As the group prepares for the workshops on Weick and HROing, we seek to understand the philosophy of Prof. Karl E. Weick and how his perspective on risk works. Most of what Weick espouses is in direct contradiction with the HOP myths of ‘learning from normal work’ and ‘blame fixes nothing’. Indeed, … [Read more...] about Weick’s Expectations of the Unexpected
The Non-Revolution in Safety
The language used in safety and its non-events, evokes greater absurdity as the industry continues to struggle for relevance. Soon it will simply run out of words to explain what it does. I had to laugh when I read about traditional safety being on ‘the cutting edge’ and being ‘revolutionary’ and … [Read more...] about The Non-Revolution in Safety
Suspending Your Agenda to Begin Learning in Risk
In safety, many are familiar with Hudson’s expression ‘chronic unease’ or Weick’s ‘preoccupation with failure’ but in SPoR we prefer to use two expressions: ‘Entertain doubt’ and ‘suspend your agenda’ to convey a similar meaning. Of course, none of this aligns with the HOP con of ‘blame fixes … [Read more...] about Suspending Your Agenda to Begin Learning in Risk
The De-Ethicization of the Object in Safety
The De-Ethicization of the Object in Safety It’s obvious that objects attack people. When anything happens in an industry, the first response is to ban the object. That naughty object jumped out from nowhere and attacked me. So, it’s because objects attack people that we need to register as many … [Read more...] about The De-Ethicization of the Object in Safety
Weick’s Organising as ‘Consensually Validated Grammar’
Registrations for the Weick and HROing workshops for June have now closed. Weick’s definition of organising evolved over the years. In 1969 is was: ‘the resolving of equivocality in an enacted environment by means of interlocked behaviors embedded in conditionally related processes’ Ten years … [Read more...] about Weick’s Organising as ‘Consensually Validated Grammar’
How to use signs, symbols and text effectively in communicating about risk
How to use signs, symbols and text effectively in communicating about risk The power of symbols and signs to communicate to the subconscious was first systematised by Goebells in 1937. The power and effect of these symbols and signs to create identity and belonging was captured systematically by … [Read more...] about How to use signs, symbols and text effectively in communicating about risk
Registrations for Free Weick Workshops in June Close Today
Registrations for the free workshops on Prof. Karl Weick and HROing close today. The workshops will focus primarily of Weick’s foundational philosophy outlined in his first book. We will also explore his later works and their implications for understanding and tackling risk. You can register … [Read more...] about Registrations for Free Weick Workshops in June Close Today
Why Your Safety System Can’t Save You
At the moment there is so much mythology being pushed by Safety on the preference of systems as some kind of solution for blame. Part of the mythology is that ‘blame fixes nothing’ a nonsense slogan that only HOP could concoct. Here are a few questions to ponder: What is this thing called … [Read more...] about Why Your Safety System Can’t Save You
The Shape of Belief and Safety Values
One of the many things we will explore in our Philosophy and Risk workshops (https://safetyrisk.net/philosophy-for-risk-and-safety-free-workshops/) will be what people believe and why they believe it. We do this, not to cast judgement on belief but to understand belief, faith and worldviews. There … [Read more...] about The Shape of Belief and Safety Values
If You Know, You Know (IYKYK)
Great thanks Matt, you have shown me a photo of a sandwich. This is not a sandwich! Then it’s a Salad Roll? This is not a Salad Roll! Then what is it? Well, this is a Ham Salad Double-Cut Roll. And if you live in South Australia, this is considered normal. This is part of our Culture. … [Read more...] about If You Know, You Know (IYKYK)