Ep.3 - Josh Bryant. “You shouldn't have put your hands in there!”
Nov 15, 2024
auto_awesome
Josh Bryant, General Manager of People, Risk, and Sustainability at Mitchell Services, shares his passion for workplace safety and operational learning. He recounts a serious hand-crush incident, emphasizing a shift from blaming individuals to understanding systemic issues. The introduction of the '4Ds' framework transforms their safety culture by fostering open communication and collaboration. Josh advocates for sharing safety best practices, highlighting the importance of learning teams to cultivate curiosity and enhance organizational safety.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of transitioning from blame to curiosity in workplace safety through systemic analysis of incidents.
Implementing the 4D model encourages proactive operational learning, enhancing safety by focusing on identifying risks in everyday tasks.
Deep dives
Understanding Hidden Risks
The podcast delves into the complexities behind seemingly straightforward workplace incidents, emphasizing that there are often hidden stories behind accidents that challenge basic assumptions about safety and risk management. It highlights the anecdote of Sebastian, a young drill rig worker, whose injury occurred due to the lack of safety guards and confusion during routine operations. This incident underscores the need for deeper investigations into workplace actions, rather than placing blame solely on the workers. By examining the conditions leading to the incident, leaders can better understand the challenges employees face and the systemic issues that contribute to workplace accidents.
Importance of Leadership and Communication
A significant focus in the discussion is on the role of leadership in cultivating a culture of safety and learning within organizations. The speaker discusses how relational dynamics between supervisors and team members can greatly influence workplace safety practices, insisting that effective communication is crucial for fostering safety. By nurturing close relationships between leaders and their teams, businesses can encourage an environment where safety practices are prioritized and open discussions about risks occur. This alignment in communication helps ensure that everyone understands procedures and the importance of adhering to safety measures.
Operational Learning and Continuous Improvement
The concept of operational learning is presented as a critical takeaway for enhancing workplace safety and performance. The podcast emphasizes transitioning from reactive safety measures to proactive learning strategies that evaluate not only high-risk situations but also everyday tasks. By implementing the 4D model—focusing on the difficult, dangerous, different, and what doesn't make sense—organizations can identify potential hazards in routine operations that might otherwise be overlooked. This approach encourages continuous improvement and adaptation in safety protocols, ultimately making workplaces safer for employees.
Leveraging Technology for Safety Enhancements
Technology plays a vital role in enhancing safety protocols, as discussed in the podcast. The introduction of hands-free techniques and robotic rigs is presented as a way to minimize live interactions with dangerous equipment, thereby reducing the likelihood of incidents like Sebastian's injury. By assessing operations through a critical lens and embracing technological advancements, organizations can create systems that prioritize safety while achieving operational efficiency. This forward-thinking approach not only protects workers but also drives the overall progress of safety practices within the industry.
Gareth and Josh Bryant talk through a hand-crush injury. The incident serves as a case study for exploring deeper causes of workplace events and shifting the focus from blaming individuals to understanding systemic factors. Josh details how the company responded to the event by implementing the “4Ds” (what's dumb, what’s difficult, what’s different, and what’s dangerous) as part of their operational learning. Josh emphasises the importance of learning teams, a method they adopted to foster open communication and understand the context behind worker actions. This approach led to a more positive safety culture and a shift from blame to curiosity. He also stresses the importance of safety not being proprietary and the need for sharing best practices.
Links and downloads
The video that Josh refers to can be found at the end of the YouTube version of this interview here
Using principles from Human Factors (HF), High-Reliability Organisations (HRO), and Human and Organisational Performance (HOP), we develop and deliver highly immersive and impactful programmes using the High-Velocity Learning LAB (HVLL) concept. We give you the know-how, the tools and the support to make results stick and empower your people to achieve the extraordinary. We help you answer the question "How do we uncover those hidden stories in our organisation?"