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Larry Wilson, Author and CEO, SafeStart, emphasises the critical importance of identifying "when" we're most vulnerable to complacency and critical errors. Read on:

As we keep exploring the series Paradigm Shifts in Safety, we’re excited for you to check out the eighth article in this 12-part series.

Lots of ground covered so far: hazardous energy and movement, three sources of unexpected events (over 95% in the Self-Area), the counter-intuitive nature of dangerous activities vs. actual outcomes and then why: because when both our eyes and mind are not on task, for that moment, we are defenseless.

So as mentioned in an earlier article, it’s not that we are totally defenseless, it’s that from time to time, we are “momentarily defenseless”. which is why you hear so many people talking about car wrecks or serious injuries, saying that I really wasn’t doing anything wrong, I wasn’t really speeding or rushing. Okay, I was a bit tired and I was thinking about a problem at work, or home, or whatever… and then (car wreck, bad fall, serious cut, blown knee, concussion, etc.).

So, figuring out “when”, becomes the crux of the matter. Unless we know when those moments will happen, knowing why we get hurt badly (eyes and mind not on task/no reflex) won’t help to prevent the next one. So, figuring out the “when” part is the key. And unfortunately, for so many years, the focus has been on “what” the people were doing and how much hazardous energy they were dealing with (which is important) but not, which is the main paradigm shift here, not nearly as important as figuring out when.

When will you or me or the next guy in line— when will we be most likely to make both critical errors at the same time—where there is also a significant amount of hazardous energy involved?

Well… it will likely be doing something that you have been doing for a while, because at the beginning of any activity where there is a fair bit of hazardous energy and the potential for injury – “awareness“ or “eyes and mind on task” – is very high (see Figure #1).

safestartdec2024

During this first period with an activity or skill it is possible and normally quite natural to self-trigger or to be able to self-trigger on the amount of hazardous energy. And as a result, it’s easy to stay focused. It may even seem, at least when you first start out, that it would be impossible to become complacent.

However, as we all know, the initial fear rarely lasts forever. And over a period of time, depending on the activity or skill required, we come to the first stage of complacency. This is where the fear or skill is no longer pre-occupying.

And as mentioned in previous articles, we don’t give our minds permission to wander. It happens without our permission or without making a decision to think about something else (Figure #1). So even if you don’t have anything else you need to think about or want to think about, your mind can still drift away.

But if you’re rushing, chances are it’s for a reason. It might be because you want to get there early. More likely, it’s because you don’t want to be late. Either way, that’s what most people think about when they’re rushing—not what is the risk in the moment – right now (driving really fast on a city street). And if the consequences for being late are going to be really bad (late for meeting at work)…

Click here for the full article and to learn why understanding when moments of vulnerability occur is key to prevention, not just focusing on what we’re doing. Discover how to shift your perspective and enhance your safety strategies: https://ae.safestart.com/paradigm-shifts/8-the-complacency-continuum-and-when-vs-what/

The event is taking place on 5 December. (Image source: Canva)

The Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS2024) will convene on 5 December during Abu Dhabi Business Week, uniting global leaders from government, industry, and international organisations to advance industrial safety standards and innovations.

The summit will explore critical safety challenges posed by interconnected systems and AI-driven technologies while promoting opportunities to standardise practices across borders. Discussions will emphasise sustainable growth, worker safety, and operational resilience.

Collaborating with Abu Dhabi Civil Defence and the Global Initiative for Industrial Safety (GIFIS), GMIS2024 will follow the "Manifesto for Global Industrial Safety" to propose actionable strategies for enhancing safety and resilience across industries.

The summit will feature insights from high-ranking officials, including H.E. Osama Amir Mohamed Fadhel from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), H.E. Brigadier General Salem Abdullah Bin Barak AlDhaheri of Abu Dhabi Civil Defence, and H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, the UAE’s cybersecurity chief.

Representatives from key Abu Dhabi entities, including ADIO and Abu Dhabi's Department of Economic Development, will also participate, reinforcing the emirate’s role as a leader in industrial innovation and safety.

Discussing safety 

Key sessions at GMIS2024 will spotlight critical advancements in industrial ecosystems and safety. “Make It In The Emirates: A Future Ready Ecosystem” will showcase the UAE as a global model for industrial innovation, while “Emergency Response 2.0: Reshaping the Future of Crisis Management & Fire Safety” will delve into cutting-edge technologies revolutionising crisis response.

The event will also introduce “The Manifesto for Global Safety: A Call to Action for Resilient and Safe Industries”, advocating for worker safety and seamless technological integration. Industry leaders such as the Institute for Manufacturing at the University of Cambridge and Axial Global Advisors will enrich discussions, reflecting the diversity of expertise across the industrial ecosystem.

H.E. Osama Amir Mohamed Fadhel, said, "Industrial safety is a cornerstone for sustainable growth and resilience in an era of rapid technological evolution. The Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit serves as a vital platform to unify efforts, share best practices, and implement innovative industrial safety frameworks that protect workers, enhance operational efficiency & productivity, and foster global collaboration."

Ryan Mitchell, Farnek's head of Quality, Health, Safety, Excellence, and Wellbeing (QHSEW). (Image source: Farnek)

Ryan Mitchell, Farnek's head of Quality, Health, Safety, Excellence, and Wellbeing (QHSEW), spoke on day two of the annual HSE MENA Forum, held at Le Meridien Hotel & Conference Centre, Dubai, on 13 November.

Farnek, a leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management company, shared insights on leveraging technology to enhance safety and operational efficiency.

The forum, which focuses on advancing health, safety, and environmental practices in critical industries like oil and gas, construction, and infrastructure, featured five sessions addressing compliance, risk management, corporate culture, and sustainability.

Mitchell’s session, ‘Fast-tracking Technology Through Revolutionising Safety and Efficiency’, highlighted the role of artificial intelligence and predictive tools in improving workplace safety and productivity. He discussed how embracing digital solutions could transform key HSE processes, driving compliance and risk reduction across industries.

The event provided a platform for industry leaders to explore emerging technologies and strategies, aligning HSE practices with sustainability and efficiency goals in an evolving industrial landscape.

“Incorporating digital HSE solutions offers a route to a safer workplace, augmented compliance, fewer incidents, and heightened operational efficiency. However, prudent planning and implementation, grounded in a profound understanding of organisational requirements and challenges, are vital prerequisites for success,” said Mitchell.

One such solution SAFETEK, which has been developed in-house by Farnek group company HITEK, is a digital safety management tool with the power of automation, which supports organisations that are trying to move from reactive to a more predictive approach.

“Our cloud and mobility-based solution has been built specifically to digitalise reporting, to work towards a safer workplace. SAFETEK improves reporting times and data analysis to provide insights for preventative action,” said Mitchell.

“This reduces downtime and ensures business continuity, which can lead to cost savings for organisations through reduced incidents, better resource allocation, improved efficiency and ultimately, a safer working environment,” added Mitchell.

This partnership combines AIQ’s AI technology with Kent’s expertise in digital engineering. (Image source: AIQ)

Abu Dhabi-based AIQ, a pioneer in artificial intelligence solutions for the energy industry, has entered into a strategic partnership with Kent, a global leader in engineering and digital services.

The collaboration, unveiled at ADIPEC 2024, aims to push the boundaries of engineering optimisation and digital transformation in the energy sector.

This partnership combines AIQ’s AI technology with Kent’s expertise in digital engineering and project execution to deliver innovative, efficient, and sustainable solutions.

Key areas of focus include the development of an AI-powered platform to optimise Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED), enhancing the productivity and capabilities of engineering teams.

The agreement also prioritises the exploration of autonomous operations, digital twin technologies for advanced asset management, and applications aimed at improving health, safety, and environmental standards.

Magzhan Kenesbai, acting managing director of AIQ, commented, “AIQ is at a pivotal stage in its development as we seek to expand our capabilities and geographies of operation. Collaborating with an established engineering and solutions provider like Kent will allow us to accelerate the scale and delivery of our transformational AI solutions as we progress autonomous and intelligent systems across the entire energy value chain.”

Tush Doshi, chief operating officer at Kent, said, “Working with AIQ allows us to combine our engineering and project management expertise with cutting-edge AI technology to address some of the most pressing challenges in the energy sector. We are committed to delivering solutions that not only meet today’s demands but also pave the way for a more resilient, sustainable, and digitally driven future. Together, we can create innovative solutions that make a real impact for our clients and the industry.”

Day two expanded on themes of resilience and innovation. (Image source: Alain Charles Publishing)

The HSE MENA 2024 conference, held on 12-13 November, convened health, safety, and environment professionals in Dubai for a forward-thinking exploration of sustainability, organisational safety, and technological advancements in HSE.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dubai, UAE: The two-day event, held at Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, brought together industry leaders, experts, and innovators to share insights and strategies aimed at enhancing workplace safety, resilience, and sustainability across the Middle East.

The conference opened with a presentation on leadership in sustainability by Dr. Rashed Mohammed Karkain, sustainable development expert at the Sustainable Development Research and Training Institute, who highlighted the necessity of environmental sustainability and global equity in driving organisational and societal progress.

Sessions on the first day focused on proactive safety governance, with insights from Thomas Meier, Executive Consultant at Krause Bell Group, who highlighted how organisations can develop stronger Serious Injury and Fatality (SIF) prevention strategies. Delegates were introduced to cutting-edge strategies for incident prevention through AI and data insights by Hussain Suliman Rasul, senior solutions consultant at Enablon, showcasing how digital tools empower proactive safety practices.

Using AI for hazard identification

Day two expanded on themes of resilience and innovation, featuring sessions on emergency preparedness and leveraging AI in health surveillance.

A standout panel explored the integration of advanced technologies into personal protective equipment and predictive analytics for transforming incident management and operational optimisation. Lt Cdr Mahendra Hakde, founder and managing director of CUDE Analyser, and Ryan Mitchell, head of QHSEW at Farnek Services, provided insights into applying smart infrastructure and digital tools for proactive hazard identification and cost efficiency.

Key discussions also examined managing psychosocial hazards, with Sultan Karrani, senior engineer at ADNOC, addressing the mitigation of fatigue and stress to enhance workforce well-being and productivity.

Closing sessions delved into fostering a strong safety culture and driving social sustainability through comprehensive assessments and governance frameworks, led by Maged Elkassaby, IOSH chartered member and business assurance representative.

Networking breaks and interactive panel discussions enabled delegates to connect with peers, share best practices, and explore the latest HSE technologies in the exhibit hall.

HSE MENA 2024 stood out for its focus on innovation and collaboration, offering a platform to shape the future of HSE management in the region. Participants left equipped with knowledge and tools to drive safety and sustainability across their organisations.

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