2025 Community of Human and Organizational Learning 31st Annual Conference

Checklist-style pre-job briefs are everywhere in high-risk industries, yet they are often seen as just another bureaucratic task—forms to complete rather than tools that enhance safety. Too often, these processes are reduced to "pencil-whipping" and thought of as a routine step to get through before real work can begin rather than a meaningful conversation about risk. When filled out by a single person, pre-job briefs limit engagement and stifle the critical thinking needed to manage dynamic and emerging risks.

This session presents a case study from the mining industry that reimagines task risk management—shifting from a compliance-driven approach to one that empowers workers. By expanding the focus to uncertainty, emerging risks, and real-time decision-making, we explore ways to restore dignity and respect to workers, enabling them to take an active role in shaping safer, more adaptive work environments.