Free library
Discussion guide6 min

Behavioral Drift Discussion Guide

Help supervisors identify how shortcuts and workarounds become normal before they contribute to a serious event.

Start with curiosity

Drift often begins when teams adapt to pressure, uncertainty or impractical controls. The first task is to understand the adaptation, not assign blame.

Ask the crew

Use the work itself as the evidence base.

  • What part of this task is hardest to complete as written?
  • What changes when time, people or equipment are tight?
  • Which control is most likely to be bypassed or weakened?
  • What would make the safe method the easiest method?

Act visibly

Where the system creates the drift, correct the system. Tell the crew what will change, who owns it and when you will return with an answer.

Would an independent review help?

Use this guide as a starting point, then speak directly with Safety Centrics about your operation or project.

james@safetycentrics.ca