(158b) Keynote - Courageous Conversations and Vulnerabilities in the Work Place Around Process Safety

Creating a workplace where employees feel safe to voice process safety concerns is essential for preventing catastrophic incidents. This presentation examines the critical link between psychological safety and organizational reliability, demonstrating how fostering open conversations allows employees and leaders to collaboratively identify and address early warning signals before they escalate into serious events.

Many organizations struggle with a culture where fear of blame discourages employees from reporting near-misses, questioning unsafe practices, or challenging decisions. However, high-reliability organizations (HROs) recognize that openly discussing vulnerabilities is a strength—not a weakness. By cultivating courageous conversations, leaders can create an environment where employees at all levels actively engage in proactive safety discussions, driving stronger process safety outcomes.

This session will provide attendees with:

• A practical understanding of psychological safety’s role in process safety performance.
• The five core disciplines that transform organizations into high-reliability leaders.
• Actionable strategies for leaders to foster open discussions and empower employees to speak up.
• Case studies showcasing how psychological safety improves hazard identification, risk mitigation, and safety performance.