How often in an incident investigation have you identified the root or contributing cause as 'human factors' or 'human error'?

• Someone has made a mistake or an error in judgement
• They haven't followed the procedure or process
• They have misjudged the situation
• They didn't have their eyes or mind on the task
• They were rushing
• They were complacent
• They were operating on autopilot
• They put themselves in the line of fire
• They were distracted

The list goes on. It is 'easy' to attribute the cause of an incident to the human factor/element. However, there will always be a human factor/element when working with humans because the human brain has limitations.

Sure, they may not have had their mind on the task, but that is not a deliberate action. It is because the brain has limitations. And Yes, they may have put themselves in the line of fire, but that may be a result of a subconscious reaction - have you ever braked when you saw a police car when you are driving even though you know you are not speeding?

If we are serious about improving workplace safety, we need to look beyond the traditional 'human factors' we need to understand how the human brain works, its operating principles and its limitations and then apply this knowledge to the way we 'manage' workplace safety including our policies, procedures, induction and training, how we investigated incidents and how we determine control measures to minimise hazards and risks in the workplace.

When we work with human beings, we need to work with the human brain, not against it, if we are serious about improving workplace safety.

In this 2.5 hour masterclass, you will gain an insight into:

• How the human brain works, including its limitations, and why everyone's perception of risk is different
• The brain's natural operating principles and the impact that may have on workplace safety
• How to conduct a workplace investigation in a 'brain-friendly' way, enabling you to identify the true root and contributing factors, and
• How to identify and implement brain-friendly control measures that work with the human brain and not against it.

Your facilitator

This masterclass is facilitated by Deanne Boules, Founder and Chief Enabling Officer at Insync Workplace Solutions. Deanne is an experienced investigator and people, safety and culture expert.

A former police officer and WHS inspector with Workcover (now SafeWork) NSW, she has attended more workplace fatalities and serious injury incidents than she can remember. Deanne has helped put bodies in body bags and has knocked on families' doors to tell them their loved one is not coming home or has been seriously injured. She has investigated and prosecuted companies for failing to provide safe systems of work.

Like many of you, she has asked the question way too many times, 'why do people do what they do' or 'why do they make the decisions they make' which led her to study psychology and neuroscience to understand better how the human brain works and how that impacts on workplace safety and performance.

Now she applies her knowledge and experience to help individuals and organisations across the world build high performing, inclusive, physically and psychologically safe workplaces where everyone can bring their whole authentic self to work, feel valued, have a sense of belonging, thrive and go home safe and well each day.