Safety And Risk Success

Christian Harris

Bring the benefits of proactive safety and risk management to life, through insights, experiences and stories. Every week, host Christian Harris - the UK's leading slips, trips and falls specialist - presents a new episode, typically with expert guests, to discuss: - Safety - Health - Wellbeing - Insurance - Risk management - Claims defensibility

  1. 2d ago

    Why Witness Memory Can Mislead Investigations | The Psychology Every Investigator Should Know

    Most incident investigations depend heavily on witness accounts, but what if human memory is far less reliable than we assume? In this episode, Christian Harris is joined by Elizabeth Hyde and Dr Samantha Masley, experts in witness memory, psychology and investigations, to explore the fascinating science behind how people remember events and why those memories can sometimes be misleading. Together, they discuss why memory is not a perfect recording of reality, how stress and trauma influence recall, why confident witnesses are not always the most accurate, and how investigators can unintentionally contaminate evidence through poor questioning techniques. The conversation also explores the growing attention courts are paying to witness reliability, the role of cognitive biases such as hindsight bias, and practical steps investigators can take to gather better evidence and improve the quality of their investigations. In this episode: Why memory is not like a video recording How stress affects memory formation and recall The dangers of witness contamination Why confidence does not equal accuracy Common mistakes investigators make when interviewing witnesses Open questioning and free recall techniques The impact of hindsight bias on investigations What courts are saying about witness evidence Practical ways to improve incident investigations Whether you're a health and safety professional, investigator, lawyer, manager, or anyone responsible for gathering evidence after an incident, this episode offers valuable insights into the psychology of memory and how it influences decision-making. Connect with the Guests Elizabeth Hyde: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-hyde-hesper/ Samantha Masley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-samantha-masley-62524564/  Hesper GRC: www.hespergrc.com Subscribe for more conversations on health, safety, risk and the human factors that shape workplace outcomes.

    51 min

  2. Jun 19

    Engaging the Sceptics: The Missing Piece in Mental Health & Wellbeing, With Nick Elston

    Mental health and wellbeing is something every Organisation talks about, yet many of the people who need support the most never ask for it. Why?   That question sits at the heart of my conversation with Nick Elston, who has spent more than a decade helping Organisations engage the people who are often the hardest to reach. Drawing on his own lived experience of obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety and burnout, Nick shares why awareness alone isn't enough, why storytelling creates genuine engagement, and how a simple conversation can make all the difference. We also explore the common mistakes people make when trying to help, how to support someone without feeling responsible for fixing them, and why sharing a little of our own human experience can open doors that policies and procedures never will.   Highlights Why people stay silent: Fear, conditioning and lack of anonymity. Lived experience: Builds trust and encourages genuine engagement. Better conversations: Support people without trying to fix them. Human connection: Small vulnerability creates deeper trust. Protect yourself first: Set clear boundaries before listening. Supporting sceptics: Focus on self development, not labels. Energy management: Helping others starts with looking after yourself. Follow up matters: A simple check in can mean everything.   Resources and actions: Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/ Connect with Nick on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickelston/    Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/

    51 min

  3. Jun 12

    Using Risk to Drive Better Business Decisions, With Graeme Fleming

    Risk management is often viewed as something that keeps Organisations out of trouble. But what if it could do far more than that? My guest, Graeme Fleming, argues that risk is one of the most powerful tools leaders have for making better decisions, achieving strategic objectives and creating competitive advantage. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in governance, risk and compliance, Graeme shares why risk should be firmly on every CEO's agenda, how Organisations can move beyond compliance-led thinking, and what separates high-performing risk functions from those that struggle to influence the business.   We also explore the importance of storytelling in risk communication, lessons leaders can learn from the Titanic disaster, and why AI presents both significant opportunities and governance challenges. Packed with practical insights and memorable analogies, this conversation offers plenty of food for thought for anyone involved in leadership, safety, risk, compliance or operational performance.   Highlights Risk and strategy: Why CEOs need both connected Competitive advantage: Using risk to outperform competitors Better decisions: Turning uncertainty into business insight Storytelling: Making risk relevant to leadership teams Leading indicators: Spotting problems before they escalate Risk controls: Why brakes help businesses move faster AI governance: Balancing innovation with responsible oversight Business performance: Aligning risk with organisational objectives Resources and actions: Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/ Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graeme-fleming/     Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/

    43 min

  4. Jun 5

    A Decade of Consequences: How Sentencing Guidelines Changed H&S Forever, With Chris Green

    Before you think "it won't happen here", consider this: a company was fined £10,000 for a serious machinery incident in early 2016. Just weeks later, a similar case resulted in a £1.6 million fine. Ten years after the sentencing guidelines transformed the health and safety legal landscape, the consequences are impossible to ignore. Fines are higher, accountability has sharpened, and Organisations are increasingly judged on exposure to risk rather than actual harm. I sat down with leading health and safety lawyer Chris Green to explore what has changed, where many businesses still get caught out, and why directors can no longer afford to view safety as something that sits solely with the safety team. Whether you're advising the board, managing risk on the ground, or trying to influence decision-makers, this conversation offers valuable insight into how the legal landscape continues to evolve. Highlights Why fines increased: Designed to reflect company size and turnover  Risk versus harm: Exposure alone can trigger prosecution  Very large Organisations: Courts can go beyond guideline thresholds  Governance matters: Directors must actively engage with safety  Paperwork isn't enough: Implementation is what courts examine  Aggravating factors: Repeated exposure and ignored warnings increase penalties  Small business challenge: Compliance burdens remain disproportionately difficult  Looking ahead: New legislation may increase corporate liability  Resources and actions: Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/  Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-green-70a899a/  Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/

    57 min

  5. May 29

    Why Human Error Is Not the Problem, With Jake Mazulewicz

    There's a dangerous assumption still deeply embedded in many workplaces that if people would just follow the rules, incidents wouldn't happen. But what if that thinking is actually making safety worse? My conversation with Jake Mazulewicz challenged a lot of conventional thinking around human error, procedures, investigations and safety leadership. Drawing on experience from firefighting, emergency medicine, military operations and human reliability, Jake shares a practical and refreshingly honest perspective on how people really make decisions under pressure, why experts don't simply follow procedures, and how resilient Organisations learn from mistakes rather than punish them. This was one of those discussions that makes you stop and rethink how safety is approached day to day. Plenty of practical insights throughout that leaders can apply immediately. Highlights from the conversation: Human error: Signals for learning, not failures to punish Safety rules: Why too many procedures can reduce reliability Decision making: The four layers experts use under pressure Resilience: Building systems that tolerate inevitable mistakes Investigations: Looking beyond who touched it last Psychological safety: Encouraging honest reporting and learning Near miss reporting: Making learning simple and non-punitive Work as done: Understanding how work really happens safely Resources and actions: Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/  Connect with Jake on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-mazulewicz/ Check on Jake Book (Seven Practical Steps: How to Build Reliability, Safety, and Trust in Technical Teams): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FPFQ65GX  Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/

    59 min

  6. May 22

    Safety In A Rapidly-Changing World, with Richard Bate (IOSH President)

    Safety is changing faster than many organisations can comfortably keep up with. But as technology evolves, workplace expectations shift, and new risks emerge, one question becomes impossible to ignore: is the safety profession evolving quickly enough to stay relevant and make a bigger impact? In this conversation, I sat down with Richard Bate, President of IOSH, for a frank and insightful discussion on leadership, continuous learning, AI, and why safety professionals must think broader than compliance. From adapting to generational change and digital transformation, to tackling some of the most overlooked risks in rural industries, Richard shares a deeply human perspective on what the future of safety should look like and why standing still is no longer an option.  Highlights Purpose-led safety: Moving beyond compliance towards wellbeing, dignity and wider business impact. Learn or risk irrelevance: Continuous learning is essential as safety roles rapidly evolve. AI and digital change: Technology should support better decisions, not replace human judgement. Reverse mentoring: Younger professionals can help reshape leadership, communication and thinking. Rural safety crisis: Farming remains one of the UK's highest-risk and overlooked sectors. Mental health pressures: Isolation, financial stress and suicide in farming need greater focus. Safety as influence: Professionals must improve leadership impact and speak the language of business. Stay connected: Follow Richard Bate on LinkedIn and support wider conversations on rural safety.  Resources and actions: Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/  Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-bate-iosh-president-chair-of-council-4b547118/  Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/

    1h 1m

  7. May 15

    From the First App Store to the Future of Digital Trust, with Jesse Tayler

    The internet was meant to make life easier. Instead, it's created a world where trust is constantly under pressure. That's why this conversation with Jesse Tayler stayed with me long after we finished recording. Jesse was there at the beginning of the digital revolution, creating the world's first digital app store long before platforms and online identities became part of everyday life. What followed was a fascinating exploration of digital trust, fraud, reputation, online safety, and why the future of risk management may depend on rethinking identity itself. From Steve Jobs stories to the unintended consequences of putting our lives online, this is one of those conversations that challenges how you see the modern internet.   Highlights The original vision behind the first digital app store: remove physical barriers to software access  Why identity could become the internet's final frontier: trust now underpins everything online  The hidden risk of digital IDs and verification systems: copied forever once exposed online  How fraudsters exploit onboarding systems today: stolen identities bought cheaply online  What iTunes taught the world about reducing fraud: convenience beats risky alternatives  Why trust and safety teams should rethink barriers: excessive friction harms genuine users  The powerful "safety rope" analogy for online identity: trusted anchors reduce exposure to fraud  Jesse's remarkable memories of Steve Jobs: seeing possibilities others dismissed completely   Resources and actions: Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/ Connect with Jesse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtayler/  Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/

    1h 2m

  8. May 7

    You Don't Have a Safety Problem, You Have a Thinking Problem

    What if the real risk in your workplace is not the process, the procedure, or the equipment… but the way people are thinking under pressure?   This conversation with Helen Taylor Brinson completely shifted the way I think about safety leadership. We explored what actually happens in the brain when people are stressed, overwhelmed, distracted, exhausted, or emotionally overloaded, and why that can fundamentally change behaviour, judgement, attention, and decision making.   One of the biggest takeaways for me was this: behaviour is communication. When someone is acting out of character, cutting corners, withdrawing, freezing, or reacting emotionally, there is usually something deeper going on beneath the surface.   We also talked about psychological safety, presenteeism, recovery, sleep, curiosity, and why creating space for people to think   A genuinely thought provoking conversation with practical ideas you can start applying immediately.   Highlights Stress response: Fight, flight, freeze affects decision making Presenteeism: Often a bigger risk than absenteeism Curiosity: Helps teams solve problems more effectively Behaviour: Often communication, not carelessness Breaks and recovery: Essential for focus and judgement Sleep quality: Directly impacts resilience and performance Psychological safety: Helps people think more clearly Reflection habits: Improve wellbeing and mental resilience Resources and actions: Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/ Connect with Helen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-taylor-brimson-b6222546/ BrainWorks Website: https://brainworkshypnotherapy.co.uk/ Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/

    49 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Bring the benefits of proactive safety and risk management to life, through insights, experiences and stories. Every week, host Christian Harris - the UK's leading slips, trips and falls specialist - presents a new episode, typically with expert guests, to discuss: - Safety - Health - Wellbeing - Insurance - Risk management - Claims defensibility

Information

  • Creator
    Christian Harris
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    277
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Christian Harris
  • Show Website
    Safety And Risk Success

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