
PreAccident Investigation Podcast
The Pre Accident Podcast is an ongoing safety podcast conversation of Human Performance, Systems Safety, & Safety Culture.
Latest episodes

Jun 19, 2024 • 3min
Safety Moment - Embracing Change: A Safety Moment with Todd Conklin
In this episode of Pre-Accident Investigation Safety Moment, Todd Conklin delves into the topic of change and its significance in our professional and personal lives. He discusses his recent project, a book focused on managing the transition from old thinking to new thinking, and shares valuable insights on the importance of being proactive in the face of change.
Todd emphasizes that being on the "pro-change" side is crucial for success and adaptability. He reassures listeners that while change can be challenging, it is also a constant part of life that we are inherently good at handling. By embracing change and staying ahead of it, we can ensure that we are not merely reacting but actively shaping our future.
Tune in to learn why it's essential to be on the front end of change, and gather practical tips on how to make this mindset a part of your daily routine. Remember to be kind, stay safe, and embrace the continuous journey of learning and growth.

Jun 15, 2024 • 32min
PAPod 502 - Inside the Minds of Healthcare Safety Warriors: A Hospital Roundtable Discussion
Welcome to this engaging episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast! Dive into a compelling roundtable discussion with a dynamic group of nurses and doctors from various children's hospitals. They share their experiences, stories, and the innovative strategies they've implemented to improve patient and staff safety.
Listen as they discuss the importance of vulnerability, curiosity, and collaborative learning in driving significant cultural changes within their organizations. The conversation highlights the power of frontline engagement, the challenges of implementing new safety measures, and the transformative impact of shared knowledge across institutions.
Whether you're in healthcare or another field, this episode offers valuable insights into fostering a culture of continuous improvement and safety. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this inspiring dialogue among some of the leading minds in pediatric healthcare safety.

Jun 12, 2024 • 3min
Safety Moment - It's Hard to Notice What Hasn't Happened Yet
Hey everybody, Todd Conklin here with another Pre-Accident Investigation Safety Moment. In this brief yet insightful episode, Todd delves into a crucial concept that's often overlooked: the difficulty of noticing something that hasn't happened yet.
He emphasizes the importance of building systems that help identify potential drifts and failures, while also acknowledging the inherent challenge in predicting the unforeseen. This episode is a thoughtful reminder that hindsight is always 20/20, and it’s essential to support our organizational systems to better anticipate and prevent failures.
Join Todd for a few minutes as he explores this pivotal idea, encouraging us all to learn something new every day and to be kind and safe in our endeavors.

Jun 8, 2024 • 33min
PAPod 501 - A New Era in Patient Safety: Insights from Dr. Anne Lyren
Welcome to another enlightening episode of the Pre-Accident Podcast with your host, Todd Conklin. Today, we delve into the world of patient safety with a special focus on children's hospitals. Todd introduces Dr. Anne Lyren, the clinical director of Children's Hospitals Solutions for Patient Safety (SPS), an organization dedicated to eliminating serious harm in pediatric care.
Dr. Lyren shares the fascinating journey of SPS, detailing its origins, the challenges faced, and the remarkable successes achieved in improving safety measures across 150 children's hospitals in the U.S. and Canada. From reducing surgical site infections and adverse drug events to pioneering new safety strategies and fostering a culture of collaboration, this episode covers it all.
Join us as we explore the innovative approaches and proactive safety tools that have transformed pediatric care. Dr. Lyren's insights and stories are not only encouraging but also incredibly meaningful, offering a glimpse into the future of patient safety. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this inspiring conversation.

Jun 5, 2024 • 3min
Safety Moment - Embracing Imperfection: A Safety Moment with Todd
Hey everybody, welcome to another pre-accident investigation safety moment with Todd! In this episode, Todd kicks things off with an insightful quote from Henry Petrosky: "We have learned to live in a world of imperfect things, just as we've learned to live in a world of imperfect humans."
Todd delves into the humility and profound truth behind this quote, emphasizing that neither systems nor people are perfect. He highlights the importance of recognizing potential weaknesses and flaws in our work and daily lives, urging us to be prepared for inevitable failures.
Whether managing high-risk systems or simply navigating everyday tasks like shopping or getting repairs done, Todd reminds us that how we approach and understand the potential for disappointment is crucial. He encourages listeners to share their interpretations of the quote and celebrates the diversity of perspectives that make life interesting.
Join Todd for a reflective moment that underscores the value of learning, having fun, and being kind and safe in an imperfect world. Learn something new every day and embrace the journey!

Jun 1, 2024 • 25min
PAPod 500 - Celebrating 500 Episodes of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast
Welcome to the 500th episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast! Join Todd Conklin as he reflects on a decade of insightful conversations, safety moments, and the evolution of ideas in the safety world.
Todd takes us through the origin story of the podcast, sharing how it all began with a simple idea to capture the voices and thoughts of safety professionals. He delves into the importance of consistency, the challenges of podcast production, and the joy of connecting with listeners.
Throughout the episode, Todd highlights the significant changes in how safety is discussed, especially the shift in understanding human error. He emphasizes the value of creating systems that are tolerant and expectant of human mistakes.
As Todd reminisces about the journey, he expresses gratitude to the listeners for their unwavering support and engagement. He looks forward to continuing the conversation, exploring new topics, and bringing more intriguing guests to the show.
Thank you for being a part of this incredible milestone. Here's to many more episodes of learning, growth, and safety!

May 29, 2024 • 3min
Safety Moment - The Power of Independent Verification
Welcome to the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast with Todd Conklin! In this episode, Todd delves into the concept that "two heads are better than one" and explores the value of independent verification in ensuring safety and reliability. He discusses how an additional set of eyes can significantly enhance the ability to catch mistakes and prevent failures, highlighting the importance of collaboration and shared expertise.
Join Todd for this short and insightful safety moment as he explains how leveraging the skills and experiences of others can lead to greater resilience and reliability in any system. Remember, learning and safety go hand in hand!
Stay safe, stay kind, and keep learning something new every day!

May 25, 2024 • 27min
PAPod 499 - Navigating Confusion: A Lesson in System Design
In this episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast, host Todd Conklin delves into a real-life scenario that underscores the importance of effective system design. Through an engaging story about a confusing airport security line, Todd explores the concept of high reliability and the pitfalls of blaming individuals for systemic failures.
Join Todd as he reflects on the principles of highly reliable organizations and how they apply to everyday situations. This episode offers valuable insights into recognizing weak links in systems and emphasizes the need for clear, user-friendly design to prevent unnecessary confusion and errors.
Tune in for an enlightening discussion that not only entertains but also provides practical takeaways for improving system reliability and user experience in any organization.

May 22, 2024 • 4min
Safety Moment - The Essential Safety Controls
In this captivating discussion, Todd Conklin takes on the topic of workplace safety, highlighting the importance of the 'Start Work' approach compared to the 'Stop Work' method. Although acknowledging the and ethical and moral value of having a 'Stop Work' authority, Conklin makes a stronger case for the 'Start Work' approach.
During the conversation, Conklin illuminates how 'Start Work' is all about identifying essential safety controls necessary for work and ensuring their validation and verification before any task commences. This preventive method, as he contends, eliminates uncertainties, allows for better measurement, verification, and monitoring while negating the unreliability of attempting to predict and prevent potential hazards at every turn, a requirement often associated with 'Stop Work'.
Consequently, Conklin underscores the importance of celebrating the successful execution of 'Start Work' within an organization, pointing out that deciding not to start a task due to inadequate provisions should be viewed as a success rather than a failure. Amid his discussion, he also cautions against using 'Stop Work' as a finding or blaming individual workers for not employing 'Stop Work'.
With an emphasis on safety, Conklin concludes the segment urging listeners to learn something new daily, be kind to one another, and above all, stay safe. Tune in for an enlightening discourse on the power of starting when safe and the crucial role it plays in workplace safety management.

4 snips
May 18, 2024 • 33min
PAPod 498 - Balancing Adventure and Risk in Outdoor Education
Guest Mike Brown, an outdoor education expert, discusses the importance of risk management in outdoor activities. He highlights the fatal consequences of underestimating risks, shares accident prevention strategies, and stresses the need for safety in water activities. The podcast explores the balance between adventure and safety in outdoor education, emphasizing the need for proper supervision and communication of safety guidelines.
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