The Development of High-Reliability Organization

As a nurse I have worked for years in developing cultures of safety. Actually, the pioneering high reliable organizations started within the airline, nuclear power and railroad.  High reliability process provides cultures the tools needed to operate in complex systems for extended periods of time to be without serious accidents or catastrophic failures.  Overall, there is a persistent mindfulness within the organization.

As an example, the airlines had accidents with devastating outcomes.  When they reviewed the cases many times the co-pilot had information that would have been helpful, but they had a culture that the Pilots were the “head” of the team and were not be questioned.  This culture was so strongly integrated it would not allow for questioning of the pilot even when needed!

Our little Romanian Catholic Diocese was selected as a pilot diocese by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to participate in a Highly- reliable Organization training alpha workshop to train chancery members in creating cultures of protection and healing for our children, youths and vulnerable adults. With Bishop John Michael Botean’s blessing, we received the training by members of the USCCB on January 10, 2018.

We learned that culture was defined by the shared attitudes and behaviors of members of an organization and that culture goes beyond policies and procedures.  It is about what people think and do especially when no one is looking.  There are five principles of a highly-reliable organization.

  1. Preoccupation with Failure is a culture’s willingness to identify and address all warning signs of something that might go wrong.
  2. Reluctance to Simplify allows us to accept that we are in a complex system.
  3. Sensitive to Operations provide that we look at all individuals involved within the system to give feedback; not just the hierarchies.
  4. Commitment to Resilience affords that the culture responds effectively and quickly to any event or potential threat.
  5. Deference to Expertise make available that all the experts related to that situation are included – not just their leaders.

These are the principles that create a culture of a High Reliability Organization.  The USCCB plans to implement these principles within our church so we can better serve our children, youth and most vulnerable adults.

What can you do? 

  1. Pray and/or have a liturgy said for the safety of all children, youth and vulnerable adults and the victims
  2. Be informed and spread the word
  3. Recognize any inappropriate behavior towards children, youth and vulnerable adults
  4. Report any suspected or inappropriate behavior towards children, youth and vulnerable adults:

Call:  Diocese of Canton (330 493-9355) – Ann Fosnaught (Victim Assistance Coordinator)

or

Contact International Research Group where an Administrative Investigator will take your call.
The toll free number is 1 877 637 6600 or Email: internationalresearchgroup@csi.com

Resources: 

USCCB:  http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/index.cfm

Romanian Catholic Diocese:  Director of Child Protection Office, Julie Shocksnider, at julies@rcdcanton.org or phone:  330-493-9355