The Human Side of Safety - • Rethinking how we work, learn, and lead.

  Post #5 - A Deeper Dive into the 5 Core Principles of HOP Real Lessons from Marine Construction Earlier we discussed how leaders can support HOP in the field. In this post we’re zooming in on the core principles of Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) with some real-world examples . These principles aren’t just theory—they reflect how work really happens on the water and in the yard. 1. Error is Normal - Everyone makes mistakes—even the best crews. No matter how well-trained or experienced someone is, humans are fallible. Mistakes aren’t signs of incompetence—they’re signs that we’re human . The goal of HOP is to understand how systems can anticipate, catch, and recover from those mistakes before they lead to serious consequences. Marine Construction   Example: During a sheet pile driving operation from a spud barge, a seasoned crane operator slews slightly off-line, nearly striking mooring line. On review, we find that the sun’s glare had obscured visibil...

How Leaders Can Support Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) in the Field Building a Culture Where Learning Drives Safety and Success In high-risk industries like construction, safety isn’t just about compliance—it’s about culture. As leaders, we must move beyond reactive safety measures and instead create environments where learning is continuous, mistakes are opportunities for growth, and frontline workers are seen as experts in their own right. Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) gives us a framework to do just that. It’s not about fixing people—it’s about fixing systems. HOP recognizes that people make mistakes, and instead of punishing error, we seek to understand it. When leaders embrace this mindset, they unlock powerful tools to improve safety, quality, and morale. Here are five practical ways leaders can support HOP in the field by creating a learning culture: 1. Lead with Curiosity, Not Blame When something goes wrong—or even just different than plann...