Stronger Attention & Self-Regulation for High-Risk Professions: SafetyMind

Every company operating in hazardous environments aims to minimise accidents.

Making mistakes is however human. There is no such thing as 100% safety despite our best procedures. Many companies already provide employees with a wide range of technological tools to reduce errors, such as checklists, technical aids, or simulation training. What has often been neglected, however, are so-called Non-Technical Skills (NTS) – in particular the skill of attention. Just a fleeting thought about a quarrel at home in the morning can have serious consequences two hours later – such as missing a signal. Or the unconscious habit of checking one’s phone during a high-risk task can turn into a major danger.

Equally important are communication in moments of conflict or decision-making in hazardous situations. These are trainable and essential skills that not only enhance safety but also contribute to employee satisfaction.

The Goals of SafetyMind

Our programme supports employees working in hazardous environments to strengthen relevant Non-Technical Skills, enabling them to…

• notice where their attention is at any given moment and redirect it back to their work focus when distractions arise
• cultivate presence and awareness, allowing them to perform even routine tasks with conscious attention and oversight
• integrate and regulate negative emotional states so they can carry out their work with a healthy degree of positivity
• strengthen their resilience to respond clearly to challenging situations and recover more quickly from critical events
• foster a healthy balance between stress and recovery
• synchronise teamwork more effectively and provide fast feedback when risks become visible
• communicate in a clear and calm manner, even in conflict situations

Structure of the Training

• The training takes place over a period of 9–12 weeks and can be delivered either in a modular format or as two in-person training days for up to 12 participants. The content is tailored following an on-site observation in the specific hazardous work environment.
• Between sessions, there is a self-learning phase supported by our app, videos, and a workbook (The Compass):
  • 4–6 customised short learning videos with tasks (20 minutes each)
  • 2 web- or phone-based coaching sessions per participant (20 minutes each)
  • App with micro practices and exercises for everyday work
  • The app, workbook, and videos can be adapted to the client’s branding, including colours and logo.

Methods and Content

Modern learning takes many forms – from short learning units to long-term development programmes. Our offer and tailored approaches combine traditional teaching methods with modern approaches to measurability, skills training, and habit formation.

• Our app supports participants in practising the techniques learned during the course with guided exercises.
• During the self-learning phases, participants watch a variety of short learning videos for deeper understanding and work with the workbook.
• In the in-person modules, current events are also addressed, allowing participants to apply the learning directly to practice.
• The training is not a miracle pill – participants are expected to integrate and strengthen what they learn through their own ongoing practice.
• It is recommended to offer a two-hour refresher session once a year, which further enhances the lasting impact of the training.

*Since 2022, 1,000 train drivers have participated in 160 programme runs with S-Bahn Berlin, S-Bahn Munich, and nationwide regional rail services. All evaluations are statistically significant and based on rigorous pre- and post-assessments at the individual level using validated measurement scales.