From Hard Hats & Safety Boots to Brain Science: How understanding neuroscience & psychology is critical for safety

Why do Safety Professionals need to understand Neuroscience and Behavioural / Cognitive Psychology? 

To use the words of Simon Sinek, let's start with the Why. Why do safety professionals need to understand Neuroscience and Behavioural / Cognitive Psychology? 

In the ever-evolving landscape of workplace safety, staying ahead means embracing new perspectives and tools. While traditional safety programs have certainly advanced our understanding and management of physical risks, they often fall short when it comes to capturing the complexities of human behaviour, motivation, and decision-making. That's where neuroscience and psychology come in.

The Science of Safety 

Understanding the human brain isn't just an academic exercise; it's a game-changer for safety professionals. Why? Because our unconscious mind drives an astounding 90% of human behaviour, we can't ignore that. By diving into the neuroscience and psychology behind how we take in, process, retain and recall information, perceive risk, make decisions, and engage with our environments, you can unlock new avenues for engaging with your people, reducing incidents and fostering a culture of safety that resonates at a deep, neurological level and can genuinely shift mindsets and change behaviour.

The Power of Engagement 

Imagine a workplace where safety protocols are not just documented rules to follow but become an ingrained part of the company's DNA. A place where you don't have to 'talk' about safety to build a culture of physical and psychological safety, a human-centred, inclusive environment that enables everyone to bring their authentic selves to their work. Feel valued. Have a sense of belonging, Thrive and go home safe, well and fulfilled every day. By understanding the psychological factors that influence behaviour, you can develop inclusive, brain-friendly safety systems, programs, training, initiatives and communication that resonate more deeply, engage employees effectively, and foster a sense of collective responsibility.

Transformative Communication 

Learning how the brain processes information allows us to revolutionise how we train, communicate, and disseminate safety practices. The result? Safety initiatives that are not only more effective but also more sustainable in the long term.

Who Should Take This Course? 

If you're a safety professional, supervisor, leader, manager or just someone interested in improving physical and psychological safety in your workplace and committed to creating an environment where safety is not just a checklist but a way of life, this course is for you. Uncover the science behind the brain's role in safety and translate that knowledge into actionable human-centred safety® strategies that yield tangible and sustainable results.

Course Outline - Here is a snapshot of what we cover

This one-day interactive, informative, engaging workshop equips safety professionals (and those interested in improving workplace safety at their organisation) with a deep understanding of neuroscience and behavioural psychology principles. Learn how to leverage this knowledge to create more effective safety programs, improve engagement, and build a more inclusive, high-performing workplace.

 Objectives 

• Learn how the human brain works, including its limitations
• Gain an understanding of the neuroscience behind motivation, decision-making and behaviour
• Discover new, evidence-based strategies for engaging employees in safety practices
• Develop skills for fostering a culture of both psychological and physical safety
• Learn how to communicate and train in a manner that aligns with how the brain functions

Module 1: The Science of the Brain 

• Introduction to Neuroscience & how the human brain works
• Cognitive & Behavioural Psychology 101
• Brain's Role in Motivation, Risk Perception and Decision-making

 Module 2: The Unconscious Mind and Safety 

• The Conscious vs. Unconscious Mind
• How the Unconscious Drives Behaviour
• The power of habits and strategies for creating 'safer' habits
• Strategies for Minimising Unconscious Bias 

 Module 3: Leading Safety with the Brain in Mind

• Developing Brain-friendly, inclusive Safety Systems, Programs and Practices
• Applying Neuroscience to Reduce "Human Error"
• Leveraging Cognitive Diversity in Safety Measures

 Module 4: Emotional Intelligence and Trust 

• The Neuroscience Behind Emotional Intelligence
• Building Trust and Psychological Safety in Teams to enable and empower people to speak up without fear of humiliation or retribution

 Module 5: Effective Communication and Training 

• Brain-friendly Learning Methods
• Neuroscience of Communication, Persuasion and Influence
• Crafting Effective Inclusive Safety Messages

 Module 6: Hands-On Activities and Group Work 

• Evaluating Your Current Safety Programs
• Developing a Brain-based Safety Initiative (Group Exercise)

 Module 7: Action Plan and Next Steps 

• Crafting a Neuroscience-based Safety Plan
• Monitoring and Metrics
• Strategies for Continuous Improvement

 Who Should Attend 

• Safety professionals
• HR managers
• Team leaders /Supervisors
• Managers
• Business Owners
• Anyone interested in leveraging neuroscience and psychology for improved workplace safety

 Course Materials 

• Workbook
• Case Studies
• Resource List for Further Learning

Course Facilitator

This course is facilitated by our Founder & Chief Enabling Officer, Deanne Boules. Deanne started her working life as a police officer before joining Safe Work NSW as an Inspector in their OHS Division before moving into private industry in Senior-level safety roles and then starting Insync Workplace Solutions in 2012.  During her career, Deanne has attended numerous workplace incidents, serious injuries and fatalities, most if not all could have / should have been avoidable.  

Her experience and natural curiosity led her to start asking the question, why do people do what they do? and why do they make the decisions they make? That is where her fascination for understanding human behaviour began and led her to study psychology and neuroscience. This knowledge has led her to make significant changes in the way she works, the way she leads and the way she 'does' safety.  

"One of the best decisions I ever made in my career as a People, Safety, Leadership, and Culture professional was to study psychology. Not only did it help me understand human behaviour better, it enabled me to apply a more holistic, human-centred approach to what I do, and I have seen firsthand how understanding neuroscience and psychosocial principles can make a profound difference not just in safety but also in employee engagement and building high-performing teams and organisations, and now I love that I can share that knowledge with you and help you improve the physical and psychological safety in your workplace"

Course Delivery

Delivered in a brain-friendly way, this course blends presentations, interactive discussions, case studies, group exercises, and action planning for a comprehensive, inclusive learning experience.

This course offers fresh perspectives and actionable strategies for improving workplace safety by focusing on the positive additions that neuroscience and behavioural psychology can bring to safety practices.