Brent Sutton, an expert in Human and Organizational Performance, and Jeff Lyth, a strategist in organizational safety, join the discussion on whether a sixth principle, 'Control Saves Lives,' should be adopted. They explore the differences between principles and practices and their role in shaping safety. The conversation touches on the historical context of organizational safety and emphasizes adapting these concepts for modern challenges. Personal stories enrich the dialogue, highlighting the importance of engaging communication and community in enhancing safety strategies.
The podcast discusses the potential addition of a sixth principle, 'Control Saves Lives', to enhance organizational safety strategies.
A key distinction is made between principles and practices, emphasizing that principles guide behavior while practices implement actionable safety measures.
Deep dives
Evolution of Safety Principles
The discussion focuses on the evolution of safety principles, specifically the established five principles that have guided organizations for over 25 years. These principles assert that people make mistakes, blame does not fix issues, learning is crucial for operations, context matters in behavior, and leadership responses are significant. The host expresses curiosity about the decision to limit the principles to five, suggesting that there might be room for expansion or change due to the complexities of modern environments. This leads to a conversation about the possibility of introducing a sixth principle and how principles should adapt and mature over time as our understanding of safety and human behavior deepens.
Principles vs. Practices
A critical distinction emerges between principles and practices in organizational safety. Principles serve as foundational beliefs that guide behavior and decision-making, while practices are the actions taken based on these principles. The dialogue explores the idea that while concepts like 'controls save lives' could resonate as a principle, they might actually function better as a practice that integrates into existing principles. This clarification is essential to ensure that safety strategies focus on underlying truths rather than becoming mere slogans or campaigns that lack actionable outcomes.
The Importance of Context in Safety
The conversation highlights the role of context in shaping organizational behavior and safety practices. In particular, there is an emphasis on the inevitability of error within systems and the necessity for recovery mechanisms when failures occur. By understanding that every system can eventually fail, organizations are encouraged to develop robust controls and adaptive practices that prioritize both prevention and recovery. This nuanced perspective is essential for fostering a culture that embraces the complexities of risk while aiming for a proactive approach to safety management.
Welcome to the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast with your host, Todd Conklin. In this episode, Todd dives into the ongoing discussion about the potential addition of a sixth principle to the long-standing five principles of Human and Organizational Performance (HOP). The conversation explores whether "Control Saves Lives" should be considered a new principle or if it remains a practice, and how this impacts organizational safety strategies.
Joined by Brent Sutton and Jeff Lyth, Todd navigates the complexities of principles versus practices, the evolution of HOP, and the importance of having guiding principles that shape organizational behavior. The episode also touches on the historical context of these principles and the necessity for organizations to adapt to an ever-changing, complex world.
Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion that challenges conventional wisdom and seeks to refine the way we think about safety and risk management in the workplace.
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