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

In Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) , one of the most powerful concepts we can use to improve safety and reliability is the idea of trigger points . A trigger point is a predefined condition, observation, or threshold that signals the need to stop, re-evaluate, or adjust an activity before continuing. Think of it as a built-in “pause button” that keeps small problems from turning into big incidents. Real-World Examples in Marine Construction Lift Operation on a Barge A crew is preparing to lift a section of pipe from a supply boat onto the barge deck with a crane. The lift plan has several trigger points written into it: • Wind speed above 25 knots — lifting stops until conditions improve. • Load taglines not manned — the lift pauses until crews are in position. • Unclear hand signals between the rigger and operator — the lift halts until communication                is reestablished.      During the job, the wi...

Human Organizational Performance – Identifying and Eliminating Error Traps The First Principle: People Make Mistakes One of the foundational principles of Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) is simple yet powerful: people make mistakes. This isn’t a sign of incompetence—it’s a fact of human nature. Even the most experienced operator can miss a step, misread a gauge, or make a judgment call that doesn’t pan out. Mistakes are predictable, and when we accept that they will happen, we can focus on designing systems and environments that make them less likely—or less harmful. What is an Error Trap? An error trap is any condition, situation, or design feature that increases the likelihood of human error. Think of them as hidden “tripwires” in a task, process, or work environment. Error traps can arise from:           Time Pressure – Deadlines that push crews to rush work.           Task Complexity – Steps that are overly com...