The Financial Stakes of Risk Management in a Self-Insured Captive
July 30, 2026
Workplace safety culture and risk management are the primary drivers of my conversation with Robert Poole from D. H. Griffin Companies. Managing construction safety programs and incident prevention takes on a whole new meaning when your daily job involves controlled implosions. Robert explains how his team handles huge technical exposures while maintaining an exemplary record. We cover the unique challenges of being a self-insured organization and how that financial structure changes their entire approach to safety compliance.
Safety leadership and construction safety programs become critical business functions when your team manages massive demolition projects globally. My guest today is Robert Poole, the Corporate Director of Safety and Risk Management at D. H. Griffin Companies. Robert shares how his background as a helicopter pilot and safety professional informs his approach to high-stakes risk management.
He even tells the incredible story of a twelve day demolition at Cape Canaveral. This episode is packed with technical insights on how to handle massive exposures through expertise and a human-first approach to safety training programs.
What You’ll Learn:
- How technical precision allows for the demolition of massive structures with minimal explosives.
- The impact of being self-insured on an organization's risk management strategy.
- Why specialized heavy equipment requires internal maintenance and expert inspections.
- The process of coordinating with local and federal authorities for high-risk demolitions.
- How microlearning and electronic media can scale safety training programs across global locations.
- The importance of understanding logistics when working in remote regions like Mongolia.
About the Guest:
Robert Poole serves as the Corporate Director of Safety and Risk Management at D. H. Griffin Companies, which is one of the largest demolition firms in the world. He brings a wealth of cross-disciplinary expertise to the table, having spent much of his career in insurance, risk control, and aviation as a helicopter pilot. Robert is currently completing his PhD and oversees the safety of a massive fleet of specialized equipment and a workforce that operates across the United States and internationally.
Episode Resources:
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