PreAccident Investigation Podcast PAPod 551 - Cracking the Code: Embracing Uncertainty with Sam Olliges
Jun 21, 2025
Sam Olliges, a safety professional at Landmark Structures, dives into the world of water tower construction. He shares insights on the rising challenges of attracting skilled workers and the critical shift towards innovative safety approaches. Sam discusses the power of micro experimentation in creating seamless safety protocols. He also emphasizes the importance of leadership and team collaboration in fostering a safer workplace. Plus, he reflects on the intersection of personal stories and professional dilemmas, making for an engaging discussion on resilience and creativity.
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Start With Micro Experiments
- Use micro‑experimentation to introduce new safety ideas and gather evidence locally.
- Present small successes to leaders before scaling changes.
Errors Signal Design Flaws
- Sam reframes error as a common, boring occurrence and focuses on 'error traps' in design.
- He looks for simple design fixes that remove opportunities for predictable mistakes.
Design To Eliminate Ambiguity
- Fix design problems to remove ambiguity, like mislabeled controls or confusing arrows.
- Use human‑centered design (Don Norman style) to reduce error traps in equipment and tools.
