Skiing is fun and exciting, but it can also be dangerous for both resort visitors and workers. Furthermore, operating ski resorts comes with some unique risks that might not have been traditionally addressed. Josh Reed, director of technical safety and programs at Vail Resorts, is helping lead the way on safety culture in the ski industry.
Based in Colorado, Vail Resorts is the largest publicly traded ski resort company in the world. It owns and operates 42 locations across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Switzerland. The company has about 7,000 year-round employees and 50,000 seasonal employees. In his role, Reed is responsible for leading Vail Resorts’ health and safety programs team to develop, implement, and manage all programs that support the company’s locations globally. He also works to evaluate and understand the ski industry’s historic approach to safety and utilize learnings to implement solutions that are scalable and sustainable for the organization.
Overall, Reed has a decade of EHS experience working in a range of industries from oil and gas to food and beverage. He has earned several certifications and academic degrees in safety and currently serves as a member of the ASSP Foundation Next Generation Board.
To learn more about Reed and his take on industry issues, please read the Faces of EHS interview below:
Q: How did you get your start in the field?
My father was a coal miner his entire life. While working in the mines, he noticed the growing field of environmental, health, and safety. He realized this would be a great career to encourage his sons to pursue.
After my brother Jeremy completed his occupational safety and health degree at Murray State University, one of the top OSH programs in the country, I observed the amazing opportunities that were available to him in the field. I transferred to Murray State from another university to follow suit. I experienced so many great opportunities during this time, including three internships, studying abroad in Paris and London, and participating in a research project for the U.S. Navy. I truly fell in love with the field. I completed both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in OSH and have never looked back.
Q: Who has been your biggest influence in the EHS industry, and why?
John F. Kennedy once said, “We must find the time to stop and thank those people who make a difference in our lives.” I myself have several people that I need to thank for the positive influence in my life.
Dr. Gary Morris at Murray State, who pushed me out of my comfort zone and opened my eyes to a world I never knew existed. Drew Nelson at Consolidated Grain and Barge, who was my first manager out of school. Drew helped me develop a strong foundation in the EHS field and supported me personally through some hard times. Jaime Sherry and Paul Robbertz at Danone North America both showed me what true servant leadership is. Jon Maloney at Vail Resorts for taking a chance on a leader from outside the ski industry and helping me understand what positive accountability is.
In addition to mentors and positive influences in the EHS Industry, I have too-many-to-count lifelong friends in the field, including Tanner Neese, Austin Blakley, Maegan Procasky, Dawson Montfort, Kim May, and Justin Lopez.
Q: What’s your best mistake, and what did you learn from it?
During my senior year at Murray State University, I accepted a summer internship as an industrial hygiene intern knowing little about the field. I quickly realized I was in over my head. I failed significantly at multiple projects and tasks that were required of the job. However, under great leadership, I was able to slowly make progress and pick up little wins over time. At the completion of the internship, I was by no means an expert in the field, but I was confident I had participated in one of the best growth opportunities of my life.
Q: What are some of the biggest EHS issues at your organization? Are there any unique challenges (or benefits) compared to some other organizations?
EHS programs and culture in the ski industry are still a very new concept. We have a risk profile that does not exist in most traditional organizations. Some challenges include the demanding physical footprint of a ski resort, which could contain multiple mountains, hotels, retail shops, transportation hubs, and maintenance shops all separated by miles. At Vail Resorts, this challenging footprint is multiplied by 42 locations across the globe.
Another unique challenge and benefit in our organization is requiring a large majority of our employees to ski or snowboard for their job. Although this is one of the most enjoyable parts of the organization, it is also a very high-risk activity when you factor in the ever-changing environment, individual ability, snow conditions, and guest interactions.
Q: What’s your favorite and least favorite part about working in the industry? Would you change anything?
My favorite part about working in the EHS industry for a ski resort company is I am able to combine my personal passion for skiing, outdoors, and the mountains with my professional work. The quote by Mark Twain, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life,” rings true for me every day.
My least favorite part is that due to the EHS field being so new in the ski resort industry, I unfortunately see multiple incidents and injuries that could have been prevented with foundational health and safety programs that have been around for years in other industries. Although this is motivating to help the ski industry advance in the EHS field, it is still saddening to see my team members get hurt.
Q: What are your thoughts on safety culture? How can company leaders make safety a value within their organization?
The most foundational truth about culture is that it requires people. Safety culture, good or bad, will be built on relationships and leadership. I love the idea of building a safety culture in an organization, but it has also been the hardest task and a never-ending one in my career.
One of the most impactful actions a company leader can do to make safety a value in the organization is doing the small things right. Vincent van Gogh once said, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” Leaders holding themselves and others accountable in a positive manner to the small safety culture ways of working, overtime, builds a thriving new norm of safety in the workplace.
Q: What safety concerns or issues do you think need more prioritization in EHS programs?
Building sustainable EHS programs in an organization is a concern for me. In my career, I have seen EHS programs can get so dependent on one team member or one group, that when that person or group leaves the organization, it can take step backwards in the EHS field. This step back can put people’s lives at stake. Therefore, when building or managing EHS programs, having a long-term sustainable approach is critical to accomplish the goal of protecting team members and the organization.
Q: What will be the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles on the EHS industry?
If the definition and the goal of ESG principles remains all levels of the organization striving to do the right thing, from investors to frontline employees, I believe it can have a positive impact. Whether it’s a new ESG performance indicator or a program growing in the organization, the EHS field will just need to be aware of resources needed to support the company’s goal in a constructive manner.
Q: How will new safety technologies influence the work being done by EHS professionals?
EHS programs and almost all aspects of work are becoming more digitized. However, I see a growing issue of flooding the EHS field with too much technology. The ability for leaders to prioritize what technology actually makes the job more efficient in principle vs. in reality will always remain significant.
Q: What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my diverse career path. I have worked in a variety of industries, including construction, oil and gas, agriculture, food and beverage manufacturing, military operations, industrial hygiene, academia, and currently the ski and resort industry. This diverse background provides a foundation of confidence to tackle any challenge that comes my way or my team’s way.
Q: Do you have any advice for people entering the EHS profession?
Get up early, work hard, stay positive, be confident, and don’t make excuses.
Are you or a colleague an EHS professional interested in being profiled for the Faces of EHS series? Please contact Joe Bebon at JBebon@BLR.com.