Corrie Pitzer

Session Synopsis: Understanding HOP - What It Is, What It Isn’t, and Where It Fits in Construction Safety

In recent years, Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) has gained traction as a fresh approach to understanding safety and error in high-risk industries. But for many in construction, HOP remains a mix of promise and confusion - sometimes promoted as a silver bullet, sometimes criticized as undermining personal accountability. This session takes a balanced look at HOP: its core principles, its relevance to construction environments, and how it can complement rather than replace existing safety systems. We'll unpack what HOP really says about error, blame, learning, and leadership - and where the approach may go wrong when applied dogmatically or without context.

A practical discussion for seeking clarity, nuance, and honest dialogue about how to evolve safety without abandoning what works.

Biography

Corrie Pitzer is the CEO and founder of Safemap International, a company specializing in the psychology of risk, leadership and safety culture.

He has Bachelor’s and Honor’s degrees in Industrial Psychology, Honor’s degree in Business Management, an MBA, Graduate Diploma in Education and is a registered Psychometrist.

He speaks at national and international events, and consults internationally to many corporations, all with occupations in which people can be seriously injured or killed in their work.

He enjoys skydiving, race and rally car driving, motorbike cycling, was an underground miner and infantry platoon commander, so he knows more about risk than safety.