Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) is a proactive and holistic approach to improving safety, efficiency, and overall organizational performance. HOP principles challenge traditional paradigms by acknowledging that humans are fallible, and errors are inevitable. Instead of blaming individuals for incidents, HOP seeks to understand the contextual factors that drive behavior and focuses on organizational learning to prevent future occurrences. As the beginning of a series on HOP, this essay briefly explains the six core principles of HOP. Throughout this series, EHS professionals will discover ways that HOP practices can be incorporated to create safer and more productive work environments.
- Error is Normal
The first principle of HOP recognizes that errors are an inherent part of human behavior. Humans are not infallible, and even the most skilled and conscientious workers can make mistakes. Instead of attributing incidents solely to individual failures, organizations must accept that errors are normal and expected. By embracing this principle, companies foster a culture of psychological safety, encouraging employees to report near-misses and incidents without fear of punishment. This open reporting culture facilitates learning from errors and near-misses, leading to improved safety protocols and systems.
- Blame Fixes Nothing
Blaming individuals for errors is counterproductive and detrimental to organizational improvement. The second HOP principle emphasizes that assigning blame does not fix the root causes of incidents; it only leads to fear, secrecy, and defensive behaviors. When workers fear punishment, they are less likely to report errors, hindering organizational learning and the identification of systemic issues. Instead of blaming, organizations should focus on understanding the contributing factors, both human and systemic, to develop effective preventive measures.
- Context Drives Behavior
The third HOP principle highlights the powerful influence of organizational context on employee behavior. Human behavior is shaped by the work environment, procedures, and available resources. If the workplace culture prioritizes production over safety, for example, employees may feel pressured to take shortcuts or bypass safety protocols, leading to an increased risk of incidents. Organizations must create a supportive environment that emphasizes safety as a core value and provides the necessary resources to maintain it. A positive safety culture encourages safe behaviors and empowers employees to take responsibility for safety.
- Organizational Learning is Essential
The fourth HOP principle stresses the significance of continuous organizational learning. Learning from incidents, near-misses, and successes is critical for enhancing safety and performance. Organizations should establish robust learning systems that analyze events without blame, identify contributing factors, and implement corrective actions. This learning process involves sharing knowledge across departments and disseminating best practices. By promoting a learning culture, organizations can continuously improve their processes, reducing the likelihood of recurring incidents.
- Response Matters
The fifth HOP principle emphasizes the importance of a swift and appropriate response to incidents. A proactive response to incidents can mitigate their impact and prevent their escalation. Rather than focusing solely on blame or punitive measures, organizations should prioritize understanding the underlying causes and developing corrective actions. A well-executed response demonstrates the organization’s commitment to safety and employee well-being, inspiring trust and confidence among the workforce.
- Controls Save Lives
The sixth HOP principle underscores the significance of controls in preventing incidents and protecting lives. To count as a control, it must be a physical object, system, and/or human action. Additionally, it must arrest or mitigate an unwanted event sequence. Lastly, it must also be specifiable, measurable, and auditable. Emphasizing controls in the workplace demonstrates an organization’s commitment to safety and its responsibility to safeguard employee well-being. By proactively identifying and implementing appropriate controls, companies can significantly reduce the likelihood of incidents and their potential severity.
By promoting organizational learning, HOP proves to be the most effective way to build truly proactive safety programs. Taking an innovative approach to incident management and organizational performance that includes context and positive reinforcement, HOP principles revolutionize traditional safety paradigms. The next article in this series will further investigate the first element of HOP, acknowledging that errors are normal. This mentality shift will teach appropriate responses to incidents and further strengthen an organization’s commitment to employee well-being and safety. By adopting all six HOP principles, organizations can achieve higher levels of safety, productivity, and overall success.
AUTHOR BIO:-
Cary comes to the SafetyStratus team as the Vice President of Operations with almost 30 years of experience in several different industries. He began his career in the United States Navy’s nuclear power program. From there he transitioned into the public sector as an Environmental, Health & Safety Manager in the utility industry. After almost thirteen years, he transitioned into the construction sector as a Safety Director at a large, international construction company. Most recently he held the position of Manager of Professional Services at a safety software company, overseeing the customer success, implementation, and process consulting aspects of the services team.
At SafetyStratus, he is focused on helping achieve the company’s vision of “Saving lives and the environment by successfully integrating knowledgeable people, sustainable processes, and unparalleled technology”.
