What did workplace safety look like before OSHA? The answer is simple: it didn't.

In the premiere episode of The History of Safety in Labor, Robert Courtney Jr. takes listeners back to 1885, when America stood on the edge of the Industrial Revolution. Railroads stretched across the country, factories transformed manufacturing, and steel, coal, and industry fueled unprecedented growth. But behind that progress were millions of workers who labored long hours in dangerous conditions with few protections and little hope of returning home safely every day.

This episode explores how America changed from a nation of farms and small towns into an industrial powerhouse, setting the stage for the labor movement and the eventual fight for workplace safety.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why the Industrial Revolution changed America forever
• How railroads transformed the nation's economy
• The rise of factories, steel, and manufacturing
• Why workplace injuries were once considered "part of the job"
• The human cost behind America's industrial success

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Homer "Jr." Mann, a Teamster whose belief in hard work and the dignity of American workers helped inspire this series.

The History of Safety in Labor is an original documentary series from the Inside the Aisle Podcast, hosted by Robert Courtney Jr.

Episode 1: America Is Changing

Is safety simply about following OSHA regulations, or is it about doing the right thing even when no one is watching? In this episode of Inside the Aisle, Robert Courtney Jr. explores the critical connection between ethics and workplace safety. From reporting hazards and conducting honest inspections to ethical leadership and protecting employees from retaliation, we discuss how everyday decisions shape an organization's safety culture. Because compliance may satisfy the law—but ethics are what truly protect people. Join us as we examine why integrity, accountability, and character are essential to ensuring everyone goes home safely.

In this episode of the Inside the Aisle Podcast, I talk about why experience can sometimes make people uncomfortable in the workplace.

Organizations often say they value experience, but when experienced people start asking questions, pointing out hazards, or challenging broken processes, the reaction is not always positive. Inspired by a LinkedIn post from safety professional James Shultz, this episode looks at workplace culture, accountability, leadership, and why identifying problems should be seen as part of the solution — not as a threat.

I also connect this conversation to the history of workplace safety, the creation of OSHA, and the importance of building a culture where people feel safe speaking up.

At the end of the day, safety is not about protecting egos. It is about protecting people.