Safety Net | February 2022

THE SAFETY NET CO N SU LT

FEBRUARY 2022

•

DESIGN

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ENGINEER

IT’S ALWAYS SAFETY FIRST. •

CONSTRUCT

VOLUME 16 ISSUE 02

Set Up an Ergonomic Home Office Before You Destroy Your Body 10.08.2021 | Popular Science by Jeremy Cook

SAFETY FIRST. Austin employees have worked 4,643,033 hours without a Lost Time Accident through 12/2021.

It all starts with the chair.

weight of your arms, and you’ll also inherently apply more

A less-than-subtle reminder to leave your chair every hour is

pressure to your wrists while using a keyboard and mouse.

the ultimate ergonomic addition to your workspace.

Speaking of keyboards, traditional models force you to

A lot of things changed when the COVID-19 pandemic

place your hands side-by-side, which means you have

started, but one of the biggest was the way we work. As authorities asked people to stay home, many of us turned a corner of our own space into an office, a trend that will likely continue and become a silver lining of this worldwide health crisis.

The flip side is that if you’re working from home, you are responsible for creating a work environment that lets you do your job, without the equipment your employer usually provides. You might be tempted to splurge on a good

to angle your arms inward and bend your wrists to place them parallel to each other. A solution I’ve personally found helpful are ergonomic keyboards, which position keys at an angle more closely aligned to the natural bend of your arms.

And if you want to take things to the next level, consider split keyboards, which have left and right sections that can be individually positioned. Some models can even be lifted up, or “tented” outward to further encourage the natural

ergonomic chair and call it a day, but while that’s helpful,

orientation of your arms and wrists.

there’s a lot more to it.

If talking on the phone is a big part of your job, a set of

The study of workspace ergonomics is a broad field, but

wireless headphones or earbuds can be hugely beneficial.

getting to know the basics will help you build a place

This not only frees up your hands so you can type or take

where you can be both comfortable and productive.

notes, but it also keeps you from cradling your phone

GET THE PROPER GEAR

The last piece of a fully ergonomic workstation is the desk.

between your shoulder and ear.

While not the end of the story, a proper chair—preferably

The best ergonomic desks keep you sitting straight, but

with a number of possible adjustments—is, in fact, a good

also comfortably, with your wrists in a neutral position.

place to start your ergonomic journey.

They’re crucial for anyone who spends hours sitting down each day.

Not all chairs are created equal. Make sure you get yourself

ADJUST YOUR SETUP

an ergonomic chair for support those long hours sitting down. You should look for elbow support when it’s time to pick one, says Craig Vecchiarelli, a physical therapist who

If you have a theme for your desk, you can always find a stand for your monitor that matches that aesthetic.

specializes in improving people’s at-home work setups.

You could invest a lot of money into getting the best chair,

Without a place to put your elbows, your neck and upper

the most comfortable keyboard, and the most versatile

back muscles will have to work harder to support the

desk, but all the tools in the world won’t help you if you

don’t make some adjustments to your setup. And don’t

normally wouldn’t be able to.

worry—some of these don’t require you to spend any

I use USB Overdrive on my Mac to allow for enhanced

money at all.

keyboard and mouse functionality, like mapping my extra

According to the Mayo Clinic, your display should be

trackball buttons for forward and backward navigation.

about an arm’s length away, and your wrists should be

Windows users might want to try AutoHotkey for enhanced

straight when typing, with hands at or below the level of

input functionality.

your elbows. Your knees should be roughly level with your hips when sitting, and the top of your display should be

VARIETY IS KEY

positioned at or just below your eyes.

My background is in industrial automation, and if there’s

As someone who has worked from home since well before COVID-19, your first adjustment priority should be to get your monitor off of the desk to prevent you from bending your neck down. There are a wide variety of solutions to this problem at various price points, but you can always go for a simple stack of books under your display.

Notably, unused textbooks can work well, though it may

one thing I know assembly line workers suffer from, it’s repetitive stress injuries. These are very common and result from doing a particular action or movement over and over (and over and over) again. This can inordinately wear on certain parts of the body, but workers can easily avoid it by switching tasks often during the day at a regular interval, or even have organized stretching breaks.

be annoying to consider that this type of stand likely costs

You can apply the same principle to your home office. If

more than the monitor itself.

you have an adjustable desk, for example, it’s better to

Make sure your desk and chair are at the right height to allow your thighs to sit parallel to the floor—this can mean using a foot stool or placing bed raisers under the desk to lift it up. Ideally, one should sit leaning slightly backward. Beyond that, Vecchiarelli says knee joints need

switch constantly between sitting and standing than to stay in one position throughout the day. You can also change things up on a smaller scale—my trackball can be rotated between 0 and 20 degrees, which I do occasionally to give my wrist a break.

to be positioned beyond the edge of the chair, which is

Additionally, you should get up and stretch or be active

sometimes challenging for shorter people. You can often

for 10 minutes every one or two hours, depending on

set this up correctly by using a chair’s lumbar support, but

what you’re comfortable with. If you keep forgetting to

if yours doesn’t have that option, you can instead use a

do so, you can set up your Fitbit or smartwatch to prompt

separate lumbar support, a pillow, or even a rolled-up towel.

you, though using a good ol’ timer can also get the work

GET SOME HELP FROM YOUR SOFTWARE

done. If you want to take it to the next level, working from home has the distinct advantage that if you want to do

Almost everything you do on your computer, no matter

something unconventional, like door stretches, using a roller

your operating system, requires you to reach for your mouse

on the floor, or even hanging upside down, no one is there

and scroll and click through a number of menus. This is not

to judge you.

always comfortable, so it’s a good idea to optimize your most-used processes so you can do a lot less “mousing.”

Beyond physical benefits, changing things up and taking short breaks during the workday also helps you stay

First, think about what you do most often and see if there

mentally sharp. I certainly enjoy writing technical articles

are keyboard shortcuts already built into your system that

like this one, but it’s good to change gears and let your

can help you. You can find full lists online with hotkeys for

brain focus on another task that requires a different set of

both Windows and MacOS. You’ll also want to adjust your

physical or mental gyrations. Of course, it’s even better if

mouse sensitivity so moving your cursor from one point of

this activity drives you away from a screen, as you’ll also be

the screen to the other requires the least amount of motion,

able to let your eye muscles rest.

while keeping proper accuracy. Both Windows and MacOS

With intermittent breaks combined with a proper desk

allow you to tweak this setting to your convenience.

setup, working from home can have the benefits of a

From there, the sky is the limit. You can record macros to

“short” commute, without compromising your health due to

execute commands in sequence with one button, and if

poor ergonomics.

you’re really ambitious, you can get an auxiliary keypad with extra hotkeys or install software to tweak things you

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Regulatory Update: Cal/OSHA Extends and Changes COVID ETS 01.07.2022 | EHS Today by David Sparkman Employers in California are now subject to an extension to April 14 of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS), which also has been subject to a number of changes employers need to be aware of.

The original detailed and lengthy standards went into effect at the beginning of last year. Although the state’s ETS had been challenged in court by employer groups, they were later upheld. Similar COVID emergency standards were adopted by other states, like Virginia and Oregon, some of which were made permanent later.

The California standards possess significance that reaches far beyond the state’s borders because so many American businesses are either based there or have employees located in the state.

Attorneys urge affected employers to re-examine their workplace COVID-19 safety policies and revise their policies as required by the readopted ETS, to ensure compliance.

The facemask guidance remains mostly the same as in the original rule, but cloth face coverings must now pass the “light test.” To qualify as a face covering a cloth face covering may not let light pass through it when held up to a light source, note attorneys Sean Paisan and Sierra Vierra of the Jackson Lewis law firm. In addition, both vaccinated and unvaccinated employees now must wear face coverings during screening.

Employers must still exclude employees who test positive for COVID-19 until return-to-work requirements are met.

Also excluded are employees who had close contact with a positive individual unless they are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic. These employees can remain in the workplace, but they now must wear a face covering and practice social distancing for 14 days.

Previously employers were not required to provide testing to fully vaccinated, asymptomatic employees who came into close contact with someone who tested positive or had found themselves in an outbreak setting (defined as three or more employees testing positive during a 14-day period). The revised ETS removes this distinction between vaccinated and unvaccinated employees with respect to testing.

Paisan and Vierra point out that while those employees who have had close contact, but never developed COVID-19 symptoms, may return to work after 14 days since their last known close contact, the employee who had the close contact also is permitted to return early under the following scenarios: • 10 days after the close contact if the employee wears a face covering and maintains 6 feet of separation from others for 14 days.

• Seven days after the close contact if the person tested negative for COVID-19 using a test with the specimen taken at least five days after the last known close contact; and the person wears a face covering and maintains 6 feet of distance from others while at the workplace for 14 days following the last date of close contact.

The ETS readoption also removes the return-to-work exemptions for essential critical infrastructure workers during staffing shortages, Paisan and Vierra point out.

Under the June 2021 version of the ETS, employers were not required to provide COVID-19 testing to fully vaccinated, asymptomatic employees who came into close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual or in an outbreak setting. An outbreak under the ETS is defined as three or more employees testing positive for COVID-19 within an exposed group during a 14-day period.

This newest version of the ETS removes this distinction between vaccinated and unvaccinated employees with respect to testing, the lawyers said. Under the amended version of the ETS, employers must also make COVID-19 testing available at no cost, during paid time, to fully vaccinated, asymptomatic employees who have had close contact or during an outbreak.

The revised version of the ETS also clarifies that “worksite” does not include locations where the employee works alone (without exposure to other employees), the employee’s home or “alternative work location” chosen by the employee when working remotely.

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Millions at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes, But Early Detection Can Prevent Disease 01.20.2022 | EHS Today by Adrienne Selko CDC, AMA and Ad Council join to help prevent disease.

If you haven’t heard of the term prediabetes, you should.

In the U.S. some 88 million people — more than 1 in 3 — are living with prediabetes, and more than 84% don’t even know they have it.

Prediabetes can increase a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

But the good news is that prevention is possible. A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) release, in conjunction with the American Medical Associations and the Ad Council, point out that research has shown that once people are made aware of their condition, they are more likely to make the necessary long-term lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier, managing weight and being active, that can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

The groups are focusing on this particular condition, as Type 2 diabetes is a chronic health condition that poses a significant risk for complications to those who contract COVID-19. A recent study showed type 2 diabetes is one of the top comorbidities associated with COVID-19 severity and deaths.

So the groups have launched a campaign, “Change the Outcome.” As part of the campaign, they have a risk test called, “Do I Have Prediabetes?”

“Life sometimes grants us an opportunity to make small changes that can have profound effects on the trajectory of our health and our lives,” said Christopher Holliday, Ph.D., MPH, director of the Division of Diabetes Translation at the CDC, in a statement.

“Diabetes affects every part of the body and can lead to a cascade of negative health outcomes, significantly impacting a person’s quality of life. A prediabetes diagnosis sounds the alarm, letting people know that they need to change course and take the opportunity to prevent this devastating disease before it’s too late.”

Smart Confined Space Monitoring - Systems Innovate 01.05.2022 | OH&S by Binu Joy Severe temperatures, poor ventilation, toxic gasses

space by allowing skilled professionals to remotely observe

and extreme darkness – these are all common working

real-time video footage of work being conducted in the

conditions when operating in confined spaces. It’s

hazardous area. This ensures exponentially safer operations

understandable then that sound safety procedures

at a reduced cost.

and protocols are paramount to those hard-working

To deliver optimal safety performance and meet OSHA

professionals who count Confined Space Entry (CSE) among their everyday or even just occasional job responsibilities. By utilizing advanced monitoring technology, companies can see improved safety, increased productivity and reduced overall costs during confined space operations.

standards, a robust monitoring system should also include gas detection, 24/7 video coverage, access control, twoway communications and alarms. Most importantly, the entire system must be monitored by highly qualified, highly trained professionals.

The risks of working in and around confined space areas

GAS DETECTION

are well-known. Conventional practices require a safety

Most standard gas detection units are equipped with LEL,

attendant to be in close proximity to observe workers

O2, H2S and CO monitors, but a variety of other sensor

entering and performing work within the space. Despite

options are available for custom needs. Units are also

the presence of an attendant and well-documented

equipped with a strong sampling pump so that drawing

procedures, however, injury and even death can still occur.

samples from a hazardous atmosphere with the gas

A safer, more effective approach would be to monitor

detection unit can be simple and seamless. Ideally, the

the confined space from a centralized location to avoid

system should be wireless and flexible and include loud

putting additional workers near the hazardous area.

audible and visual alarms that can easily be seen or heard

During any CSE operation, a fully engineered monitoring

in any environment.

system equipped with innovative technology can optimize the level of safety supervision in and around the confined ...continued on next page 7

Gas detection units will transmit readings and alarms to any

supporting a project should understand the high demands

remote location, including an operating command center

of a successful operation and work to ensure a smooth

where personnel are monitoring the space.

completion – on time and on budget.

VIDEO MONITORING constant delivery of video content. High-definition cameras

WHEN OPERATIONS CALL FOR CSE, COMPANIES SHOULD CALL FOR A CONFINED SPACE MONITORING SYSTEM

are strategically placed to properly monitor both the interior

Employing a confined space monitoring system during

and exterior of the space and provide a visual sightline

an intricate CSE operation can provide facility managers

to areas where direct supervision is limited or obscured

peace of mind by increasing the safety and efficiency of

by the physical configuration of the plant. Moreover, the

the project and minimizing the risk of extended downtime.

camera function 24/7 to provide maximum visibility in any

When planning a CSE operation facility managers should

conditions, including dark, dusty environments.

look for a solution that has features and benefits similar to

One of the most integral operations of the system is the

ACCESS CONTROL An integrated badge system ensures controlled access into designated areas. Daily programming of the system tracks current permit status to prevent workers who do not have up-to-date access from entering a prohibited area – a visual and audible alarm alerts both the worker and the operator that access was not approved.

COMMUNICATION & ALARMS A push-to-talk two-way communication system should be positioned inside and outside of the confined space.

This adds an extra level of safety by allowing operators to maintain constant communication with workers at entry/ exit points. Industrial IP intercom technology with noise cancelling capability allows clear communication even in loud environments. Visual and audible alarms alert workers to imminent dangers and warn them to immediately leave a tank, vessel or other confined space.

PROFESSIONAL STAFFING Perhaps the most important aspect of a monitoring system

that below to ensure a safe and successful project.

• With a compact, mobile design and a stand-alone power source, the system has a minimal onsite footprint, and can be moved quickly and easily for a non-intrusive set up at each CSE location.

• The system also provides wireless communication back to a central command center.

• Integrated software allows incoming data from monitoring components to be recorded and provides operators a timestamped record of activity.

• The system can create reports that track worker locations and movement history, all while documenting gas readings and any audible or visual alarms activated during the project. If an incident occurs, this documentation can be used for accountability and future safety improvements.

• Most notable, Dräger provides highly trained operators and technicians to support its system to deliver a reliable, OSHA-compliant solution for confined space monitoring.

• Delivers integral cost savings by minimizing the number

is that it be operated by fully trained confined space

of safety officers and confined space entry attendants

safety experts with the ability and knowledge to respond

needed on a site.

quickly and efficiently to any situation. They can provide an extremely high level of supervision and support, making your business safer than ever before. In addition to the high level of skills and training, the team of individuals

Whatever confined space monitoring system a facility employs, a well-designed solution should provide peace of mind because it promises to make CSE operations run safer, smoother and smarter.

The Chill in the Air Means it is Time to Revisit Slip and Fall Safety Training 12.01.2021 | OH&S by Holly Mockus OSHA requires slip, trip and fall hazards to be quickly identified and addressed and for employers to conduct regular and periodic inspections and maintenance.

With so much attention placed lately on Covid-19 vaccines, testing and prevention measures, it is easy to slip and forget the other common threats that put employees in danger. Now, however, with the cooler temperatures and changing colors in some parts of the county, we have a brisk reminder of the importance of thinking beyond the pandemic and refreshing our training programs to teach employees how to avoid slips, trips and falls in the workplace.

In addition to the slippery and icy surfaces outside our doors, manufacturers should also pay attention to dangerous conditions inside their facilities and factor that into their employee safety training programs. Slip, trip and fall accidents remain among the most common sources of work injuries and can be highly expensive for employers from a loss of productivity, lawsuits and OSHA penalties.

According to the CDC, more than one million Americans sustain injuries from slip, trip and fall incidents. More than 17,000 people die as a result of those injuries. Slip, trip and fall injuries make up 15 percent of all job-related injuries, which account for between 12 to 15 percent of all workers’ compensation expenses.

Most falls land under two categories defined by the CDC: elevated and same level. While same-level falls are more common and cause injuries more frequently, elevated falls cause more severe injuries to fewer people. More than 60 percent of all elevated falls, according to the CDC, are from a height of less than 10 feet.

OSHA frequently inspects the causes behind work-related falls to avoid future slips and on greasy or wet surfaces. However, the most prevalent issue is the presence of unprotected sides and edges where someone can fall from an elevated level. OSHA rules require working surfaces to be kept clean, workroom floors dry, walking-working surfaces free of hazards and stairs to have three treads and four risers per flight.

OSHA also requires slip, trip and fall hazards to be quickly identified and addressed and for employers to conduct regular and periodic inspections and maintenance of all walking work surfaces in their workplace. Just as important, training is ...continued on next page 9

required to teach employees how to recognize the hazards of falling and the procedures to be followed to minimize these hazards, including the use of personal fall protection and proper ladder climbing. With that in mind, here are some of the more common areas and approaches to teach employees how to minimize slips, trips and falls.

IMPROVE GENERAL EMPLOYEE AWARENESS OF THEIR SURROUNDINGS Every employee is guilty of occasionally zoning out at work. Whether they are daydreaming or just not paying attention, that is when they lose sight of the inherent risks around them, especially when it comes to slips, trips and falls. For example, a worker might simply ignore wet surfaces, even with signs in place indicating floors have been freshly mopped. They may also not use the handrail or take multiple steps at a time when using the stairs.

TEACH THE PROPER USE OF FALL PREVENTION EQUIPMENT Employees should readily have access to fall prevention equipment like harnesses, safety lines and hard hats. The real trick is getting them to use it and use it properly. Identifying the proper use is not just about how to wear the equipment but also how to properly think ahead and use it in a way that ensures protection.

For example, when trying to elevate to a certain height, they should know how far the extension equipment will reach before starting their ascent. Once determined, do they know how to use that equipment properly? Are they trained, documented and approved to use that equipment? Also, are processes in place to regularly inspect that equipment prior to use?

CUT THE HORSEPLAY It is one thing to have fun at work, but it is entirely different when it puts employees at risk. You can eliminate this threat by enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against horseplay at work. That includes no running, skipping, pushing, playing ball or roughhousing at work. What is horseplay? You will know when you see it.

CREATE A SAFE WALK TO AND FROM THE PARKING LOT A lot can happen between where employees park their cars and enter the building. Whether it’s water, ice or snow, ensure you’ve properly cleared walkways, including sanding or de-icing walkways. And educate employees on where slippery surfaces can develop. Also, take time to inspect for uneven walkways or items that might trip employees. Provide proper lighting to identify risks and illuminate workers for drivers to see.

TEACH LADDER SAFETY OSHA has plenty to say about ladder safety. It is a common source for inspections and injuries if left unchecked. In addition to training employees to use ladders safely, you have to constantly inspect them for safety. Ladders can become slippery if left dirty or they can wear out and break if they are not inspected for integrity. There is also the issue of training employees on how to pick the right ladder for the job. So, as you make plans for the approaching winter, take time to refresh your training procedures and documentation to address slips, trips and falls. Just as we are encouraged to change the batteries to our home smoke detectors when daylight savings time changes, use the drop in temperatures as an at-work safety reminder to refresh training.

How to Overcome Safety Complacency in the Workplace 01.06.2022 | EHS Today by Sharon Lipinski Training supervisors and frontline employees to ask effective

the neurons during the activity fire. However, the brain is a

questions at strategic moments can help trigger critical

quick learner. The next time it repeats that action, it’s a little

thinking and situational awareness.

more familiar. Fewer neurons fire.

Successfully combatting complacency starts by

As this process is repeated, the action gets easier and

understanding that the root cause of complacency

easier and fewer and fewer neurons fire. When something

is how the brain handles repetitive behavior. In other

has been repeated often enough to become a habit,

words, complacency is a byproduct of habit. In casual

the PFC does not need to be involved, and it’s not all

conversation, people often talk about habit as a behavior.

the neurons during this activity. It’s just the ones at the

But that’s not quite right. A habit is a behavior that results

beginning and the end.

from a neural pathway.

Advances in neuroscience have revealed that habit results

REPETITION IS THE MOTHER OF HABIT

from the collaboration of two parts of the brain. The first

In a nutshell, repetition is the mother of habit. By repeating

is the prefrontal cortex (PFC) which sits above the eyes.

an action over and over, the brain carves a deep neural

It’s responsible for advanced executive functions such

pathway that requires very little work in order to operate.

as paying attention, predicting outcomes and prioritizing

In many ways this is a good thing, because the brain

information. The PFC is critical to activities such as planning

must process an unquantifiable amount of information.

a critical lift, having interactive job briefs or taking a site walk.

This includes everything from our own autonomic nervous

The second is the Striatum. The Striatum is about the size

systems (internal temperature, heart rate, eye blinking, and

of a walnut and sits on top of the brain stem. It’s the habit

more) to taking in external stimuli (colors, shapes, locations,

center, reward center and goal-motivated behavior center.

movement, and more) to just doing our jobs.

When the brain is doing something new, a communication

Unfortunately, the processing capacity of the brain is

loop fires up between these two parts in the brain, and all

limited. There is so much information to process that the ...continued on next page 11

brain needs to prioritize, and it uses shortcuts to accomplish

the PFC. While we’ve identified several different practices

as much as possible. There are many different types of

that can accomplish this task, one of our favorites is asking

shortcuts, but the one applicable to our topic here is habit.

good questions. A good question can only be answered by the PFC.

A habit is a neurological shortcut the brain can use when

Another reason asking questions is such a powerful strategy

engaged in a repetitive task. The range of repetitive tasks

is that it can be used to short circuit complacency in

is quite large. Not only does it include actions like brushing

ourselves and in others. Any individual can ask themselves

your teeth and wearing PPE, but also behaviors like asking

a question that will reengage their PFC, but also safety

for help, reacting calmly in stressful situations, and problem

professionals can use questions as they’re doing their audits

solving. Beyond behaviors, people have created habits to

or site walks. Plus, supervisors can ask questions as their

process emotions, thoughts, decisions, and actions.

teams are starting a job or in the middle of their work.

Habits are a double-edged sword. They provide human

GOOD TIMES TO ASK QUESTIONS

beings with the ability to learn rapidly and perform repetitive tasks with as little energy and effort as possible, freeing up those cognitive resources which can be used for other tasks. But there is a price exacted when habits are triggered: the PFC is often no longer actively involved in brain processing. When the PFC is not engaging, then we have lost an important safety resource.

Based on this understanding of the biological process of the human brain, we can offer a more accurate definition of complacency that opens the door to more effective strategies.

Complacency is a state of decreased external awareness and reduced sensitivity to hazards caused by the brain’s ability to activate neural pathways that require less PFC activity.

This definition reflects the current neurobiological assessment of what happens in the brain when habits are established, and it reveals that complacency is a physical state. It’s a byproduct of the part of the brain people can use by virtue of the fact they’ve done an activity so many times.

Now the solution becomes clear. The solution to complacency is to move the brain activity and reengage

There are at least four good times to be asking questions.

First, when a group is starting the day or a task together.

Second, when an individual is starting a task or switching to a different task. Third, when there is some type of pressure element such as time, visibility, or interpersonal conflict.

The human brain under pressure is much more likely to use existing neural pathways, so these are prime opportunities for a strategic pause to reengage the PFC. Fourth, when people are engaged in repetitive work.

Our research has identified at least five different types of questions that accomplish different goals: 1.

Planning

People will often naturally start here as they think about how to do a task. Pre-job planning checklists often include a number of planning questions that may not be formed as questions, but nevertheless serve the same purpose. For example, when a team member is filling out the tool section of the checklist, the implied question is, “What tools do we need? Do we need a grinder? Yes.” Check. “Do we need fall protection? No.”

2.

Perceiving

The purpose of these questions is to gather information using the senses. What do I see, hear, smell, and how does that compare to my past experiences and what the job aids tell me about potential hazards I might encounter?

Many of these questions can also be systemized into a prejob planning checklist.

3.

Predicting

These are questions that play the movie forward and imagine what the future looks like if things continue on this path. Or they might play the movie backward. If this is where we want to go, what are the steps that will take us there? What unexpected events could interfere with that?

4.

Perspective Changing

These ask people to put themselves in someone else’s shoes or look at the situation from a different angle. These are often closely related to predicting questions, because answering them often involves imagining what will happen as the movie plays forward from that point of view.

5.

Prioritizing

In any given situation, there is a lot of information. Your employees must sift through it very quickly to identify what’s most important and what applies to the situation versus what’s just noise and can be ignored. The more experience people have, the more intuitively they’ll be able to prioritize.

To accelerate learning, leaders and senior staff should be explicit about what they’re seeing and why they’re paying attention to specific items.

You can think of these categories as forming a circle.

Typically, employees start with planning questions. Then they ask perceiving questions to gather more information.

Then they play the movie forward to predict what could potentially happen and then look at the situation from a different point of view. With that additional information, they then prioritize to get clear on what’s most important and what needs to happen first. Finally, they return to planning questions to incorporate the insights they’ve gained.

Proceeding through these different categories of questions should occur regularly but may not happen in order.

For example, after the initial planning phase, perceiving questions may reveal hazards or a problem with equipment that requires them to return immediately to the planning phase.

Training supervisors and frontline employees to ask effective questions at strategic moments can reengage the PFC which triggers critical thinking and situational awareness. It’s a powerful strategy to combat the ever-present hazard of complacency.

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