The Foundations of Safety One of the introductory subjects for beginning teachers is the ‘Foundations of Education’, this is a study of the nature of people, learning development and maturation. When I observe beginner training in safety the ‘foundations of safety’ seem to be: regulations, systems … [Read more...] about The Foundations of Safety
It’s a Fine Line Beyond Pleasure and Pain
It's a Fine Line Beyond Pleasure and Pain Safety could be the profession of the open Socratic question, yet again we don't find much about this in safety texts or training programs. The 'dumbing down' of workplaces by the 'tell, police, punish' formula has now lead to workplace cultures and … [Read more...] about It’s a Fine Line Beyond Pleasure and Pain
Safety Doesn’t Need Military Language
Safety Doesn’t Need Military Language One of my favourite books on learning is by Donald N. Michael ‘Learning to Plan and Planning to Learn’. Michaels is one of the great education philosophers up there with the likes of Parker J. Palmer, Buber, Ellul, Claxton, Robinson, Maclaren, Illich and … [Read more...] about Safety Doesn’t Need Military Language
The Fallible Factor and What to Do About It
One of my favourites from the archives: The Fallible Factor and What to Do About It Being fallible doesn’t mean one is inevitably stupid, lazy, greedy or weak, there are as many advantages to being human and fallible as there are limitations. No one should want humans to be robotic - this would … [Read more...] about The Fallible Factor and What to Do About It
Is Complacency Evil?
Republished by request...... Is Complacency Evil? Lots of words are thrown around the safety sector with little definition. Everyone seems to know what everyone else is thinking and yet there is little clarification. The word ‘culture’ is perhaps the best example of an overused but under-defined … [Read more...] about Is Complacency Evil?
Absolute Shocker of the Week
Absolute Shocker of the Week Guest Post By Dr Rob Long – see more of his articles HERE Isn’t it amazing how people in the safety profession think it is wonderful to parade photo-shopped images of people being illogical, irrational and nonsensical? It primes the population with the idea that … [Read more...] about Absolute Shocker of the Week
You Spell the Devil L-T-I and God P-P-E
This story by Dr Long would seem totally ludicrous if it weren’t true! We hear these stories every day yet those with the most to gain and the ability to change it are the only ones in fear and denial. I wrote previously about The Safety Revolution or the “Tipping Point” coming but in the context of … [Read more...] about You Spell the Devil L-T-I and God P-P-E
A Conference with a Difference
A Conference with a Difference The Inaugural Psychology of Risk Conference was held in Sydney on 25,26 March 2015 and was a great success. People from New Zealand, Hong Kong and Australia came together at ACU in North Sydney to hear how the social psychology of risk can be applied at work. The … [Read more...] about A Conference with a Difference
Risk and Safety in The Clockwork Universe
Risk and Safety in The Clockwork Universe One of the many dilemmas for the risk and safety person is tackling the randomness and uncertainty of life. How can one propose a goal that requires perfect control in a universe that doesn’t operate like clockwork? The idea of the clockwork universe was … [Read more...] about Risk and Safety in The Clockwork Universe
If you truly believe in zero it will happen
If you truly believe in zero it will happen - Safety as Faith Healing Guest post by Dr Rob Long The logic of faith healing is quite simple: believe in something and if you truly believe and believe enough it will happen. If it doesn’t happen then you don’t believe enough - a wonderful get out … [Read more...] about If you truly believe in zero it will happen