Health, Safety and Security Review Middle East

Caterpillar Safety Services' error-tolerant safety culture

Caterpillar Safety Services’ “MindShift for Leaders” programme comprises five 90-minute virtual sessions. (Image source: CSS)

Caterpillar Safety Services has introduced "MindShift for Leaders," a five-session training programme aimed at equipping leaders with the principles of human and organisational performance (HOP) to drive safer workplaces.

Designed as a virtual series, the sessions guide participants to rethink and adjust their approaches to leading and managing safety, encouraging a shift in mindset toward more resilient safety cultures.

"MindShift for Leaders" moves beyond traditional safety management methods, which often rely on policies and processes based on managerial assumptions rather than on the realities of how work is actually performed. The programme leverages HOP principles as a foundation to build error-tolerant systems, fostering open discussions around safety and supporting organisations in creating adaptive safety cultures that account for human variability and build resilience.

“Expecting perfection from workers is not realistic, and traditional methods of managing safety do not account for factors that can disrupt a system. A human and organisational performance mindset does not manage the incident itself but assists organisations with building more error-tolerant safety systems that allow people to stay safe, even when they make a mistake," said Zach Knoop, manager at Caterpillar Safety Services.

Five HOP principles

Human and Organisational Performance (HOP) promotes a mindset built on understanding human behaviour, communication, and responses in the workplace. Rather than following a strict process, it encourages organisations to create error-tolerant systems that drive learning and improvement without focusing on blame.

Caterpillar Safety Services’ “MindShift for Leaders” programme comprises five 90-minute virtual sessions, each centred around core HOP principles. The programme teaches that errors are inevitable and that protecting workers means designing systems that can withstand mistakes. Rather than assigning blame, the focus shifts to identifying and addressing organisational weaknesses that contribute to incidents. HOP also highlights that behaviours are driven by context; understanding the environment in which actions occur can reveal the real drivers behind decisions. Leaders are encouraged to create a culture of learning by valuing insights from workers who are closest to the job, promoting a flow of ideas that can prevent incidents and improve practices. Finally, the way leaders respond to mistakes has a profound impact on team morale, and the programme instills the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence in leadership.

“MindShift for Leaders” aligns with Caterpillar Safety Services' vision of a Resilient Safety Culture, underpinned by the principles of Mindset, System, Ownership, and Leadership, providing leaders with tools to foster safer, more resilient workplaces.

Health and safety at the heart of climate-resilient communities: insights from WETEX

An image of a sustainable city. (Image source: Canva)

At a recent seminar on climate-resilient solutions, Dr. Jacinta Dsilva, research director at SEE Institute, emphasised the importance of health and safety in building sustainable urban environments.

As communities face mounting environmental challenges, particularly in the UAE and the wider Middle East, urban planning must prioritise both physical and mental well-being to ensure resilience against climate threats.

Dr. Dsilva explained the pressing need to integrate health and wellness into urban design, stating, “Sustainable urban planning enhances both physical and mental well-being.” She pointed out that walkable spaces, green areas, and cyclable routes not only make cities more livable but also improve the overall health of residents by reducing stress and promoting physical activity. In today's fast-paced, tech-dominated world, these spaces foster vital social connections, which are crucial for mental health.

Reducing environmental risks

She also touched on the role of community engagement in promoting health and safety. “Social connectivity…really creates a lot of social well-being,” Dr. Dsilva noted, explaining that bringing people together through community events and shared spaces can reduce isolation, a growing issue in modern urban life. In a world where social media often replaces face-to-face interaction, urban planners must design spaces that encourage real human connections.

Addressing the environmental risks that directly impact community safety, Dr. Dsilva spoke about the importance of mitigating climate-related threats like flooding and extreme heat. Nature-based solutions such as wetlands can reduce flood risks by “up to 40%,” while initiatives like cool roofs and urban forests can lower urban temperatures by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius. These strategies not only make cities more resilient to climate change but also safeguard the health of vulnerable populations, particularly in extreme weather conditions.

Dr. Dsilva also emphasised the importance of waste management in ensuring a safe and healthy urban environment. She pointed out that “waste segregation and recycling programmes” can drastically reduce the waste sent to landfills, helping to prevent pollution and improve public health. By embracing circular economy principles, communities can reduce the environmental hazards that endanger both human and environmental health.

In closing, Dr. Dsilva urged urban planners and communities to take proactive steps in creating resilient, healthy spaces. “We need to focus on sustainable urban design,” she said, “and ensure that health and wellness are at the core of these efforts.” Her call to action was clear: as climate challenges intensify, prioritising health and safety is essential to building thriving, resilient communities.