New “What Went Wrong” Video

Have you seen the latest What Went Wrong video?

This series explores the most famous safety incidents to help us learn from the past. We upload a new entry to YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook every month.

The Piper Alpha Disaster

Was Piper Alpha as simple as missing paperwork? Not quite.

Operations and maintenance did not sign off on scheduled maintenance together, as mandated by company policy. The unfollowed protocol was certainly a key causal factor, but the root causes lie deeper than one SPAC violation.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire was disaster waiting for a catalyst.

When a fire emerged at the facility, every emergency response failed. The fire escape collapsed, the doors were inoperable, and the firefighters were completely helpless to save anyone.

How could so many different safety systems fail?

The Monongah Mine Explosion

The worst mining incident in American history was a complex consequence of several failed practices: dishonest reporting, faulty equipment, overworked employees, and much more.

Watch to review why redundancy is so critical in safety.

The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Also known as “the most preventable emergency” and the “BP Oil Spill”, the environmental disaster started with skimping, but dragged on due to blame.

Let’s discuss the importance of conservative decision-making.

The Bhopal Disaster

The gas leak that injured 50,000 residents of Bhopal, India wasn’t as simple as sabotage. It was a consequence of failed safety practices, detached leadership, and inadequate safety education.

How could we avoided such a tragedy?

The Challenger Explosion

NASA’s failed launch of the shuttle was a devastating moment for millions of Americans.

And there’s more to this story than the faulty O-ring. Learn how strict deadlines can impact safety culture.

Boston’s Great Molasses Flood

Many know the tragedy of the Great Molasses Flood of 1919: a 50ft tank of molasses bursted open and wreaked havoc onto the residents of Boston.

But did you know this was entirely preventable?

The Ford Pinto’s Release to the Public

Ford’s motto,“safety doesn’t sell”, created a work culture that values profits over welfare.

Watch the video to learn why the car was nicknamed “Lee’s Car” and “The Barbecue that Seats Four”.

The Alexander L. Kielland Capsize

Due to a lack of structural integrity and emergency planning, the Alexander L. Kielland capsize was the worst disaster in Norwegian waters since World War II.

Michael Jackson’s Burn Injuries

Many of us know Michael Jackson’s hair caught on fire while filming a Pepsi commercial, but not everyone knows how avoidable this incident was. There were no safeguards and no emergency protocol.

What We Can Learn From What Went Wrong

This series exists so we can learn from the mistakes of the past. Disasters don’t just happen from individuals messing up; they happen when teams fail to put preventative safeguards in place.

If you’re interested in strengthening your work systems, let’s chat for a free, one-hour executive briefing.