I keep using this tragedy as a teaching/learning tool. This officer was convicted and sentenced to 4-years in prison for aiding and abetting manslaughter for holding back the crowd during George Floyd’s murder. TAKE THE POLITICS OUT OF IT and ask…. Why didn’t he step in and do something? This is the difference between “latent organizational failures” and “active failures.” For example, suppose a person...

The conditions that increase the risk of violations can differ from those that produce errors. Violations are often associated with time pressure, poor procedures, poor supervision, and shortages of equipment or spares. The table below shows some reasons people gave for not following procedures in one study. … HomeRead More »

Some error-producing conditions are more powerful than others.  The table below shows estimates of how different conditions create the risk of error. Poor instructions or procedures are said to triple the rate of error.  Lack of experience with the task is estimated to result in a 17-fold increase in the risk of error. … HomeRead More »

If we aim to learn from the error and to lessen the chances of it happening again, we need to consider the organizational context that surrounds the person’s action, including equipment, procedures, people, the environment, and management. There are two aspects to managing error: … HomeRead More »

When an organization has identified hazards and established the risks those hazards pose, it must have a process(es) in place to ELIMINATE hazards, or where this is not possible, to reduce the risks associated with the identified hazard(s), using the hierarchy of controls. At the top of the hierarchy of controls is ELIMINATION. This is the most effective way of managing risks associated with identified...

Earlier this year, I wrote about using the old ANSI/ASSE Z590.2-2003 (R2012) Criteria for Establishing the Scope and Functions of the Professional Safety Position standard when establishing the scope, function, role(s), and responsibilities of the organization’s safety professionals.  This older standard does an excellent job of keeping things simple and provides a nice framework from which...

“It is important to establish the difference between leadership, which is acquired, and authority, which is assigned. An optimal situation exists when the two are combined. Leadership involves teamwork, and the quality of a leader depends on the success of the leader’s relationship with the team. Leadership skills should be developed for all through proper training; such training is essential...

A little trivia/history for the Chlorine/CHLOREP ER fans… What year was the first Emergency B-Kit available? Hint: it is 2-weeks older than I am! Answer below in images… … HomeRead More »

If there is one device that causes more electrical issues in workplaces, it has to be electrical extension cords.  There are few audits in our 20+ years of business where we did not find multiple concerns around the use of electrical extension cords. These issues generally center around either their IMPROPER use or the cords being damaged in some way. One of our sources to write our findings comes...

The protection provided by the 2021 IFC is to prevent flammable and combustible liquids from becoming ignited. This is accomplished by one or more of the following layers of protection: … HomeRead More »

I was asked to participate in a serious flash fire accident cause and origin investigation earlier this year.  The worker received severe injuries from the flash fire; they survived with life-altering injuries to their lower extremities.  The flash fire involved Acetone vapors from a manufacturing cell, an office chair, and a plastic chair mat.  Can you guess the ignition source? ...

Safety may be a skill that can be acquired over the years, but it is FIRST a PASSION to serve others that burns inside us. A PASSION dedicated to the men and women we are given the PRIVILEGE TO PROTECT. The men and women who do the dirty and dangerous work. Safety is ALL about them, their families, and their loved ones. We carry a tremendous responsibility in society, one that is also an honorable...