At a time when our knowledge and understanding of health and safety at work is at its highest, statistics show that ongoing improvements in accident rates and time taken off work due to injury and ill-health are stagnating. Alongside the fact that around 80% of accidents can be attributed to human error, there is also increasing concern that modern-world issues of mental and physical wellbeing are undermining recent gains made ensuring the safety of people at work.

By applying the principles of marginal gain and using lessons drawn from the high-risk world of outdoor adventure and high level sport, this book provides a variety of practical solutions and seeks to reduce the incidence of human error in the workplace and the number of accidents and near-misses. The concept of Free Thinking Hazard Identification is introduced alongside the importance of managing changing circumstances and minimising the frequently underestimated risk to experienced workers. A range of practical recommendations are also made to help reduce time taken off work due to injury or ill-health, through managing fitness, diet and health and paying attention to mental wellbeing.

John White is responsible for Health and Safety Management of outdoor activities for 25 years at individual and large corporation level. Responsible for setting up organization-wide Health and Safety policy for a large conservation charity with over 500 volunteers undertaking practical conservation work. Qualified lecturer delivering training and events. Author with several titles to name and several as joint or contributing author.

Mr. White's background stems from a mix of conservation and outdoor activities. He has worked as a National Park Ranger in the Lake District, as Director of Conservation and Development for a leading conservation charity as a Mountain Guide and has run his own business providing events and activities for corporate groups.

He has also provided services to many large organizations including the Olympic Delivery Authority (ran relationship building events in the run up to London 2012), the Homes and Communities Agency and English Partnerships.

Human error contributes to at least 80% of workplace accidents and near-misses. By applying the principles of marginal gain and using lessons drawn from the high risk world of outdoor adventure, this book provides a variety of practical solutions that will reduce the incidence of human error in the workplace, reduce the number of accidents and near-misses, and reduce time taken off work due to injury or ill-health. Many organizations focus heavily on a systems and procedural approach. It is essential to explore other ways of managing the human dynamic more effectively. By using principles from high level sports and applying them to Health and Safety, this book offers those solutions.

Introduction - We're Only Human. Born to Make Mistakes. Black Box Thinking. Managing Experience and Inexperience. Risk Perception. Well-Being. The Outdoor Environment. Team and Relationship Building. Nutrition and Diet. Visualization. Free Thinking Hazard Identification. Avoiding and Managing Injuries.