Episode 157 - The Neuroscience of Safety: Building a Second Line of Defense with Cristian Sylvestre

Episode 157 - The Neuroscience of Safety: Building a Second Line of Defense with Cristian Sylvestre

June 25, 2026 · 40 min · Season 7 · Episode 157

About this episode

Cristian Sylvestre discusses the neuroscience of safety and strategies for building safer workplaces.

This week on The Safety Guru, we welcome back returning guest Cristian Sylvestre as he takes a deeper dive into the neuroscience of safety and shares how applying neuroscience insights to daily operations can help build safer, more mindful workplaces. He introduces the concept of the second line of defense and explains why building attentive habits and learning to better manage subconscious brain modes are essential for preventing incidents. Drawing on cutting-edge research and real-world examples, he explains four powerful ways to reduce incidents: eliminating hazards, improving the effectiveness of controls, strengthening conscious control, and building subconscious skills and habits. He unpacks the dangers of complacency, drift, fatigue, multitasking, and production pressure, and how these hidden factors can quietly increase risk. Tune in for practical insights and evidence-based strategies to help organizations strengthen attention, improve risk awareness, and build attentive safety habits that enable individuals and teams to make better decisions, reduce risk, and keep workplaces safe. Join us for this thought-provoking discussion you won't want to miss! About the Guest…

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