The Mechanistic Worldview and the Dehumanization of Safety By Dr Rob Long There should be no great surprise to anyone regarding the number of trade offs we have made by accepting the mechanistic worldview of safety. The narrative in safety over recent history has shifted away from humanizing … [Read more...] about The Dehumanization of Safety
ALARP
Confirmity in Conformity
Confirmity in Conformity Safety is the industry of conformity. This is despite the fact that many of the things people believe they must conform with are mythical. In the very brief history of safety we now have the situation where the dominant Safety worldview is mechanistic, focused on - safety … [Read more...] about Confirmity in Conformity
Accidents Happen Because You Don’t Put Safety First
Accidents Happen Because You Don’t Put Safety First This is the language and logic of Worksafe Victoria (http://worksafenews.com.au/news/item/571-farmers-urged-to-put-safety-first-as-fatalities-soar.html). Apparently farmers put safety last or second and that’s why farmers get injured. If only … [Read more...] about Accidents Happen Because You Don’t Put Safety First
ALARP is NOT Zero Tolerance, The Key to Psychosocial Health
Being sensitive to the language in risk and safety is so important when seeking to understand such things as ethical practice, legal compliance, Psychosocial Safety and risk assessment. As much as safety would like to maintain the delusion of objectivity, there is no objectivity when it comes to … [Read more...] about ALARP is NOT Zero Tolerance, The Key to Psychosocial Health
Risk Homeostasis Theory–Why Safety Initiatives Go Wrong
My favourite quote is in relation to racing drivers on normal roads and why they have more crashes and get more fines: “At their level of skill, driving like an average driver may be intolerably boring. Imagine being a master of Beethoven and all you are allowed to play is “Twinkle, twinkle, little … [Read more...] about Risk Homeostasis Theory–Why Safety Initiatives Go Wrong
Release the Safety Monster and Wreck a Good TV Show
There are calls by safety crusaders to have TV DIY Shows ensure they set a good safety example (compliance is the most commonly used word) – Dr Rob Long responds: Release the Safety Monster and Wreck a Good TV Show I'm not much of a fan of reality TV shows especially the home renovation type or … [Read more...] about Release the Safety Monster and Wreck a Good TV Show
Understanding The Social Psychology of Risk And Safety
Understanding The Social Psychology of Risk And Safety The article is a bit longer than usual and if you would prefer to download a copy for future reference then you can DOWNLOAD HERE: Understanding-the-Social-psychology-of-Risk-and-Safety.docx In response to a number of emails I have … [Read more...] about Understanding The Social Psychology of Risk And Safety
The Triarchic Mind, Risk and Safety
The Triarchic Mind, Risk and Safety So much of how we think about decision making is centred on the brain. The common misconception is that the brain is a mainframe computer that directs actions. This is how binary reductionist thinking operates. The human will is centred here in the brain, that … [Read more...] about The Triarchic Mind, Risk and Safety
Is Precaution a Virtue?
Safety is a balancing act (dialectic) between the Precautionary Principle and engaging in risk so far as is reasonably practicable (the ALARP Principle) (https://safetyrisk.net/when-safety-is-beyond-your-control/ ). Nowhere in the Legislation, Regulation or Standards is there any expectation of … [Read more...] about Is Precaution a Virtue?
Understanding Harm Minimization
Understanding Harm Minimization As much as Safety might wish it, the real world is not binary black and white. Sometimes the most caring thing to do in a fallible world with fallible people is simply keep harm to a minimum. Harm minimization is the course of action that puts care at the centre of … [Read more...] about Understanding Harm Minimization
