1st Edition
Human Factors and Safety Culture How Leaders Can Influence Behaviours for Good
Foreword
1. Introduction: Human Performance at the Heart of Prevention
2. The Brain: Perception, Attention and Memory
3. The Mind: Rationality, Attitudes and Motivation
4. The Group: Organisation, Culture and Leadership
5. Conclusion: Having To, Being Able, and Doing
Biography
Eduardo Blanco-Muñoz is an occupational health and safety practitioner, professor and author based in Paris, France. He has been working in HSE functions for a quarter of a century. His career started in the chemicals industry, as QHSE Officer, then Manager in several Seveso “upper threshold” sites, which evolved to a role in senior management positions in a series of large multinational groups in sectors as diverse and challenging as optics and medical devices, energy, aerospace, logistics and transportation, and construction and civil engineering. His scientific and technical training began in Spain, continued in the UK and was completed in France: he holds three Masters’ degrees in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering and Risk Management. He is a regular key speaker at conferences and corporate events and, after teaching behavioral safety and safety culture at Sorbonne Paris Nord University, he is an affiliated professor at the French Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers.
In Human Factors and Safety Culture: How Leaders Can Influence Behaviours for Good, Eduardo Blanco-Muñoz explores the core of what makes safety succeed or fail. Moving beyond rules and protocols, he emphasizes the human elements that drive behavior and how leaders can shape organizational culture to prioritize safety. This book bridges the gap between individual factors, such as perception and cognition, and broader organizational systems, offering leaders a roadmap to foster meaningful change.
Blanco-Muñoz presents a clear, actionable framework linking human factors to safety culture, challenging assumptions about behavior and delving into biases and emotional drivers that influence decision-making. With a practical “Toolbox” of strategies grounded in rigorous research, the book balances scientific depth with accessibility. It pushes leaders to rethink traditional safety practices and adopt a forward-thinking approach to embedding safety into organizational culture.
This insightful and practical resource is a wake-up call for leaders, organizations, and safety professionals. By addressing the complexities of human behavior and offering real-world solutions, Eduardo Blanco-Muñoz provides a fresh perspective on driving progress in today’s dynamic world. I highly recommend this book to anyone committed to fostering a culture of safety.
- Dr Andrew Sharman, Chief Executive and Chairman of IILSC, Founder & Chairman at One Percent Safer, Author, Professor, TEDx Speaker, SHP 25 Most Influential Figures in OSH and 53rd President of IOSH
