by Simon Renatus As clear, transparent communication is key for helping to prevent or reduce the risk of serious incidents occurring in the workplace, perhaps it is time that those involved in OHS put their ‘linguistic house’ in order. (Everley, 2010) Why a house? And whose house, exactly? What … [Read more...] about Safety’s Hidden Metaphors
The 12 Days Of Silly Christmas Safety
The 12 Days Of Silly Xmas Safety They don't call it the silly season for nothing. You can always rely on the National Safety Council to treat us all like ignorant fools with their version of what they think safety and life are all about! Let’s have a break from dumb olde safety and vision zero … [Read more...] about The 12 Days Of Silly Christmas Safety
Stop Talking About Safety
Stop Talking About Safety Rob Long wrote an article last year (The Sound of Safety), where he said: I think sometimes the word ‘safety’ get’s so abused and overstated that it becomes the ‘killjoy’ word. Unless of course you are a ‘zero harm advisor’ and you have totally killed off the word, … [Read more...] about Stop Talking About Safety
Semiotics and the Unconscious Messages We Send
Semiotics and the Unconscious Messages We Send I’ve just returned from another mind blowing few days with Dr Rob Long, Craig Ashhurst and a great group of cohorts, as part of my studies for the Graduate Certificate in the Psychology of Risk. This unit was: “Communicating and Consulting About … [Read more...] about Semiotics and the Unconscious Messages We Send
SEEK Investigations Online Workshop November
Dr Long is offering a five session Introduction to SEEK Investigations Methods from 29 October to 26 November. Sessions will be held every Wednesday at 6pm Canberra time. We have a nice size group already from across the globe but registrations close on Friday 17 October. It’s not too late to … [Read more...] about SEEK Investigations Online Workshop November
Speaking Out
I haven't published a post like this one for a while but I found Peter’s story very compelling. I had a few thoughts when reading this......... I agree that we all need to speak out but, perhaps more importantly, I think that we need to do more ASKING OUT (yes I know what you are thinking right now … [Read more...] about Speaking Out
Great Quote To Think About In The Context Of Safety At Work
Great Quote To Think About In The Context Of Safety At Work This is a famous quote by Sir Thomas More from his book “Utopia”, written in 1516. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utopia_(book). It was also quoted in the film “Ever After – A Cinderella Story” The quote struck a chord with me in … [Read more...] about Great Quote To Think About In The Context Of Safety At Work
The Essentialist Pleasure Of Safety
For some reason, every time we publish an article with the word “pleasure” in the title it gets many more hits than articles with “safety” in the title, so I wonder what happens when I use both words together? You might enjoy these ones from a while back: It’s a Fine Line Beyond Pleasure and … [Read more...] about The Essentialist Pleasure Of Safety
Expecting the Unexpected
Expecting the Unexpected Thanks to Craig Marriot, one of our NZ readers, for sending this article in. No its not a spud head safety inspection but a local community event gone wrong. Several hot air balloons came down in the nearby chemical plant! Now most organisations would not have considered … [Read more...] about Expecting the Unexpected
SPoR Conference Edinburgh 4-6 February 2026
Presenters are Dr Nippin Anand and Prof. Rob Long This is early notification of a unique opportunity to catch Rob Long and Nippin Anand together in action in Edinburgh, Scotland on 4-6 February 2026. The conference will be on the theme of Holistic Ergonomics and provides a rare chance for those … [Read more...] about SPoR Conference Edinburgh 4-6 February 2026