Talking Safety (PDF)

Talking Safety summarises in a short user-friendly read the key element of safety leadership - the management and supervisor 'walk and talk'. Safety standards are set by a combination of three things: first, the basic systems: risk assessments, procedures, training, inductions and maintenance; second, the amount of objective learning about the inevitable weaknesses in these systems achieved from a 'Just Culture' perspective; and third, the quality of 'transformational' safety leadership which means coaching not telling, praising not criticising, leading by example and maximising front-line ownership and involvement. A good 'walk and talk' is the only methodology that covers all of these issues and really should be embedded as 'part of the way we do things around here'. It is the centrepiece of any world class safety culture. Although covering all the key safety research findings by academics including Sidney Dekker, Andrew Hopkins and James Reason as well as latest influencing skills techniques from recent advances such as 'nudge' theory it is written in an accessible style using everyday examples and case studies. You can use any of the five simple steps it outlines to make a difference day to day. Employ its advice fully and it will help you embed safety thinking, transform your safety culture and make safety part of 'the way we do things around here'.