One of the fascinating delusions of the safety industry is the myth of objectivity. There is none so, get used to it and work with it. This is why it’s important to educate people in critical thinking. Sorry to tell you, but every risk assessment design, form and checklist carries the bias of the … [Read more...] about There is No Objectivity, Deal With it!
Safety Differently
The Dynamics of Dehumanisation
The Dynamics of Dehumanisation It is a very sobering experience to stand in a gas chamber and reflect on what happened there. I recently stood in the facility of Mathausen-Gusen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauthausen-Gusen_concentration_camp), one of the largest concentration camps in the Third … [Read more...] about The Dynamics of Dehumanisation
Safety Holistically a Case for Change
Where you start in safety drives trajectories. Foundational beliefs and assumptions create directionality and a worldview that interprets reality. These foundations are a philosophy, ideology and methodology for what one normalizes as ‘safety work’. The foundational assumptions of ‘safety work’ are … [Read more...] about Safety Holistically a Case for Change
Safety How?
Latest from Greg Smith, author of Paper Safe: Hi everyone. Apologies that I have been so inactive on LinkedIn lately, but I have been busy trying to finalise my next book - Reasonably Practicable: cases and commentary, which is designed to help safety managers understand all the elements which go … [Read more...] about Safety How?
Letting Go of Safety, Differently
Letting Go of Safety, Differently Criticisms of the work of Robert Long and the Social Psychology of Risk (and “Safety Differently”), by people obviously frustrated with orthodox safety (Safety 1), include that it is: too “fluffy”; too academic; doesn't come with a step by step instruction … [Read more...] about Letting Go of Safety, Differently
Safety Differently–The Movie
Safety Differently–The Movie My perception of 'Safety Differently' is that it involves a systematic approach to humanising overly bureaucratic systems – I just cant see how it can be radically different whilst it’s still called 'safety' and all that that word conjures up in our minds? Calling in … [Read more...] about Safety Differently–The Movie
THE DERELICTION OF BEHAVIOR-BASED SAFETY
An interesting article by Sydney Dekker, first published here by SafetyDifferently THE ORIGINAL HEARTS AND MINDS CAMPAIGN, AND THE DERELICTION OF BEHAVIOR-BASED SAFETY In 1960, shortly after his election, President Kennedy asked Robert McNamara to become secretary of defense in his new cabinet. … [Read more...] about THE DERELICTION OF BEHAVIOR-BASED SAFETY
HSE Trip Down Memory Lane
HSE Trip Down Memory Lane by Ken R. Roberts – First published here The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 was described as "a bold and far-reaching piece of legislation" by HSE's first Director General, John Locke. It was the beginning of the 'punitive' era. In other words government started … [Read more...] about HSE Trip Down Memory Lane
Like a Rhizome Cowboy
Like a Rhizome Cowboy For those who know much about the philosophy of Gilles Deleuze they will know that a central part of his philosophy is the idea of a Rhizome. A rhizome is a tangled web of knotted stems (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhizome) hidden below the surface. The rhizome is the … [Read more...] about Like a Rhizome Cowboy
New Construction Safety Video Is A Pleasant Surprise
New Construction Safety Induction Video is a Very Pleasant Surprise Thanks to John Wettstein from safetystrategies.ca for sharing this. Whilst most Tier 1 organisations are stuck in a vicious circle of tradition, sunk cost, fear, control, over confidence, paperwork, numbers and creating the … [Read more...] about New Construction Safety Video Is A Pleasant Surprise
