PreAccident Investigation Podcast

Remembering Jim Howe: A Safety Pioneer

So we lost a good friend this weekend, and I wanted to take a moment and just celebrate the life of Jim Howe.  This is just a little special podcast. I hope you take a minute and listen to it just because Jim Howe is somebody really special that if you don't know, I wish you did know him. And if you do know him, you totally know why I had to say a few words.
Jim's a remarkable force. I guess maybe it's more accurate to say Jim was a remarkable force. That's hard. But Jim, I think, carried more than his fair share of the weight of moving safety into more contemporary thinking. And he did it in such interesting ways. You know, he was on all these international standards committees, and he helped write a lot of the international standards for safety and for investigatory work and for certification and audits and assessments. And he did that because he knew it would matter, because he knew in essence that was his legacy, is if you want to change a bureaucratic function, you have to change the bureaucratic function. And his belief was, because he told it to me many times, that his voice in the room was often the only voice that was speaking for looking at these problems differently than we have before. And Jim was amazing at that.
Jim spent years in safety. I know for certain he was at the United Auto Workers as the assistant director of safety, and he was at UAW for 20 years, maybe even a little longer. And he ended up at that assistant director spot, and he really led a lot of the more significant efforts that UAW did throughout North America. He's done many, many, many serious critical investigations, fatality investigations. And he was quite amazing at that work, which you have to just be thoughtful that that's an area that I'm not sure how much you want to be amazing at, but he was. He was incredibly good at it. But what I think he liked even more was going out and doing site visits because he did hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of site visits. And I think he liked most of all talking to the people. At least that's certainly my impression.
I've known Jim for a lot of years, certainly more than 10 years. And I have lots of stories about Jim and funny things that happened and how easy it was to get him to laugh and how much he enjoyed the laughter. But I think what most comes to my mind is how thoughtful Jim was about the people and how much he cared about the people and how much he cared about providing, really, an opportunity for the world to be a better place. So, you know, I talk all the time about what is meaningful work. Well, the answer is good work done well for the right reasons. And if I had to pick somebody that exemplified that, it would be Jim. Good work, done well, for the right reasons. Jim's remarkable, and he will be missed.
And after a four-year struggle with prostate cancer, he lost it gallantly this weekend. And our thoughts are with him and certainly with his family, but even more importantly, with everybody he touched. changed throughout the globe, but certainly specifically throughout North America. Jim, we'll miss you, my friend. It was good to know you. You made the light of the world a little bit brighter, and that's amazing. So to our friend Jim Howe, what a great life you lived, and what a significant contribution you gave, not just to us who do this work, work but to everybody who has to work jim we'll miss you.

PAPod 507 - Proactive Safety in Pediatric Healthcare: A Conversation with Jenna Merandi and James Won

Welcome to the latest episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast, hosted by Todd Conklin. In this enlightening discussion, Todd is joined by Jenna Miranda and James Wan, two extraordinary professionals making significant strides in the field of pediatric healthcare.
Jenna Merandi, a medication safety officer at Nationwide Children's Hospital, shares her journey in reducing adverse drug events and implementing proactive safety measures. Learn about the innovative approaches and collaborative efforts that have helped her team break through safety plateaus and improve patient outcomes.
James Won, a human factors expert from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, delves into the importance of designing systems that fit human capabilities. Discover how pediatric hospitals are leading the way in embracing human factors and proactive safety, setting a benchmark for healthcare innovation.
This episode is a deep dive into the evolving landscape of healthcare safety, the challenges of measuring proactive efforts, and the fearless, patient-first mentality driving these advancements. Don't miss this engaging conversation that highlights the power of proactive safety and the impact of collaboration across industries.

Safety Moment - Risk is Fluid

PAPod 506 - Santa Fe Conference: Pre-Accident Insights from Santa Fe

Welcome to the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast! Join our host and special guests, Jay Allen and Jennifer Long, as they dive into the upcoming meeting in Santa Fe from September 10th to 12th. This episode is filled with excitement as we discuss the venue, the Drury Inn Plaza Hotel, and its unique history.
Our main focus is on the critical topic of accountability in safety practices. Jennifer Long sheds light on implementing accountability strategically and culturally within organizations. We also touch upon the intriguing connection between mental health and safety, particularly in high-risk industries like construction.
Get a sneak peek into the workshop layout, designed to build language and fluency in managing reliable and resilient operations. Whether you're a beginner or bringing along decision-makers, this conference offers valuable insights for everyone. Plus, discover the culinary delights and biking opportunities that Santa Fe has to offer during the Wine and Chili festival.
Don't miss out on this enriching experience! For more information and to secure your spot, visit safetyfm.io. Join us in Santa Fe for an event that's sure to enhance your understanding of safety and accountability. Learn, enjoy, and stay safe!

Safety Moment - Summer Safety Tips and Embracing Imperfect Knowledge

Welcome to another episode of Todd Conklin's Pre-Accident Investigation Safety Moment. In this brief yet insightful segment, Todd shares two essential tips for the summer season.First, he emphasizes the importance of staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Dehydration is a common issue, and ensuring you consume enough water can significantly impact your well-being.Second, Todd delves into the concept of imperfect knowledge. When faced with situations where you lack complete understanding or information, he advises seeking out differing opinions and perspectives. This approach helps to bridge knowledge gaps and fosters continuous learning.Tune in to discover how embracing diverse viewpoints can lead to better problem-solving and organizational growth. Remember to stay curious, have fun, and prioritize safety.

PAPod 505 - Unlocking Resilience Engineering: A Conversation with Asher Balkin

Welcome to the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast, hosted by Todd Conklin. In this episode, Todd sits down with Asher Balkin from The Ohio State University's Cognitive Systems Engineering Lab. Asher is a brilliant researcher known for his work in resilience engineering and his ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible manner.
Join Todd and Asher as they delve into the challenges and opportunities in the field of resilience engineering. They discuss the difficulties in making advanced research widely accessible and the importance of translating complex ideas for broader audiences. Asher shares insights into the lab's efforts to bridge the gap between academic research and practical application, particularly in industries with high exposure to failure such as healthcare, IT, and aviation.
Learn about the lab's innovative approaches to education, including short courses designed to make resilience concepts more attainable for professionals. The conversation also touches on the importance of building strong partnerships between academia and industry to foster a more resilient and adaptable world.
Don't miss this engaging and enlightening discussion that promises to leave you with a deeper understanding of resilience engineering and its critical role in today's ever-changing environment.

Safety Moment - Embracing the Yellow: Rethinking Safety Indicators

Hey, everybody. Todd Conklin here with a Pre-Accident Investigation Safety Moment. Can you tell it's summer? Today, we're diving into a crucial topic that's been coming up a lot lately: the significance of the green light on your progress chart.
One of the things that I think is so important to understand is that you should fear the green, embrace the yellow, and understand the red. The green light doesn’t really tell you anything, and fatalities and catastrophic failures often live in the green light. So, as leaders, it’s essential to question what's happening when everything seems fine.
Catastrophic failure doesn’t live in the yellow light because you’re already examining it. It sure doesn’t live in the red light because the red light gets a lot of attention and resources. But the green light? It’s often overlooked because it’s not “squeaky.”
That is your safety moment for today. Short and sweet. Learn something new every single day. Have as much fun as you possibly can. Be good to each other. Be kind to each other. And for goodness’ sakes, be safe.

PAPod 461 - The Admiral's Journey: Redefining Safety in Naval Aviation RE-MIXED

Join Todd Conklin on this enlightening episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast as he sits down with retired Rear Admiral John Meyer of the United States Navy. Dive into a fascinating discussion about Admiral Meyer’s innovative approach to safety, his unique journey, and the transformative steps taken within naval aviation to enhance safety protocols.From the creation of a simulation center for aircraft movement on flight decks to a paradigm shift in leadership thinking, this episode offers valuable insights into managing safety in complex environments. Learn how Admiral Meyer's dedication and forward-thinking have led to significant improvements and what advice he has for current and future leaders.Don't miss this compelling conversation that blends philosophy, practical solutions, and leadership wisdom, all aimed at making the workplace safer for those who serve. Tune in to discover how small changes can lead to monumental impacts in safety and operations.

Safety Moment - Good Leaders, Great Learners: The Path to Effective Leadership

In this episode of Pre-Accident Investigation Safety Amendment, Todd Conklin explores a crucial aspect of effective leadership: the connection between learning and leading. He emphasizes that good leaders are inherently good learners and delves into the importance of embracing the unknown.
Todd highlights the value of continuous learning and the humility it requires, suggesting that leadership success comes from a willingness to seek knowledge and understand the intricacies of organizational processes and employee experiences.
Tune in to discover how embracing the journey of learning can enhance your leadership skills, making you a more effective and empathetic leader. Remember, the more you know, the better you lead.
Join us for this insightful discussion and take away practical tips to improve your leadership approach. As always, stay curious, be kind, and stay safe.

PAPod 504 - Transforming Safety Culture in Children's Hospitals: Part 3

Welcome to the final part of our three-part series on patient and worker safety in children's hospitals across North America. In this episode, we dive into the evolution of employee safety and health practices, focusing on the challenges and successes experienced over the past few years.
Discover how hospitals have shifted from having no data or willpower to address staff safety, to now having 95 hospitals submitting critical safety data. Learn about the innovative strategies used to engage leadership, including board training and distributed leadership models, which have significantly influenced hospital culture and safety practices.
We also explore the importance of asking the right questions and fostering a proactive safety culture. The episode concludes with reflections on how to sustain these improvements and the exciting potential for spreading these practices across multiple hospitals.
Join us for this insightful conversation that highlights the power of collective learning and the ongoing journey to enhance safety in healthcare environments.