Rebranding Safety with Michael Cournane – New View in Application

Overview

In this episode of Rebranding Safety, host James MacPherson welcomes back Michael Kornan. They had a deep and honest conversation about how safety is changing and how you can change with it. If you’ve ever thought, “There has to be a better way to do safety,” this article is for you.

You’ll learn how Michael and his team in Australia are moving away from tick-box safety. They embrace a more human, flexible approach that works. He talks about listening to workers, gathering better data, and focusing on what matters, not what’s written in a procedure.

This article breaks them down so that you can learn how to improve safety where you work.

Rebranding Safety with Michael Cournane – New View in Application

The Problem –  Safety Systems That Don’t Work Anymore

Michael works in high-risk energy transmission in Queensland. The problem? Their old safety systems were built when the company was slower and more predictable.  Nevertheless, with the fast rise of renewable energy and new projects, they’re moving fast, and the systems aren’t keeping up.

Too much paperwork. Too many audits that don’t reflect real work. Too many controls that no one can follow.

Does that sound familiar?

Instead of helping people work safely, the safety system was slowing them down. Worst of all, it wasn’t giving leaders the right information to make smart decisions.

The Shift – From Ticking Boxes to Asking Real Questions

Michael and his team realised something important. Most workers already know how to manage risk. The problem is that the system doesn’t support them.

They flipped the script.

Instead of starting with rules and checking compliance, they started asking:

• What’s actually happening on site?
• What’s getting in the way of safe work?
• What data do our leaders need to make good decisions?

Instead of pushing out more policies, they created ways to listen. This included:

• Learning Teams – open, honest conversations about what’s working and what’s not
• Work Insights – quick field tools that ask frontline workers what could be better
• Better Data – putting everything into one place so leaders can use it

What’s a Learning Team (and Why Should You Care)?

Learning teams are like team talks for safety, but better.

Instead of telling people what they did wrong, Michael brings people together to:

• Share their experiences
• Talk about problems
• Suggest better ways of working

These sessions often run for a full day. Even a quick 20-minute version can make a big difference. It’s not about blame. It’s about learning and improving.

Here’s the key. The leaders are involved. They sponsor the session, listen to the feedback, and follow up afterwards. That shows respect. That builds trust. That’s how change happens.

The Power of Good Data

Michael says, “Safety is about making good decisions. And for that, you need good data.”

They collect different kinds of data now, not mere incidents and injury numbers. They ask:

• What’s really going on?
• Where are the big risks?
• Which controls work, and which don’t?

And most importantly: How do we know?

That’s how they’re helping leaders make better choices, not guessing based on old reports.

Safety Clutter – The Stuff That Gets in the Way

One thing that came up again and again was safety clutter. This is all the paperwork, rules, and checks that look good on paper… but don’t help anyone do their job safely.

Michael explains that sometimes, safety systems become too focused on covering their backs instead of supporting the people doing the work.

So his team started asking:

• What’s the intent of this form, rule, or meeting?
• Is it helping people manage risk?
• Or is it only adding noise?

If it’s not adding value, it needs to go.

Key Quotes Made Simple

“People aren’t the problem. They’re the solution.”
→ Listen to them. Support them. Trust them.

“There is no silver bullet.”
→ No three-step process will fix everything. You’ve got to find what works for your workplace.

“Clutter kills clarity.”
→ If the system is too messy, it won’t help anyone.

“Good data equals good decisions.”
→ Start by gathering the right information from the people who know the job best.

Where Risk Fluent is Heading

Michael’s team isn’t talking about safety differently. They’re doing it.
Their goal is simple but powerful.

Support the people doing the work, and give leaders the truth so that they can act.

That means:

• Better conversations
• Smarter data
• Less clutter
• More trust

It’s not easy, but it works. It’s the kind of change that makes work safer and better.

Take This With You

If you only remember three things from this article, make it these:

1. Talk to your team. Listen. Ask what’s working and what’s not.
2. Focus on real risk. Not just ticking boxes.
3. Give your leaders better data. Help them make smart decisions.

Remember, safety isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters.

 Do You Want to Learn More?

If this has sparked some ideas, don’t stop here. Follow Risk Fluent and check out Rebranding Safety on YouTube or your favourite podcast app.

You’ll hear more real conversations from people doing safety differently.

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