Ian Collins and David Wollage - Safety Coach

Key Points

• The safety industry is shifting from compliance-driven models to human-centered approaches, recognizing the need to prioritize people within safety systems.
• Safety coaching is defined as a facilitative process that helps individuals and organizations achieve safety goals through active listening, strategic questioning, and evidence-based interventions, distinct from traditional training.
• A foundational safety coaching workshop is being launched in Perth in May, aimed at equipping safety professionals and leaders with skills to implement sustainable, human-focused safety practices within their organizations.

Summary

The transcription features a podcast discussion with Ian Collins and David Willett, who are experts in workplace safety and coaching. They explain that the safety industry is undergoing a significant transformation, moving away from rigid, compliance-based models toward more human-centric methodologies, often referred to as "new view" safety or Human and Organizational Performance (HOP). This shift acknowledges that safety systems must account for human factors and social hazards, rather than relying solely on rules and checklists.

A key focus of the conversation is defining safety coaching. Unlike training, which involves teaching specific skills or knowledge, coaching is a facilitative process aimed at helping individuals or organizations reach their potential. It involves active listening, creating a non-judgmental space, asking strategic questions to uncover blind spots, and using evidence-based psychological interventions. The goal is to empower people to develop sustainable safety practices that align with organizational objectives.

Collins and Willett are launching a two-day Safety Coaching Foundational Workshop in Perth in May. This workshop is designed to address a gap in the market by providing clear definitions and practical skills for safety coaching. It targets safety professionals, organizational leaders, and anyone interested in embedding human-centered safety approaches. The workshop aims to equip participants with coaching techniques that can be applied to foster cultural change, with long-term visions of training internal coaches within organizations to ensure sustainability. The initiative starts in Perth but anticipates expansion nationally and internationally based on demand.