Balance or Focus?
What are the psychosocial factors that affect our decisions when we are at risk? This is a broad question considering that psychosocial factors are comprised of social, cultural, and environmental influences that affect our behaviors and decisions. [1] For example, when you drive a motor vehicle, utilize a tool, or operate a machine the experiences you have had in life, the context those experiences occurred, and the context of social norms influence your decisions. The depth of the experience, prior education, social pressures, and the actual workplace environment affect our thoughts and behaviors. While these may seem unpredictable due to many variabilities, there are safety professionals and risk managers who are keenly aware of these variabilities and attempt to implement controls that will prevent losses. Think of these controls as layers and the hierarchy of controls provides a starting place, but to actually implement these tools becomes a challenge. For the safety professional or risk manager to evaluate the exposures and apply simple and relevant controls applicable to the size and scope of risk is a challenge because of psychosocial factors.
The inherent risks that exist in our world are:
Created by humans
Occur naturally
It is then foundational that when risk exists, we should seek ways to reduce that risk. And yet losses still occur. Not that humans want to experience loss, rather, they are subject to factors that are both innate and variables that are unseen. These variables are not easily quantifiable and when those who speak up about them are reproachfully reprimanded, shunned, refuted, or ignored then the hazards become unspeakable and the underlying source goes back to the root cause of leadership. The other influence of those working in a group can be seen in the memorable study conducted by Solomon Asch [2]. These are sociological and cultural in nature which becomes challenging to quantify and control. Physical hazards are more easily controllable through elimination and engineering methods. If the roads are icy, then do not drive. If the machine is in operation, then install a physical barrier to prevent people from touching the moving machine. Psychosocial factors exist which cause variabilities within our workplaces and cause unforeseen risks. Maintain balance and focus through prioritization control risks.
The wisdom of experience
When we are driving a motor vehicle we are familiar with its common components: steering wheel does this, pedal on the left does that, pedal on the right does this, levers on each side of the steering column activate certain features such as, headlights, windshield wipers and so forth. We become familiarized with the basic operational mechanics of a motor vehicle and our brains become able to activate other systems that are more luxurious such as climate controls, audio and even visual screens for passengers to view movies while in transit. These things all have inherent risks. We know this as humans and that these risks exist but without these motor vehicles, common societal access to basic living needs would become more difficult to acquire. That is the simple grocery store trip, the picking up of one’s child from daycare, and the rendezvous with friends at everyone’s favorite hiking spot. The inherent risks seem marginal and commonplace when we are frequently utilizing a motor vehicle that has integrated itself into our lives at an early age of life. Even though we have operated a vehicle thousands of times before, why at this moment does the risk manifest itself into an uncontrolled hazard thereby causing loss? The balance of risk includes the wisdom of experience.
The worker or the system?
Even utilizing a tool as an everyday object that is able to equip a worker with the ability to transform parts and materials into a beautiful facility for you to work, live or play has inherent risk. These risks are notably identified by safety professionals because when the risk manifests itself into an incident that causes harm or loss then leadership, financial professionals and insurance companies take notice. Not that the worker intentionally did anything wrong, rather, the inherent risk of using a tool became a manifestation of exerted energy onto the parts and materials as intended, and the energy exerted transferred to either the worker or another unintended object. The larger organizational systemic question is why was the worker using the tool at that time in that method? While these everyday objects appear harmless, the risks can be easily overlooked because the worker has been utilizing the object routinely to perform essential job functions as part of a means of survival to gain food, shelter and clothing to provide for self and, perhaps, family and did not have access to another tool. Or leadership did not specify which tool to use. These inherent risks while utilizing tools are not unknown to the worker, rather, they are intentionally balancing through concentrated mental focus the risks to perform the task at hand using a tool. If everyone else uses this tool then it must be acceptable. What are the priorities of the organization? What are the priorities of the worker? The balance of risk requires focus.
The correct practice
Sophisticated robotics have emerged in the workplace from major distribution hubs to vehicle manufacturing and each of these types of workplaces has inherent risks. Simple machines such as raising and lowering a bucket with a rope and pulley have inherent risks and so do activities like flying an aircraft to space and landing on a martian surface, or operating a submarine underwater. While humans recognize these risks, there is an insatiable desire to explore new ways of accomplishing the movement of goods, services and to attain knowledge through exploration. The eye is never satisfied with seeing or the ear of hearing something new. [3] And this desire to explore and research or advance human comfort of life causes us to stretch our imaginations to create new machines that have risks. While attempts have been made to control these risks through deep analysis and financial monitoring, there are still losses that occur and it is the safety professional’s responsibility to balance and focus through prioritization and organization the strategic path for a workplace. While operating modern machines have risk, what is the severity and likelihood that risk manifests into a loss? Will the bucket fall off the pulley? Or will the 10 story tower crane tip over? Will the aircraft fail? Will the submarine be acted upon by an external force in a war? Balance and focus requires operational discipline through correct practice.
“Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.” - Vince Lombardi
References
[1] https://dictionary.apa.org/psychosocial
[2] https://youtu.be/NyDDyT1lDhA
[3] King Solomon, Ecclesiastes 1:8
[4] https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/vince_lombardi_138158
