PreAccident Investigation Podcast

Welcome to the latest episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast, where we delve into the critical topic of psychological safety and reporting culture in the workplace. Today's discussion is sparked by insights from Brett Torrent, who has observed over his 20-year management career four distinct reasons why employees may hesitate to report issues. These reasons are rooted in fear of blame and punishment, previous reporting f...

In this episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast, Todd Conklin reflects on the importance of masterfully understanding the fundamentals. Through a fascinating conversation with a renowned physicist, he discusses the intersection of chaos physics and human performance, emphasizing the need to begin every discourse at the start, not where we currently are.

Todd shares insights into a thrilling new bike trail by his home and...

In this insightful episode, Todd Conklin leads a fascinating discussion on the concept of counterfactuals with experts Robert Waterhouse and Zoe Gulley from Energy Safety Canada. They delve into the limitations of traditional accident investigations and how long-standing practices may not serve us well in truly understanding incidents and improving performance.

The conversation focuses on causal reasoning, distinguishing it from ne...

In this engaging episode, host Todd Conklin kicks off with a delightful chat about Milo's tea, leading into a compelling panel discussion with Bob Edwards, Mark Yeston, and Andrea Baker. The conversation explores the journey of organizational transformation, focusing on shifting from traditional safety views to a new perspective that emphasizes human performance and operational learning.

Join the team as they dissect the stages of...

Join host Todd Conklin as he recounts a humorous and eye-opening experience at a Houston airport, navigating an empty TSA line designed for a crowd. Dive into the conversation about design choices and their impact on efficiency and effectiveness, guided by insights from Don Norman's work. Explore how our systems often dictate behavior, and why their design matters, especially when they seem absurd. This episode raises important que...

In this episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Safety Podcast, host Todd Conklin delves into the complex topic of toxic uncertainty and its impact on organizations. Through engaging discussions, Todd explores how leaders can guide their teams through an ever-changing world by embracing diversity and making incremental adaptations.

Reflecting on lessons learned during the pandemic, Todd emphasizes the importance of monitoring pr...

Welcome to the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast with your host Todd. Join Todd and Jennifer Long as they discuss their new book, Workers Are Not the Problem, Workers Are the Solution: A Guide to Leading Differently. The conversation delves into the intersection of leadership, accountability, and the evolving work environment.

The discussion highlights the importance of addressing leadership biases and adapting to contemporary wor...

Join us for the concluding part of an insightful conversation with Edgar Schein as he delves into the intricacies of embedding sustainability within organizational cultures, with a focus on safety. Discover why understanding and integrating sustainable practices are crucial from top management to middle managers. Dr. Schein lays out 12 key factors for effectively embedding values into a company culture and stresses the importance o...

Welcome to the Pre-Accident Podcast with Todd Conklin, where today marks the first part of an enlightening two-part series featuring Edgar Schein and his son Peter. This episode dives deep into the nuances of trust and openness within organizational culture, particularly in relation to safety and effectiveness.

Throughout this engaging conversation, Edgar Schein shares his experiences working with major companies and industries, i...

In this episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast, host Todd is joined by Georgina Poole, a safety professional from Australia, to discuss a wide range of topics about modern safety initiatives and leadership. Georgina shares her research findings on what creates sustainable change in organizations and the role of leadership in these transformations.

The conversation delves into the challenges of measuring safety improvemen...

Join Todd Conklin on an insightful journey as he delves into the complexities of today's ever-changing world. In this episode, Todd challenges the often-celebrated notion of "Move Fast and Break Things," urging listeners to reassess their approach to change and uncertainty. He highlights the need for organizations to focus on delivering excellence amidst chaos, emphasizing the importance of foundational principles that guide human ...

Join Todd Conklin on the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast as he dives into an enlightening conversation with David Woods, the pioneer behind The Ohio State University's Cognitive Systems Engineering Laboratory. This episode unravels the intricate layers of resilience engineering and its foundational role in understanding safety, adaptability, and the dynamics of compromise in complex systems.

Listen as Professor Woods shares ins...

In this enlightening episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast, host Todd Conklin engages in a compelling conversation with Vance Walker, an expert in integrating Maori cultural practices with modern health and safety systems. As an indigenous professional deeply involved with Maori communities in New Zealand, Vance explores how culturally resonant safety practices can enhance risk perception and communication, particularly...

This is Part Two of a two-part discussion.  In this engaging episode of the Pre-Accident Podcast, host Todd Conklin continues the conversation with Doug Parker and Jim Frederick in part two of their insightful discussion. They explore the evolving role of OSHA and how it navigates enforcement and assurance to improve workplace safety. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, the episode highlights the proactive measures taken ...

In this special episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Safety Podcast, hosted by Todd Conklin, we take a moment to honor the legacy of James Reason, a prominent figure in the field of safety and human error study, who passed away on February 5th, 2025. James Reason revolutionized the way we understand human errors, particularly in complex systems, with groundbreaking concepts such as the Swiss cheese model and the theory of a ju...

Welcome to the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast with Todd Conklin. In this exciting two-part episode, Todd sits down with former OSHA administrators Doug Parker and Jim Frederick. Together, they dive into the world of OSHA, sharing their experiences and insights from working at the forefront of occupational safety and health governance.

Doug and Jim open up about their time at OSHA, discussing what they feel proud of accomplishi...

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Pre-Accident Podcast hosted by Todd Conklin! In this engaging conversation, Todd shares his recent extensive travels across Europe and Asia, the exhaustion that follows, and the reflections it brought. This episode takes a closer look at the intriguing debate of whether the methods used in workplace safety are merely manipulative or cleverly designed for efficiency and security.

Through ...