Title: The Invisible SIF: What Hop Gets Wrong

Abstract: While Human and Organizational Performance promises a better path forward, many organizations struggle with unintended consequences: eroded accountability and invisible SIFs (Serious Injuries and Fatalities) slipping through the cracks. This keynote reveals the critical flaws that turn good intentions into dangerous gaps—and delivers battle-tested strategies to implement HOP effectively while keeping your people genuinely safe. Bill Sims offers actionable strategies to effectively implement HOP while maintaining accountability and enhancing workplace safety. Learn how to avoid the pitfalls of HOP implementation, identify the overlooked Invisible SIF risks, and balance progressive safety approaches with robust accountability systems. Safety professionals at all levels will gain practical insights into strengthening their programs, preventing serious incidents, and ensuring that HOP adoption actually improves rather than compromises safety outcomes in their organizations.

Register here: https://piedmont.assp.org/events/professional-development-conference-pdc/?

Is HOP creating a blind spot in your safety program? While Human and Organizational Performance promises a better path forward, many organizations struggle with unintended consequences: eroded accountability and invisible SIFs slipping through the cracks. Bill reveals the critical flaws that turn good intentions into dangerous gaps—and delivers battle-tested strategies to implement HOP effectively while keeping your people genuinely safe.

Attendees will learn to:
● Use positive reinforcement to get employees to follow safety procedures because they want to, not just because they have to
● Build real commitment to safety through recognition that goes beyond traditional rule enforcement
● Create cultures where employees actively watch out for each other and speak up about safety concerns
● Transform your safety program from checkbox compliance into something people genuinely care about

Session #: 5

Abstract: Most of us were taught that a hazard is “anything that can hurt you” – but what if that definition is quietly blinding your crews to the few things that can really kill them? This session introduces a simple STCKY (Stuff That Can Kill You) Energy Model that changes how people see risk in the field, and why our default “fast-thinking brain state” makes it so easy to miss the obvious. We’ll look at how a few critical questions, asked at the right moments, can shift teams into “safer slow thinking” and expose hidden fatality potential. Come ready to rethink JSAs, mid‑shift check‑ins, and what “presence of safety” actually looks like on a live job. Attendees will leave with practical conversation tools they can plug into existing processes without adding more bureaucracy.

Presentation: THE INVISIBLE SIF: What HOP Has Missed

Is HOP creating a blind spot in your safety program? While Human and Organizational Performance promises a better path forward, many organizations struggle with unintended consequences: eroded accountability and invisible SIFs slipping through the cracks. Bill reveals the critical flaws that turn good intentions into dangerous gaps—and delivers battle-tested strategies to implement HOP effectively while keeping your people genuinely safe.

Participants will be able to:
1. Identify five cultural patterns that hide SIF precursors in their organizations and
distinguish between healthy safety culture and dangerous complacency
2. Diagnose where well-intentioned initiatives (including HOP, BBS, and culture programs)
inadvertently create accountability gaps or normalize risks
3. Implement practical early-warning systems and intervention strategies that make
invisible SIF risks visible while maintaining trust and psychological safety