Since 2009, Michael Karl McNeil has been a consultant at McNeil Safety Consulting, located in San Gabriel, California. In this position, Mr. McNeil offers advice on comprehensive safety and health services, including industrial hygiene, construction safety, and hazardous materials management.
Mr. Karl McNeil’s role as a consultant involves assisting clients with improving workplace safety standards and reducing injuries. He partners with management to devise robust safety policies and procedures that improve safety culture and increase compliance. He also analyzes accident and incident reports to assist clients in identifying root causes, implementing preventive measures, and preventing future occurrences.
He has also written safety and health plans for the Injury and Illness Prevention Program. In addition, he wrote drug and alcohol policies and site-specific plans for special hazards to enhance workplace safety procedures. As a consultant, he provides advice on environmental compliance investigations and reporting, employee health monitoring and compliance, and workers’ compensation cases.
Michael Karl McNeil is a member of the Occupational Health and Safety Association, the National Safety Council, the National Association of Arson Investigators, and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. His training and education include a master’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, in environmental studies.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Wake up, get my wife off to work, get the girls up to get to school, log on and write safety and health plans. Plan site visits and consult on a variety of occupational hazards, come home and write reports and prepare invoices. Walk the dogs, and then the family is home, and it is family time and homework.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Write, write, and re-write ideas down so no mistakes are present
What’s one trend that excites you?
Society is moving towards more occupational health and safety for employees, and that field is becoming more and more channeling.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Family time.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be strong and don’t back down from anything. That the truth will always be uncovered. Lies and deceit are always found out.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
Karma—it will always affect you in life. If you do wrong to someone, it will come back to you.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Be honest, take accountability for your actions, be yourself.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Walk my dogs.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Honesty.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Being hated by others, especially when I outshined them at the job. I trust in Karma, and that the lies and false stories will come back to them.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
All—I look to mentor the next generation.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Microsoft Word.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
Gifts to the family.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Book of Runes.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Tulsa. It is really about Karma.
Key learnings
- Honesty is integral to professional development and career advancement.
- Integrity, self-accountability, and authenticity are important values.
- Prioritize family.
- Trust in Karma.