PreAccident Investigation Podcast

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Pre-Accident Podcast hosted by Todd Conklin! In this engaging conversation, Todd shares his recent extensive travels across Europe and Asia, the exhaustion that follows, and the reflections it brought. This episode takes a closer look at the intriguing debate of whether the methods used in workplace safety are merely manipulative or cleverly designed fo...

Join us on a captivating journey through the realms of safety innovation and discussion as Todd Conklin invites Corrie Pitzer back to the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast. Corrie, a pivotal thinker in the safety domain, shares the story behind the resurgence of "Safety on the Edge," an international series of conferences promoting new and collaborative safety strategies. The episode kicks off wi...

Hey Now

In this episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Safety Podcast, Todd Conklin reflects on the start of 2025 and the podcast's 11th year. He shares insights from a recent vacation and discusses the evolving priorities that come with age. Todd emphasizes the importance of valuing incremental improvement over the elusive goal of perfection, invoking a memorable Voltaire quote to set the tone for the...

In this episode, Todd Conklin delves into the unique challenges faced by those in the safety profession, where success often lies in preventing measurable incidents from occurring. Reflecting on his experiences in Colombia, he emphasizes the moral duty and imperative of ensuring workers have the environment and support they need to succeed amidst complexity and change. Conklin argues that although...

Join Todd Conklin in a thought-provoking discussion on the unexpected dynamics of podcasting and the complexities of gauging audience interest. Through candid reflections, Todd explores how unpredictability drives innovation, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in uncertain times. Discover the challenges of initiating change in high-risk environments and the role of sa...

Merry Christmas, again.

Join host Todd Conklin in this engaging episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast as he dives into a captivating conversation with Bionda van Roosendaal Stelling, the General Manager of Health, Safety, and Environment at HEEREMA. Recorded during an unexpected taxi ride, this episode takes us on a journey through the fascinating world of high-risk maritime operations. Explore the challenges...

In this episode, join Todd Conklin for a casual yet insightful chat on the importance of understanding and interpreting data in both personal and organizational contexts. Using a humorous anecdote about a data-collecting ring, Todd delves into how data can provide insights into our happiness and health, drawing parallels to the abundance of data collected in workplace safety and operations. Moreov...

Join Todd Conklin in this insightful episode of Pre-Accident Investigation, where he reflects on the moral duty and challenges faced in the safety industry. Discover the importance of allowing workers the ability to succeed in complex environments, even when achievements can't be measured.

Part Two of a continuing conversation from almost 10 years ago.  In this captivating episode of the Pre-Accident Podcast, host Todd Conklin welcomes the legendary Edgar Schein and his son Peter for a deep dive into the world of organizational culture and safety. This is part one of a two-part series that promises to challenge your thinking and spark new insights. Listeners are treated to an enligh...

In this episode, Todd Conklin shares a valuable piece of advice he received from his boss during challenging times. Despite facing criticism and negativity, Todd emphasizes the importance of perseverance and maintaining a positive attitude. He recounts the lesson his boss imparted, which has become a guiding principle for him: "Get caught trying to make it better." Todd reflects on how this mindse...

In this captivating episode of the Pre-Accident Podcast, host Todd Conklin welcomes the legendary Edgar Schein and his son Peter for a deep dive into the world of organizational culture and safety. This is part one of a two-part series that promises to challenge your thinking and spark new insights. Listeners are treated to an enlightening conversation with Edgar Schein, a revered figure in the fi...

Welcome to the Pre-Accident Investigation Safety Moment with Todd Conklin. In this engaging episode, we delve into the concept of "graceful extensibility," a crucial feature for enhancing the safety and reliability of operations. Inspired by insights from David Woods of Ohio State University, Todd explores how building margins into systems can mitigate the consequences of potential failures. Throu...

In this episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast, host Todd Conklin delves into a vital conversation about mental health and worker engagement within the construction industry. As the world navigates through increasingly stressful times, Todd emphasizes the importance of addressing mental well-being in the workplace. Joining Todd is Alan Palmer from JMJ, who shares insights on innovative...

In this episode of Pre-Accident Investigation Safety Moment, Todd Conklin delves into the intriguing concept of happiness as a pivotal element in facilitating organizational change. Despite the challenges and resistance that often accompany change, Todd argues that happiness should not be seen as oppositional but rather as an integral part of the process. Exploring the idea that happiness is a cho...

Welcome to an exciting episode of the Pre-Accident Podcast with Todd Conklin, where we dive into a thought-provoking conversation with the remarkable Eric Hollenagle. Known for his pioneering work on the Efficiency-Thoroughness Trade-Off (ETTO) principle and the Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM), Eric shares insights into the evolving landscape of safety and resilience. In this episode,...

In this episode of "Pre-Accident Investigation Safety Moment," Todd Conklin challenges the common pursuit of leading data, questioning its existence and value. He argues that the time spent trying to predict outcomes is time not spent on actively addressing and improving real-world issues. Through a thought-provoking discussion, Todd emphasizes the importance of engaging with people, identifying r...

Join Todd Conklin in this engaging episode of Pre-Accident Investigation as he reflects on an unexpected experience at a bluegrass festival that was interrupted by lightning. Through this anecdote, Todd explores the intriguing concepts of risk, chance, and control, delving into the differences between them and their implications in the world of safety. Discover how the inability to predict the fut...

In this episode of Pre-Accident Investigation Safety Moment, Todd Conklin introduces an ancient metaphor that highlights the significance of positivity in challenging times. This metaphor illustrates how even in complete darkness, a single point of light remains visible, signifying the impact of small improvements in a struggling organization. Conversely, when an organization is thriving, a minor...

Welcome to the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast, where we delve into the nuances of leadership and team dynamics. In this episode, host Todd Conklin engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Mark Homeyer, a seasoned professional from the maritime industry. Mark shares his insights from years of experience as a vessel master and leader, focusing on building dependable systems and understan...

Welcome to the Pre-Accident Investigation Safety Moment with Todd Conklin. This episode delves into the significance of starting a job effectively and how it can impact the overall outcome. Contrary to the common belief that planning cannot foresee unexpected events, Todd emphasizes the importance of preparation and understanding the controls at the beginning of a task. Discover the value of revit...

Join Todd Conklin in this episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast as he reflects on last week's enlightening discussion with Doug, the OSHA administrator, about the evolving landscape of occupational safety and health in the United States. Todd shares his insights on the positive feedback received and emphasizes the importance of being open to change and dialogue. The episode delves into...

In this episode of Pre-Accident Investigation, Todd Conklin shares an insightful safety moment, encouraging listeners to shift their focus from opposing disliked ideas to championing the concepts they truly believe in. Drawing inspiration from Stephen Covey's concept of "sharpening the saw," Todd emphasizes the importance of February as a time to reflect on and enhance operational excellence. Thro...

Join host Todd Conklin on this special episode of the Pre-Accident Investigation Podcast as he sits down with Douglas L. Parker, the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. Dive into an enlightening discussion about the evolving landscape of workplace safety, the role of OSHA, and the balance between enforcement and innovation. In this in-depth conversation, Parker shares...