‘Mindful’ Health & Safety Culture: Familiarity

Familiarity breeds…

Recently on a safety audit a study group watched a three-person welding team do some heavy repair work. They were experienced, highly competent professionals, working in a coordinated way, simultaneously, on different parts of a very large piece of equipment. It was just amazing what they were able to do.

When the group had the chance to talk with them, they asked a “how do you know where the other guys are and what they are doing while you are working over here?” kind of question. Their response was, “We have worked together for a long time… we know what the other guys are going to do.” As true as that may be, they were describing the very conditions that make it critical to stay mindful.