Some thoughts by Dave Whitefield on what moving towards risk and safety maturity looks like, and why I think embracing risk (as opposed to just managing it, or worse, rejecting it) is an essential step along the way. (Video length-18:53) See also: Embracing Risk, Forward to the book “Real … [Read more...] about Embracing Risk–Video
Safety is about…
Why the way we talk about safety in an organisation matters. Does getting home at the end of the work day mean that we were safe that day? Here's my 7 ½ minutes on why the way we talk about safety at work matters so much. … [Read more...] about Safety is about…
Safety and Compliance
Safety and compliance are not the same thing, but are often thought of that way on the front line. Safety and Compliance from Dave Whitefield on Vimeo. … [Read more...] about Safety and Compliance
Are the Cracks in Orthodox Safety Becoming Chasms?
Are the Cracks in Orthodox Safety Becoming Chasms? My Worldview As with all the things I write and talk about, this comes through my own worldview, which is a social psychological one. I believe that we are fundamentally connected and social creatures, and almost everything depends on … [Read more...] about Are the Cracks in Orthodox Safety Becoming Chasms?
I’m Concerned That We Can’t See The Safety Forest For The Safety Trees
Acknowledgement- This article draws heavily on the concepts of Dr Rob Long, and particularly his work on safety needing to take a transdisciplinary approach. A great article on this can be viewed here. I don't think it's a stretch to suggest that within our industry there are a few … [Read more...] about I’m Concerned That We Can’t See The Safety Forest For The Safety Trees
Building Cultural Maturity in Safety and Risk
Building Cultural Maturity in Safety and Risk Introduction – The Culture Paradox Culture represents a paradox for many organisations. While most people can readily comment on it (it’s good/bad, supportive/toxic, weak/strong), few can meaningfully define it. Common attempts tend to be vague and … [Read more...] about Building Cultural Maturity in Safety and Risk
Dumber Ways To Promote Safety
Dumber Ways To Promote Safety Metro Los Angeles have just released a collection of short videos aimed at improving safety around their rail network. They are being likened to the Victorian Metro’s “Dumb Ways to Die” campaign in the way they are using a combination of comedy and severity to get … [Read more...] about Dumber Ways To Promote Safety
What If I Valued People And Not Safety?
What If I Valued People And Not Safety? When organisations say that their number one priority is safety, it can have some unexpected outcomes. Setting, and stating, organisational priorities and values is a wicked problem to begin with. Nothing is neutral and everything has meaning, so when … [Read more...] about What If I Valued People And Not Safety?
So I was thinking about learning and risk the other day…
So I was thinking about learning and risk the other day… It may be that the traditional language of risk elimination leads to a discourse that eliminates learning... For me learning and risk are inextricably intertwined. I can’t learn a new skill without also risking making a mistake? I can't … [Read more...] about So I was thinking about learning and risk the other day…
Stop, this is an intervention!
Welcome to our latest Awesome Author, Dave Whitefield, from People and Risk. I first came across Dave’s work 3 years ago when he wrote Zero Harm – Just Say No!. It’s a real thrill to now have him writing on this blog, as well as getting to know him personally as a fellow member of the Brisbane … [Read more...] about Stop, this is an intervention!
