Risk-Based Thinking
Society at large tends to misunderstand what safety is all about. It is not just the
absence of harm. When nothing bad happens over a period of time, how do you
know you are safe In reality, safety is what you and your people do moment
by moment, day by day to protect assets from harm and to control the hazards
inherent in your operations. This is the purpose of RISK-BASED THINKING, the key
element of the six building blocks of Human and Organizational Performance
(H&OP).
Generally, H&OP provides a risk-based approach to managing human
performance in operations. But, specifically, RISK-BASED THINKING enables
foresight and flexibility—even when surprised—to do what is necessary to
protect assets from harm but also to achieve mission success despite ongoing
stresses or shocks to the operation. Although you cannot prepare for every adverse
scenario, you can be ready for almost anything. When RISK-BASED THINKING is
integrated into the DNA of an organization’s way of doing business, people
will be ready for most unexpected situations. Eventually, safety becomes a core
value, not a priority to be negotiated with others depending on circumstances.
This book provides a coherent perspective on what executives and line
managers within operational environments need to focus on to efficiently and
effectively control, learn, and adapt.
Tony Muschara
is the Principal Consultant at Muschara Error Management
Consulting, LLC, specializing in human error risk management in high-hazard,
industrialized environments, and is a Certified Performance Technologist
(CPT), awarded by the International Society for Performance Improvement
(ISPI). Tony became a nuclear plant simulator instructor at Farley Nuclear
Plant (1983–1985) and then joined the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations
(1985–2007) where he authored several human performance guidelines for
the nuclear industry. Many of his documents were adopted by the U.S. DOE
and the World Association of Nuclear Operators. Tony received a BS degree
in general (mechanical) engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, served in
the U.S. Submarine Service (1975–1982), Qualified in Submarines, qualified as
Engineer of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Systems, and retired as Captain, USNR.
Tony also received an MBA from Kennesaw State University, USA.
“This book provides sound principles for managing hazardous operations that
would otherwise take years to understand through trial and error. The real-
world application of Muschara’s material has produced immediate results.”
—Lee Reynolds, SI Group, Inc.
“The ‘Must-Read’ book on reducing risks from human error; Tony’ s passion is
for people who do hazardous work, keeping them safe, helping them succeed.
Tony is one of the best, an exemplar practitioner of resilient, reliable operations.”
—W.E. Carnes, U.S. Department of Energy (retired),
former Senior Advisor for Human Performance & High Reliability
“Tony’s book brings together much of the new thinking about Human Error and
Safety in a practical guide to those who manage any organization, whether it be
safety-critical or simply an economic enterprise. Very helpful and easy to follow.”
—John Wreathall, Independent consultant in organizational safety for
nuclear power, health care and transportation
“Tony Muschara begins to build a much-needed bridge from a traditional view
of human performance to the ‘new view’, moving toward increasing resilience
and reliability with an understanding that work is variable thus adaptability is
key to success.”
—Elizabeth Lay, founder and principal,
Applied Resilience, LLC, Houston, Texas
Risk-Based Thinking
Managing the Uncertainty of
Human Error in Operations
Tony Muschara。