How one ‘performs’ is a subjective judgement enacted by those in power who rarely disclose their methodology. Indeed, any focus on ‘performance’ above a focus on personhood, usually hides vices of efficiency, production, economic cost, organising and orderliness. Toxic workplaces and cultures are … [Read more...] about The Subjectivity of Performance in Safety
Phenomenology: The Lifeworld and the Illusion of Objectivity in Safety
by Simon Renatus Phenomenology[i] introduces the concept of the Lifeworld, emphasising that all experiences—scientific, engineering or otherwise—are rooted in the subjective, pre-theoretical world we live in. While Safety claims to offer objective, detached assessments of risk, this notion of pure … [Read more...] about Phenomenology: The Lifeworld and the Illusion of Objectivity in Safety
Phenomenology: A Counter to Reductionism in Safety
by Simon Renatus Phenomenology[i] challenges the reductionist approach that dominates Safety. In high-risk work, the focus is often on simplifying complex human and environmental interactions into neatly packaged, linear processes. While this approach offers a clear model for management and … [Read more...] about Phenomenology: A Counter to Reductionism in Safety
Phenomenology: Beyond Subject-Object Thinking
Phenomenology[i] moves beyond the traditional subject-object dichotomy. While phenomenology often uses the term ‘objects’ to describe what we direct our attention toward, people are a special case. They are never merely objects like machines. People are subjects—a unique subset of … [Read more...] about Phenomenology: Beyond Subject-Object Thinking
Phenomenology: The Nature of Intentionality
by Simon Renatus In phenomenology[i], perception is not a passive observation of the world. It is an intentional act, always directed toward something beyond itself. The concept of intentionality—where consciousness is always about something—is fundamental to phenomenological thought. Rather … [Read more...] about Phenomenology: The Nature of Intentionality
Phenomenology: Appearance and Reality
by Simon Renatus Phenomenology[i] challenges traditional distinctions between appearance and reality by proposing that phenomena reveal reality directly. Rather than searching for a hidden truth behind appearances, phenomenology asserts that reality is embedded in how the world presents itself to … [Read more...] about Phenomenology: Appearance and Reality
Hey Safety, What’s Your Worldview?
Whenever Safety presents so called ‘ideas’, ‘slogans’, ‘models’ or ‘thought bubbles’ from so called ‘thought leaders’, make sure you seek out the hidden worldview. No text, model or discourse is neutral or objective. It comes from a worldview, a way of seeing the world. A worldview is also known … [Read more...] about Hey Safety, What’s Your Worldview?
Tier One Miners, Psychosocial Risk and Zero
We learn yet again through the work of Rio Tinto and BHP that the language of zero is toxic for psychosocial safety (https://michaelwest.com.au/mining-giants-sued-over-alleged-sexual-harassment/). And if there’s one kind of language and discourse tier one’s love so much, it’s zero. Zero … [Read more...] about Tier One Miners, Psychosocial Risk and Zero
More Nonsense from the EHS Insight – Zero Injury Cultures???
In the long tradition of speaking nonsense to people (https://safetyrisk.net/safety-experts-in-speaking-nonsense-to-people/) we have a recent publication by EHS Insight (https://www.ehsinsight.com/safety-maturity-assessment-and-model). Of course, one thing you can sure of, when safety says it has an … [Read more...] about More Nonsense from the EHS Insight – Zero Injury Cultures???
Safety is an Art
Safety has much more to do with Art, History and Philosophy than it has to do with Science, Engineering and Law. I recently wrote The Target Drives the Method about the subjectivity of determining ‘significance’ that is a precursor to this discussion. Despite the perception that so many in safety … [Read more...] about Safety is an Art