Safety Labs by Slice

Managing Complexity in Workplace Safety

Mar 6, 2023

Bob Edwards, an HOP coach, discusses managing complexity in workplace safety. He emphasizes the limitations of simplification and the importance of listening, curiosity, and learning from success. Bob challenges the traditional focus on high-level metrics and encourages safety professionals to embrace the complexity of work environments for sustainable learning and improved safety.

55:12

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Quick takeaways

Embrace the interconnectedness of human systems to shift from linear problem-solving.

Recognize the invaluable role of adaptation in operational environments for achieving desired outcomes.

Balance learning from successes and failures to identify latent conditions and improve safety practices.

Deep dives

Importance of Complexity in Operational Learning

Understanding complexity in operational learning is crucial as it shifts the focus from linear problem-solving to embracing the interconnectedness of human systems. Through insights from complexity scientists like Holland and David Snowden, practitioners like Bob Edwards emphasize that work environments are inherently complex, comprised of various interconnected elements that influence outcomes. By acknowledging the normal variability in operations and the adaptive nature of humans, the traditional focus on root cause analysis shifts towards a deeper understanding of how systems interact and evolve.

Introduction

2min

Embracing Complexity for Operational Learning

27min

Recognizing Weak Signals in Workplace Safety

2min

Adaptability and Workplace Safety

13min

Fostering Hope and Empathy in the Workplace

6min

Emphasizing Continuous Learning and Evaluation in Workplace Safety

2min

Embracing Collective Evolution in Workplace Safety

3min

In this episode, Mary Conquest speaks with Bob Edwards, a Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) coach, who has a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MSc in Advanced Safety Engineering Management. Bob is also the co-author of ‘Bob's Guide to Operational Learning’ and a member of The Hop Hub, a consortium that guides people on their HOP journey.

HOP considers how humans and organizations interact to accomplish work. It's a thought process that allows us to build more error-tolerant systems and teaches us that expecting perfection from workers, processes or procedures is not realistic.

In this thought-provoking interview, Bob helps safety professionals explore the complex nature of work and learn how to gain a deeper understanding of their operations.

He explains why modern work is so complex with a multitude of constantly adapting interconnecting interactions and reminds us that humans aren’t just reliable machines.

Bob suggests leadership doesn’t usually appreciate this complexity as they focus on high-level metrics and urges HSE professionals to be more open about the actual context underlying these numbers.

He reveals the limitations of simplification, the 5 Whys, making predictions and trying to fix everything. And highlights the virtues of listening, curiosity, respectful relationships, psychological safety and learning from success (as well as failure).

HOP is often accused of lacking accountability, and Bob addresses this challenge and explains how HOP will actually increase co-worker responsibility and commitment.

Using many real-life examples of the benefits of operational learning, Bob teaches us that understanding complexity coupled with collaboration, empathy and mutual respect can create more reliable and resilient workplace safety.

Find out more about Bob’s work and HOP:

Human and Organizational Performance | HOP Hub

To contact Bob directly:

hop_coach@outlook.com

The book Bob co-authored:

Amazon.com: Bob's Guide to Operational Learning: How to Think Like a Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) Coach: 9798579532077: Edwards, Bob, Baker, Andrea: Books

Authors recommended by Bob:

Amazon.com: Todd Conklin: Books, Biography, Blogs, Audiobooks, Kindle

Home - Sidney Dekker

Erikhollnagel.com

Edgar Schein - Wikipedia

Bob Edwards on LinkedIn: