 2024 Safety Professional of the Year and has trained over 40,000 safety professionals nationwide. His warm, field-tested approach helps safety leaders make complex topics actionable.   / james-junkin-ms-csp-msp-smp-asp-csho-494a0046  

ABOUT THE RISK MATRIX PODCAST:

The Risk Matrix is a weekly workplace safety podcast for experienced safety leaders—CSPs, CIHs, and safety directors who need honest conversations about real-world hazards. Hosted by Dr. Logan F. Martin and James Junkin and powered by Veriforce.

New episodes every Tuesday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

The Risk Matrix Podcast is powered by Veriforce: Bringing workers home safe from high-hazard jobs. Learn more at www.veriforce.com

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