Safety Labs by Slice Crossover - with Mary Conquest & Joelle Mitchell
Aug 21, 2023
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Joelle Mitchell, an organizational psychologist and human factors specialist, discusses her background in risk management and her role in driving improvement in psychological health and safety outcomes. The podcast covers challenges in managing mental health in the offshore petroleum industry, the impact of organizational structures on safety outcomes, challenges with reward and recognition structures in organizations, evaluating the effectiveness of safety controls, and advice for someone beginning their safety career.
Addressing mental health concerns in the offshore workforce is crucial, especially during the pandemic.
Separating process ownership and control ownership in safety management systems ensures effective risk management.
Deep dives
The Shift to Psychosocial Health
Joelle Mitchell discusses her transition from risk management to a focus on psychosocial health. She highlights the importance of addressing mental health concerns in the offshore workforce, particularly during the pandemic. Mitchell also mentions the introduction of regulations on psychosocial risk management in Australia.
Organizational Structures and Safety Outcomes
Mitchell emphasizes the connection between organizational structures, hierarchies, and safety outcomes. She explains how reporting lines and hierarchies can influence safety priorities and decision-making. Mitchell points out the importance of separating process ownership and control ownership in safety management systems to ensure effective risk management.
Governance for Psychosocial Health and Safety
Mitchell discusses the governance of psychosocial health and safety and suggests utilizing existing safety management frameworks to anchor employee mental health within a safety framework. She emphasizes the need for science literacy and the ability to influence upwards within organizations to drive effective change.
Moral Injury and Interpersonal Skills
The concept of moral injury in the context of psychosocial health and safety is explained, highlighting how violations of organizational justice and fair treatment can lead to psychological harm. Mitchell identifies humble inquiry as a crucial interpersonal skill for safety professionals, emphasizing the need to ask questions, listen, and seek to understand others' perspectives.