I don't know about mining, but I do know that some pretty damn simple things make a hell of a difference. Hospital safety has been improved quite impressively (or disturbingly, depending on your perspective) by using a checklist prior to surgery. Questions identifying the surgical site feature on the list, and writing on the site too. Staff are asked if anyone has any concerns. It's amazing what a group of highly trained individuals can screw up without child-like safety systems being in place. http://www.npsa.nhs.uk/corporate/news/surgical-safety-checkl...

This stuff is really interesting but is a million miles away from child-like.

We've know for years washing your hands in hospitals saves lives.

And we've know for years people are not doing it. Even just putting up signs helps an amazing amount, but even this isn't done.

Cause it's a really hard problem.

How does one improve the issue? Some hospitals are trying cameras, ranking deaths in hospitals, rfid tags tracking people making sure they wash.

I'm willing to bet even though the checklist above is pretty close to proven most hospitals don't use it.

[edit] http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000087239639044462010457800...

Good point - its the problem that's simple and while the solution appears simple too, getting someone to cut into the correct side isn't easy.