Larry Wilson Live: Conversations with Real Safety Experts

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Cutting edge thinking and world-renowned safety leaders come together in this exciting show. Larry Wilson talks with real experts—the ones living it (not just talking about it)—to give an in-depth explanation as to why they make the decisions they do to achieve safety excellence and become a high-reliability organization. This podcast is recorded live during the Larry Wilson Live streaming broadcasts. Larry and his guests answer questions from the live audience in almost every episode!

Larry Wilson


    • Jul 13, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 5m AVG DURATION
    • 30 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Larry Wilson Live: Conversations with Real Safety Experts

    The Humor in Safety with Tim Page-Bottorff

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2022 61:41


    Tim does it again! He holds the prestigious title of "most listened to episode" with his first appearance on Larry Wilson Live , and his second time on the show does not disappoint! Our 30th episode features the one, the only, Tim Page-Bottorff!Episode Description:An older and somewhat bitter gentleman stood up and proclaimed, “There's nothing funny about people getting seriously hurt!” and then he wagged a menacing finger at the group…True, but you don't learn much when you're sound asleep either. So how do you inject humor into your safety training so it's entertaining, worth listening to, and you don't cross the line or somehow appear disrespectful to important rules, procedures, checklists, permits and PPE standards? It can be a difficult balancing act. You need to be serious but you will definitely turn people off with too much “doom and gloom,” not to mention that scare tactics don't really work or work for very long.Tim Page-Bottorff is an expert at bringing humor into his safety presentations, and he's been doing this for over 20 years. His keynote presentation: “Humor in Safety” has been done at over 100 safety conferences in North America, Africa, the Middle East and Europe, which is interesting considering that Tim isn't really very funny (just kidding).

    Capturing Hearts and Minds with Alejandro Jaramillo

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2022 56:52


    Larry Wilson Live with Alejandro Jaramillo“Capturing Hearts and Minds” has been the goal for so many EHS professionals, and also for the companies they work for. The “why” is obvious, but how exactly do you do this? How can you get all of the employees to buy in, to take the safety message to heart-and, perhaps more importantly - to keep safety top of mind, without letting complacency creep in? There are lots of theories, but only so many organizations have ever been able to make it all work in reality.  Alejandro and Etex in Latin America have been able to do it, and they've been able to do it with “style”. Their employees even made a music video that involves the families (which we will show you). However, it's more than fun and engagement: They have had a 75% decrease in injuries and injury severity for over 7 years. But it's really the change in the safety culture that is so impressive. Tune in to find out how they did it!

    The Power of Positive Messaging with Chris Ross

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2022 71:22


    Larry Wilson Live with Chris Ross"The Power of Positive Messaging"Imagine increasing your sales by 400% just by changing a sign to say, “Remember the Ice” instead of don't forget the ice? Such small changes, from negative to positive, can have a surprisingly big impact, and the good news is it doesn't cost much! Unfortunately, far too many safety messages are framed negatively. Moreover, far too much emphasis has been placed on what workers are doing wrong or unsafely. But most workers, most drivers or most people for that matter do much more right (safely) than what they do wrong (unsafely). The power of positive reinforcement can change an entire company's culture. The “trick” is how to do it effectively. It is possible, provided you know how to do it. Chris Ross is an expert in training first-line supervisors this skill. You'll be happy you joined us for this optimistic episode!

    The Power of Storytelling with Jack Jackson

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2022 61:56


    Larry Wilson Live with Jack Jackson"Influence vs. Control — The Power of Storytelling"Controls are necessary but limited by time and proximity. Influence is not even limited by jurisdiction, but it can be more difficult. Storytelling, or being able to tell a good story that demonstrates values in action or teaches a lesson, can have a powerful influence on people.Jack Jackson is a masterful storyteller. I'll never forget the first time I heard Jack speak. He was telling the “dock plate story”. It's not his funniest, but the most powerful. His funniest story is the “Walmart Story”. (Don't worry, I'll get him to tell it.)In this episode, Jack explains how to tell a good story, what to leave in, what to leave out, and when to use different kinds of stories. It is educational and informative, but also one of the most (if not the most) entertaining episodes ever. 

    Separating the Wheat from the Chaff with Dave Johnson

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2022 81:33


    Separating The Wheat from the Chaff with Dave Johnson, Editor ISHN - Industrial Safety and Hygiene NewsDave has been in the field for over 30 years. He has seen many things come and go. He has seen what's worked or has had enough substance (wheat) to make it around the globe. He has also seen many many supposedly great ideas launched with bright lights and big expectations fizzle out in less than two years (chaff).So, Dave has had a unique look at almost ALL the programs, processes and initiatives put forth. But he's also had unique access to the people behind the new ideas: who they are and what they stand for. That alone is well worth listening to. However, Dave also has a serious warning for all the safety professionals out there in terms of their attitude or perspective about the “next big thing” - and it's not what you'd expect. So, please join us February 17, at 1:00pm (eastern)About Dave:Dave is the owner of Dave Johnson's Writing Shop and a B2B magazine chief editor, writer, reporter, researcher, analyst, public speaker (120+ presentations) for 40 years. He's naturally curious and enjoys establishing relationships with many sources and columnists in his journalism work. He's conducted interviews with scores of subject matter experts.Dave launched the web site for Industrial Safety & Hygiene News magazine in 1995, and supervised web content, news, features, thought leadership blogs and social media platforms.His subject matter specialties:- Industrial safety equipment (PPE), industrial hygiene equipment, facility safety equipment- Environmental Health and Safety critical issues and trends- New safety technology, wearables, mobile devices, software, smart PPE, smart LOTO, smart confined space entry- All things relating to the connected worker and the connected workplace- Health and wellness -- with a specialization in mental health issues- Organizational management and culture- Safety leadership- Serious injuries and fatalities- Psychology of human behavior

    Managing Contractors to Zero (SIFs) Without a Big Stick with Jimmy Quinn

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2022 60:05


    Managing contractors to zero (SIFs) without a big stick."Like anybody else, I didn't start off as the president of IOSH" Jimmy said, "more like in the trenches."Almost immediately, I felt totally comfortable. He was low-key, easy to listen to - and when he told me about some of the amazing accomplishments he has achieved in construction and how he did it... that's where the idea for the title came from.As mentioned, the results were impressive: from mega projects in the billions to smaller projects that easily fall under the radar of inspectors, every one managed to zero serious harm. But to do it all with positive engagement and a limited budget, even with a permanent workforce, is impressive. But to do it with a transient workforce of sub-contractors and sub-sub-contractors is, well... hard to believe, until you listen to him and hear how he did it. We will also talk about IOSH and the current initiatives they are working on. But mostly it will be about how to do it - without a big stick.About James Quinn:James is a well-motivated, proactive HSE Manager, CMIOSH and an expert with strong leadership and management skills, with a strong strategic vision. Disciplined and tenacious with the ability to drive and coach others, to excel in an environment where demanding targets and quality of work is expected to be of the highest standards.Having a significant level of experience in the development of bespoke HSE management systems, James is always working to current legislation and completing management reviews of current policies, systems and procedures in line with legal requirements and industry best practice.James through collaborative working with a thorough knowledge of international best practice and HSE auditing of OHSAS 18001/ISO 14001 compliance can also be considered to be one of the best in his field in the Gulf region. James was also part of the consultation group for the certification to the new Asset Management Systems standard, ISO 55001.James has been described as an “intelligent and pragmatic HSE leader who understands the complexities of safety and managerial processes”. He has a Masters in Strategic Management and Leadership and a Post Graduate Diploma teaching Further Education, James is well travelled with responsibilities (current and past) worldwide and an understanding of diverse cultures and environments.Professional membership of IOSH, CMI, CIOB, and the former IOSH Middle East Committee member lead for IPD/CPD, IOSH council member and IOSH President Elect, supporting the IOSH President as part of the Presidential Team before taking his office as President in October 2020.

    Engaging the Frontline Supervisor with Peter Batrowny

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2022 76:03


    Larry Wilson Live with Pete Batrowny - Engaging Frontline Supervisors: Techniques that Work in the Real World...We all know the first line supervisor is key to so many things.But what is the best way to develop or improve this group: classroom training, virtual or remote training or one on one?If you promote from within should the new supervisor be with a new crew?How much training, just on health and safety, should a company be considering for new frontline supervisors?And what about their leadership-how does middle management factor in?So many questions, and only so many people who have been there and can answer them from a practical vs. a theoretical perspective.Peter Batrowny is one of those people. He has had lots of hands on experience training and coaching first line supervisors. Perhaps more than anyone I know. This is not to say that you will necessarily agree with everything Peter says. But he will have an answer based on experience and he can tell you how well it worked.He can also tell you whether he would do it again the same way if he could go back.

    What Brain Science has Discovered about Humans Behaving Safely with Cristian Sylvestre

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2021 80:52


    Although many safety professionals are aware of the latest brain science. Unfortunately, far too many still don't know what to do with it.“So they acknowledge it, and then go back to the paradigm of deliberate decision making being the main problem, not the subconscious, or they gravitate back to the ‘system' and trying to improve the safety management system or administration or the engineering, etc. They're still trying to improve the conscious mind- when we now know that 95% of our behaviour is habitual or in the realm of our subconscious mind.”And when Cristian said that on a call a few weeks ago, I had to agree.Lots of interest in the neuroscience - from safety professionals all over the world - but little change as a result…So the first step is to understand how our brain works when we are rushed, frustrated, tired or complacent.The second step is how to apply it to actually improve things significantly.And the third step is how to sustain it.Which, in the end-pardon the pun-will be the most significant factor.About Cristian:Cristian's 25-year safety career started in chemical manufacturing and then moved to the oil and gas industry.In this heavy processing environment, he quickly learned that there are different types of safety and different ways to think about each one.As a professional chemical engineer and having completed a Masters, he is trained to analyse complex problems and to use evidence-based science to deliver the simplest solutions that achieve positive safety outcomes.His main field of interest is minimizing inattention, something that is in play in 95% of incidents and traditional safety has largely ignored.He got interested in brain science about 10 years ago and wrote a book “Third Generation Safety: The Missing Piece – Using Neuroscience to Enable Personal Safety” to help people understand how inattention comes about and what we can be done about it.

    The Challenges of Creating a Learning Organization when Merging Global Safety Cultures with Dr. Thomas Burgdorff

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2021 63:43


    It's been said that Corporate America has the attention span of a squirrel. And it's also been said that the concept of a “Learning Organization” is 20 years old. But learning and continuous improvement go hand in hand. And it's doubtful that continuous improvement will ever go out of style.However, the challenges of creating a learning organization when it comes to health and safety, and trying new things, when you have to merge different cultures from different regions are significant - to say the least. Thomas is in the midst doing just that: going from 11,000 to 20,000 employees and merging cultures from Russia and Europe, North America, South America and Asia.Which ideas and processes work best? Which ones should be global standards and which ones should remain in the local domain? How do you share the learnings and successes?How do you get them to try new ideas from other regions? And how do you do all of this and keep moving forward - with injuries on a downward trend?“Not easy”, says Thomas, “one step at a time…”About Thomas:Thomas Burgdorff, PhD, is a communications expert with an extensive history working in politics and the private sector. His proficiency as a master of connection has made him invaluable at Uniper for 5 years as the Learning Manager Health, Safety, and Environment.In his role, Thomas encounters questions like this all the time: Why do the same incidents keep happening again and again? How can we stop it or at least reduce the likelihood of reoccurring? As Uniper's HSE Learning Manager he deals with these questions on a daily basis. Developing his company into a real learning organization, capable of learning from incidents, preventing them from happening but also learning from good practice, is what he's striving for with passion and dedication. Thomas is on the show because he's interested in sharing experiences on how to communicate lessons learned in the most effective way.

    From Error Reduction to Performance Enhancement with Mike Shaw

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2021 70:47


    From Error Reduction to Performance EnhancementThe story behind getting the critical error reduction techniques to high-performance athletes.Whether at work or at the highest level of competitive sport, an error can have devastating consequences. Nobody knows this better than Mike Shaw. His rise, fall and return is truly inspiring from a human resilience perspective. But so is the story of safety that emerged.In terms of workplace safety, we can learn a lot about human performance from world-class athletes like getting into flow state doing work at the highest level of competence. But in terms of preventing injury-causing errors, even the world's best athletes can learn a thing or two from safety.Mike and Larry have been collaborating during this long journey of reducing errors and enhancing performance, so you won't want to miss this incredible conversation on Larry Wilson Live.Mike Shaw's interest in safety peaked after recovering from a traumatic skiing accident in 2013 in which he became paralyzed from the neck down. His unbelievable recovery provides him with a unique perspective on human performance and led him to co-founding HeadStartPro.Mike is the author of Never Part of the Plan: A story of Courage Resilience Gratitude. His experience includes coaching, human factors training and injury prevention.Mike is an invigorating speaker, whether he's at a workshop, in the classroom, or delivering a talk. He has also shared his story in a TEDx Talk called Grief Happens.

    The Importance of Emotional Intelligence for Health, Safety, and Environment with Dr. Britt Andreatta

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2021 72:26


    The Importance of Emotional Intelligence for Health, Safety, and Environment with Dr. Britt AndreattaAlmost all EHS professionals have “heard” about Emotional Intelligence or EI. But not nearly as many are aware of the benefits, in some cases tremendously significant benefits that training on EI can provide.Dr. Britt Andreatta is an expert in EI and conducts workshops and training sessions for managers and leaders in Emotional Intelligence, and how to bring it in to the workplace.She will also the explain the connection between mental health and Emotional Intelligence, as well as the potential synergy that exists between the two.And finally, as you can probably guess, there are many aspects of emotional Intelligence that can affect behaviour, and as a result health and safety performance.This is a very interesting, educational, and (what I found) “illuminating“ conversation with one of the world's leading experts in this field.About Dr. Andreatta:Dr. Britt Andreatta is an internationally recognized thought leader who uses her unique background in leadership, neuroscience, psychology, and education, to create brain-science based solutions for today's workplace challenges. Britt is the former CLO for Lynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning) and she has over 10 million views worldwide of her online courses. She regularly consults with corporations, universities, and nonprofit organizations on leadership development and learning strategy.Britt is the author of several brain science-based books and trademarked models including Wired to Grow, Wired to Resist, and Wired to Connect. She was named one of the “Top 20 L&D Influencers” for 2020 and 2021 and a Top 100 HR Influencers in 2021.

    The Impact of Human Factors on Safety Management Systems with Tim Page-Bottorff

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2021 58:24


    Safety management systems (SMS) like ISO 45001 and ANSI Z10 have been incorporated into organizations around the globe. There are certain aspects of the SMS's that incorporate facets of engineering, design, hazard observations, management leadership, employee involvement and employee training. Where does Human Factors Management fit in? Larry will interview Tim Page-Bottorff Senior Consultant with SafeStart to dive in on how this can be done.Tim answers questions like, “Can systems thinking involve employee participation?” And, "How should a safety professional integrate a human factors framework into their already existing SMS?” This show is sure to provide some insight not just for systems and resilience engineering, but to also help better cope with potential human factors like distraction, mental well being, and different states of mind.

    Governance and Leadership in Health and Safety with Dr. Waddah Ghanem and Bob Arnold

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2021 70:17


    Governance and Leadership in Health and Safety with Dr. Waddah Ghanem and Bob ArnoldWorkplace health and safety matters have become of significant importance. With changing regulations and standards being introduced globally, the effects on companies and negative impact on share values and reputation cannot be ignored.Many of the human, asset and economic incidents are caused by systemic issues emanating from a culture set at the top. H&S is now more than an operational or technical issue. Thus, we have seen the liabilities of directors increase to provide a stimulus for rectifying this situation. Executive teams want to ensure that the required range of values, behaviours, competences and management systems are defined and applied rigorously.The ISO 45001:2018 standard can bring about a step-change in the management of H&S to meet this higher expectation—especially with guidance and insights from the new book, Governance and Leadership in Health & Safety, authored by Dr. Waddah Ghanem and Bob Arnold.Learn from their extensive experience and the research they did for the book on Larry Wilson Live, an online talk show where the world's top leaders expand their mindset through “out of the box” discussion on pressing health and safety topics.You can contact Dr. Waddah Ghanem Al Hashmi at:waddah@pcllearning.comContact Bob Arnold at:bobarnold@bargroupltd.com Find there book here:https://www.routledge.com/Governance-and-Leadership-in-Health-and-Safety-A-Guide-for-Board-Members/Hashmi-Arnold/p/book/9781032023915- AND - Sign up for an in-depth 90-minute webinar on September 8th:https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4397541152568127504

    The Power of Napping and Why if You Snooze, You Win with Cara Moore

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2021 73:04


    The Power of Napping and why if you snooze... you WIN!Of course, the expression is, “If you snooze—you lose.”But that is more aligned with, “He who hesitates—is lost.” We all know that fatigue causes many unintentional incidents and injuries. It also impacts creativity and can greatly interfere with customer relations, whether they be inside or outside customers. So the negative aspects of fatigue are relatively well-known and well-documented. There are lots of very alarming statistics, especially with fatal motor vehicle collisions. And yet, there's resistance and skepticism about such a simple solution.Cara Moore, CEO of ProNappers, is a Nap Ninja and highly regarded executive and life coach. She unashamedly naps every day, in private or equally happily in plain sight! It is her superpower that makes her a positive powerhouse in business, for her family and in life.When Cara talks about the power of napping, she begins with the people who “need” to nap. They don't function well without one. So they need to be accommodated in order to be productive. I thought this was a brilliant way to start as it makes perfect sense. But from there she talks about the rest (of us). Even if we don't need to nap, the benefits are still very significant (huge in some cases). And finally, she talks candidly about the stigmas and stereotypes, and how many CEOs have to nap in secret to maintain their superhero image...she's got some pretty funny stories.Contact Cara at ProNappers Ltd. to learn about Nap School at your company:Cara.Moore@ProNappers.co.uk

    The Secrets of Summer Safety: It's Not Just Common Sense with Danny Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2021 65:08


    When it comes to summer safety the numbers are staggering. Why are there so many unintentional fatalities? Do people lose their “common sense” or is there a problem with their common sense? And what if you had the wrong information in the first place? It's hard to imagine how anyone's common sense could help them then. But perhaps the biggest problem is that people rely too much on fear of the hazard instead of the risk of the hazard. Fear tends to fade over time whereas the risk of going 60 mph or with water over your head remains constant.The secret to summer safety is not to tell people what they already know, or “don't do this” and “don't do that”. That part is common sense. It's the complacency part that most people don't know about. And then, once they realize the problem, they also need to know what they can do about it…which is also not common sense.

    What's NOT New, What Is, and What Works with Gary Higbee

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2021 67:29


    "What's NOT New."Larry Wilson Live with Gary Higbee, EMBA CSPGary is the CEO of Higbee & Associates, Executive Advisor SafeStart, and Principal Researcher & Forensic Investigator at North American Management Institute.“Everybody wants something new” he just shook his head, “I was doing that 40 years ago. I can't believe they're saying this is a new approach”. He was talking about a session he'd just attended on preventing serious injuries.“So what else isn't new?” I asked, and he started to list them off.“Pushing decision-making down to the shop floor - the Japanese have been doing that for decades”. That was the first one. But then there was another and another until finally I said, “Gary, we need to have you on the show. Because I can't imagine that any young safety professionals know any of this. And I wouldn't be surprised if the same thing was also true for a lot of seasoned safety professionals.”Gary was kind enough to say yes.Gary is a Certified Safety Professional with an MBA from the University of Iowa. He worked 32 years for John Deere in safety, environmental, production and engineering. Gary has earned numerous awards, like the 2010 Distinguished Service to Safety Award by the National Safety Council. With over 45 years of experience, Gary has become an internationally recognized speaker on safety, health, environmental and business issues. Gary also co-authored the book, Inside Out, with me and was instrumental in the development of SafeStart, so you won't want to miss this episode of Larry Wilson Live. 

    The Difficulties of Getting Modern Safety Into Old-School Education with Michael Cooke

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2021 55:00


    “The Difficulties of Getting Modern Safety Into Old-School Education”with Michael Cooke, Vice-President, Social & Environmental Responsibility at Jabil Group“Why aren't these concepts being taught in high-schools and trade schools?” he asked defiantly. “Well”, I said, “its not for lack of trying. But it's not as easy as you'd think.”“Why” he demanded, obviously not impressed. “Well, one thing is money. Even though it's significantly less expensive (80% discount) the schools want the school boards to pay for it out of their budget, and the school board wants the schools to pay for it out of theirs. They both want the students to get the training. They just want the other party to pay for it."“Oh”, he said, and walked away…However, not everyone did “walk away” figuratively speaking. A few other “brave souls” have also ventured into the arena. They have made some significant efforts to bring modern day safety technology and methodology to education. Michael Cooke is one of those people. His efforts started with a previous employer, but he has carried on with the Jabil Group. Both Michael and I understand the importance of getting safety into education. We also understand some of the difficulties and that the financial aspect mentioned before is just one challenge. Trying to train teachers is another (they don't make the best students). Despite these difficulties, there have also been some tremendous successes in places like Brazil, Colombia, Scotland, Switzerland, The Philippines, Suriname and of course Canada and the USA.To access the resources mentioned in the show, go to:www.booboobandits.comor www.larrywilsonlive.com/wilson

    ESG - What You Need to Know and What You Might Not Know with Dr. Waddah Ghanem

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2021 61:49


    “It sounds like a food additive, or at least thats the look I get when I ask some people about it” he said. I was talking with Dr. Ghanem about governance - at the board level and the conversation naturally turned towards ESG. “Some parts of it don't really concern the safety professional, like whether the company engages in bribery practices, but other parts do. The environment part is obvious, if you have HSE or EHS in your title, but some of the social is more than just traditional health and safety.”The net result of the conversation was that we both decided that there were probably a lot of questions that HSE professionals would like to ask about ESG, so we decided to do the show. About our guest:Dr. Waddah S. Ghanem Al HashmiBEng (Hons), MBA, MSc, DipSM, DipEM, AFIChemE, FEI, FIEMA, MIoD, F.GCCBDIGlobal Health and Safety Governance and Leadership ExpertChairman, Federal Occupational Health & Safety Committee, ESMA, United Arab EmiratesHon. Chairman, Energy Institute - Middle EastChairman, Professional Engineering Chapter – UAE Society of Engineers"Towards Understanding better; Environment, Social and Governance Factors..."The HSE practitioner is expected more and more to multi-task and understand so many more and new things as the developments in the corporate world change rapidly. In this episode Dr Waddah Ghanem Al Hashmi will give a brief overview of ESG to introduce this subject of fast-growing importance in the industry. From large corporates to start-ups and small companies, ESG indicators, voluntary and integrated reporting has become an important thing to understand. Many of the indicators that should be reported in live integrated and sustainability reports come from various integrated EHS key performance indicators.Waddah is considered one of the global authorities on governance and leadership in EHS. Waddah holds several academic and vocational qualifications including a Degree in Engineering, two Post Graduate Diplomas from the UK an MSc in Environmental Sciences from UAE University, an Executive MBA and a Doctorate from the University of Bradford in the UK and specialises in Corporate Governance and Leadership. He has received several awards in his career, most notably, the Rashid Prize for Scholarship Excellence in 2007 (Dubai), and the IEMA Sustainability Leader of the Year (UK) in 2019.Waddah has worked for the ENOC Group as EHSQ Director, Executive Director EHSSQ & Corporate Affairs and then Senior Director – Sustainability, Operational & Business Excellence. He had spent the last 24 years from being a consultant to an EHS Supervisor at the refinery to assistant EHS Advisor in the Group, later to grow the EHS Compliance function until he become Director, EHSQ Compliance. He now works in Marine Assurance and Logistics.

    Taking Human Factors to the "Far Side" of the Moon with Dr. Ajay P Kothari

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2021 67:51


    Taking Human Factors to the Far Side of the MoonFeaturing: Dr. Ajay P Kothari, President & CEO of Astrox Corporation and NASA Project Lead“But the Dark Side of the Moon sounds better…”“Yes,” he said “but we don't say that, we say far side. Otherwise all the scientists and people at NASA will think you don't know or that I didn't tell you...”“Right,” I said, “So ok, we'll go with Far Side”Whether you call it the “Dark Side” or the “Far Side” of the Moon, doesn't matter when it comes to human error or preventing human error. Although, as Ajay points out: it doesn't hurt so much if you trip and fall on the moon.However, the problems human factors can cause in terms of performance and critical errors could also be much more serious on the Moon or Mars. Typically, redundancy or multiple layers of redundancy have been the “go-to” strategy for preventing failure. But with people, multiple layers of redundancy beget more layers or an increased level of complacency.At what point does the redundancy become counterproductive? And, how does the “race for space” appetite of private enterprise mix with the mission statement of “zero failures”?These are some of the questions Larry and Ajay discuss, including the questions from the live audience, on this episode of Larry Wilson Live.

    The Evils of Automation vs. The Evils of Human Error with Marc Riquelme

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2021 62:23


    The Evils of Automation vs. the Evils of Human ErrorWith Marc RiquelmePresident of Signicast, CIREX, and OptiMIM, divisions of Form TechnologiesPeople make mistakes and robots don't. But are robots and technology actually replacing workers or is that just a misconception most people have? And is there really nothing you can do for human error except multiple layers of redundancy or is that also a widely held misconception? And finally, can you combine new technology with critical error reduction techniques to achieve higher reliability with the people who remain? The answer is yes, but it depends on how you go about it.In this episode, Marc Riquelme and Larry  discuss how to leverage technology and methodology to achieve higher levels of production, reliability, and safety within the organization. Marc is the President of three companies within Form Technologies and he has a great sense of humor, but he also has a number of important messages for senior managers and EHSQ professionals.

    Managing the Mega Project to Zero Harm with Hector Salazar

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2021 70:17


    Managing the Mega Project to Zero HarmWith Hector Salazar, GM of Construction Safety at HPCL-Mittal Energy LimitedBathinda, IndiaIt's a little airport. It was a small plane. And it was still another hour by cab before I got to Bathinda. But once onsite at the HMEL refinery, in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere, there was a huge mega-project going on. Thousands of workers coming and going. I counted 15 cranes—big cranes—but there might have been more. I got there before COVID. Things were on schedule and no lost time accidents. I got to present to the leadership group and Hector also go me in front of the managers or the onsite supervisors for all of the major contractors working on the project. Then COVID hit.Hector has been a guest on the expert panel webinars we did all over the world when we had a show about managing contractors through the pandemic. But that's been over a year. The project is still going on and things are still going very well. However, it isn't just what they have achieved—it's also about how they did it.

    Transforming a "Culture of Blame" with Pierre-Jean Paumard

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2021 65:45


    Even world-class companies can be hard pressed or have their progress stalled by “blame”. But for other companies, the problems blame can cause have been crippling: employee engagement goes close to zero, and as a result improvement at ground level is close to zero. Another problem blame creates is the perception of unfair or biased penalties being administered as punishment. And this could be anything from forcing the employee to take a safety training course to being fired for a safety violation or breaking a rule. Rarely is punishment seen as being fair and just—which then furthers or perpetuates the negative spiral.Okay, so blame creates negativity and apathy, both of which are counter-productive to any company's safety efforts. But what if you “inherit” or are already working in a culture of blame—what do you do? What can you do—that works, or that did work?Pierre-Jean can tell you.He got a job at a company that had a culture “steeped” or “deeply-rooted” in blame and punishment. It was the most negative safety culture he had ever encountered…and yet, he managed to turn it all around.

    April Fools COVID Update: It's Still No Joke—Don't Trip on the Finish Line with Anthony Panepinto

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2021 57:38


    We keep hearing about it. We're tired of hearing about it. But that doesn't mean it's over. And it doesn't mean it can't harm you or, although it seems to be a bit less - kill you. But even without going to the extreme, we all know there can be long-term heart problems, lung problems and more with COVID. So, why is it unravelling so badly? It might have something to do with complacency and perception, even though fines are doubling in some jurisdictions. Yet other areas are loosening up when all the numbers and the number of variant cases are all going up. It seems talking about this on April Fool's day is, well, quite appropriate. However, more to the point: what are leading companies doing to prevent a shut down/cleanup or another shut down?Some of you may have heard Anthony before. He has been on LarryWilsonLive before to talk about Health and the skills required to deal with an invisible hazard like COVID. This time he's back to provide some perspective for managers and health and safety professionals on vaccines, public health measures, the decline of the pandemic, recovery, and preparing for outbreaks in the future.

    Who Really Sold BBS to the World? with Jim Spigener

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2021 62:45


    Although Geller and Krause argue about who invented BBS, DuPont had already been doing it for years. And that's the point: BBS was not new but it became the topic of conversation in the early 1990s, and by the mid-90s it was global. Why did it take so long to “tip” and spread like wildfire?Or, is the real question: “Who.” Who got it to tip? To use Malcolm Gladwell's jargon, maybe Krause was the “maven” or expert, but Jim was the front-man or “salesman.”However, there's a twist because the third leg of Gladwell's stool is a “connector.” And when it comes to making a connection with safety or getting people to connect with safety, few people compare with Jim. (Larry can still remember stories he told at least 30 years ago—that's the kind of impact he has).In the episode, Jim explains how it was in the beginning: the early days of BBS and how it went from relative obscurity to mainstream technology. And then, where it went after (we went one way and they went another). And finally, what he sees in terms of the future and where or if BBS fits in.

    Turning Theory into Reality: What Really Works? with Keith Hole

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2021 60:20


    From the theoretical level of Mount Olympus to the shop floor, Keith Hole has seen it all and heard it all. What's real, what's not, and one thing you can be assured: he won't sugar-coat it.Many people and academic experts have opinions on what methodologies work best. But in the end, it's all about this: Why is it so difficult to get everyone home safe and, as if that's not enough, why is it so difficult to get everyone back to work safely? It's not like anyone wants to get hurt or wants anyone else to get hurt. So why is it so difficult? Which ones really work (Behavioural Based Safety, Safety Differently, 4.0, Human Factors and Safety 24/7)?It's hard to know. Only so many people have seen them play out in the real world. Even with the improvements in networking, most safety professionals simply do not get out enough, to enough workplaces to get the big picture. And most consultants who do get out enough are biased – because of the product or service they sell.That only leaves so many people, like Keith, who can give you his two-cents worth without charging you a dollar or a euro (which is ironic because unbiased advice is usually worth more).Keith has been in the industry, specializing in safety for over 20 years but his experience of behavioural techniques began well before this when he ran a pub, and then began training pub managers on how to manage behaviour (and if you can manage drunks you can probably do all right with anyone else).He is widely recognized as an expert on an international scale and has recently been nominated and recognized by SHP as one of the 25 most influential OSH practitioners. Keith is an active ambassador for IOSH's No Time to Lose Campaign which focuses on preventing occupational cancer. Drawing on his knowledge and experience of key principles such as Behavioural Based Safety, Safety Differently, Human Factors, and Safety 24/7 he will share some practical tips on getting people to do the right thing so that we can get everyone home safe.By the way, if you've never heard Keith speak, he is brilliantly funny. In his inimitable British style, Keith will share with us his unique spin on the world of safety which definitely won't be boring. So please tune in for what will be a very interesting look at the current state of the art, as it were, in terms of modern safety management, and an unbiased assessment of strategies that actually work – on the shop floor and in the real world.

    Integrating Human Factors into Operational Performance with Alex Carnevale

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2021 62:05


    In this episode of Larry Wilson Live, Larry discusses integrating human factors into quality, production efficiency, and customer relations with Alex Carnevale, President of Dynacast International and former Chief Performance Officer at Etex.They answer important questions like:Why are lessons learned combined with tremendous success so difficult to spread from Safety and Health to the other departments in the organization? Is it just the “silo effect”? Is it the message or is it the messenger (some safety professionals aren't at the same management level)? Or is it that the managers of the other departments view safety as something they have to contribute to in terms of time and money but gives them nothing directly in return (e.g. the sprocket needs to be guarded but the guard doesn't make it go any faster)? Or perhaps it's because many quality managers follow what Demming said: 85/15 (system vs. person)? But...that was 40 years ago. And many companies have, by now, achieved six sigma reliability within their manufacturing processes.Unfortunately, very few humans have achieved six sigma reliability. And now most people are doing more or are being asked to do more than ever before. So is the leverage (now) with the people or is it with the system? Data from many multinational companies in a broad cross-section of industries confirms that significant improvements or reductions in scrap, unscheduled downtime, first-run defects or customer complaints occurred simultaneously when employees received training on Human Factors. And yet, there has been a reluctance to push that success from safety into the other departments. But how many departments are not affected by human error?Alex Carnevale was the Chief Performance Officer at Etex when they rolled out training on human factors and critical error reduction techniques. He and Larry worked together on a pilot site in Ireland to help refine and test the “Performance” training program. So he is well aware of the successes and the benefits, as well as the struggle to get this through to the other departments within the organization. And now, with a new multi-national company he will face the challenges again... only this time we can all get to hear what he is thinking and how he is planning to do it. 

    Managing a Decentralized Workforce to World-Class Performance with Dr. Praveena Dorathi

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2021 53:31


    Larry Wilson Live is an online talk show where the world's top leaders will expand their mindset about the overall existing safety culture. An “out of the box” type discussion where Larry and his guests provide great insights for a perfect safety environment.This week Larry and guest, Dr. Praveena Dorathi, discuss "Managing a Decentralized Workforce to World-Class Performance." Dr. Praveena is the Environment Health & Safety Head for JLL West Asia.Managing any workforce to world-class performance isn't easy. However, managing a decentralized workforce where your employees are working on a client's premises has many additional challenges. And in order to achieve world-class performance you have to do everything or almost everything right: from senior management giving the “right” support down to each individual accepting their personal responsibility and working on improving their own safety skills and habits.Please join us as Dr. Praveena describes the journey JLL has been on, the successes they've had, the lessons learned and what she sees as their path forward. It should be a very interesting session.Dr. Praveena has been an expert panelist on several SafeConnection webinars in India, the Middle East and Europe. She is an entertaining speaker who has achieved remarkable results in environments where they have limited or minimal control.

    Integrating Human Factors into Process Safety with Dr. Waddah Ghanem

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2020 66:42


    In episode 3, Larry talks with ENOC's Senior Director of Sustainability, Operational & Business Excellence, Dr. Waddah Ghanem. Waddah is an expert in the field of process safety. In the show, he and Larry discuss some of the topics covered in his latest book, Process Safety Management and Human Factors: A Practitioner's Experiential Approach. This is a fascinating conversation about how human behaviour should be considered when designing your process safety management systems. Watch the full recording of the show on YouTube: Click Here

    The Challenge of a Global Roll Out with David Bianco

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2020 56:16


    In the first episode of Larry Wilson Live, David Bianco talks about his experience rolling out SafeStart with Epiroc's Surface Mining Division. David is the Epiroc Surface Division Global SHEQ Manager and knows the ins and outs of global safety initiatives. Together, Larry and David discuss what it takes to be successful and some of the key lessons you can take to your company. Watch the live show here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi_eupYSrrA&t=369s

    The Reality of Pandemic Management and Mismanagement with Anthony Panepinto

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2020 66:01


    In episode 2, Larry talks with Senior Director HSE at Procter and Gamble, Anthony Panepinto, about the ins and outs of managing the Covid 19 Pandemic. This conversation goes well beyond the workplace as they address the things you can do (and things you should avoid doing) to protect your employees and your family.Watch the live show here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWgQKq1I-K0&t=24s

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