• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Safety Risk .net

Humanising Safety and Embracing Real Risk

  • Home
    • About
      • Privacy Policy
      • Contact
  • FREE RESOURCES
    • FREE SAFETY eBOOKS
    • FREE DOWNLOADS
    • TOP 50
    • FREE RISK ASSESSMENT FORMS
    • Find a Safety Consultant
    • Free Safety Program Documents
    • Psychology Of Safety
    • Safety Ideas That Work
    • HEALTH and SAFETY MANUALS
    • FREE SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT RESOURCES
    • Whats New In Safety
    • FUN SAFETY STUFF
    • Health and Safety Training
    • SAFETY COURSES
    • Safety Training Needs Analysis and Matrix
    • Top 20 Safety Books
    • This Toaster Is Hot
    • Free Covid-19 Toolbox Talks
    • Download Page – Please Be Patient With Larger Files…….
    • SAFETY IMAGES, Photos, Unsafe Pictures and Funny Fails
    • How to Calculate TRIFR, LTIFR and Other Health and Safety Indicators
    • Download Safety Moments from Human Resources Secretariat
  • PSYCHOLOGY OF SAFETY & RISK
    • Safety Psychology Terminology
    • Some Basics on Social Psychology & Risk
    • Understanding The Social Psychology of Risk – Prof Karl E. Weick
    • The Psychology of Leadership in Risk
    • Conducting a Psychology and Culture Safety Walk
    • The Psychology of Conversion – 20 Tips to get Started
    • Understanding The Social Psychology of Risk And Safety
    • Psychology and safety
    • The Psychology of Safety
    • Hot Toaster
    • TALKING RISK VIDEOS
    • WHAT IS SAFETY
    • THE HOT TOASTER
    • THE ZERO HARM DEBATE
    • SEMIOTICS
    • LEADERSHIP
  • Covid-19
    • COVID-19 (Coronavirus, Omicron) Health and Safety Slogans and Quotes for the Workplace
    • Covid-19 Returning to Work Inductions, Transitioning, Safety Start Up and Re Entry Plans
    • Covid-19 Work from Home Safety Checklists and Risk Assessments
    • The Hierarchy of Control and Covid-19
    • Why Safety Loves Covid-19
    • Covid-19, Cricket and Lessons in Safety
    • The Covid-19 Lesson
    • Safety has this Covid-19 thing sorted
    • The Heart of Wisdom at Covid Time
    • How’s the Hot Desking Going Covid?
    • The Semiotics of COVID-19 and the Social Amplification of Risk
    • Working From Home Health and Safety Tips – Covid-19
    • Covid-19 and the Hierarchy of Control
  • Dr Rob Long Posts
    • Learning Styles Matter
    • There is no HIERARCHY of Controls
    • Scaffolding, Readiness and ZPD in Learning
    • What Can Safety Learn From Playschool?
    • Presentation Tips for Safety People
    • Dialogue Do’s and Don’ts
    • It’s Only a Symbol
    • Ten Cautions About Safety Checklists
    • Zero is Unethical
    • First Report on Zero Survey
    • There is No Objectivity, Deal With it!
  • Quotes & Slogans
    • Researchers Reveal the Top 10 Most Effective Safety Slogans Of All Time
    • When Slogans Don’t Work
    • 77 OF THE MOST CLASSIC, FAMOUS and INFAMOUS SAFETY QUOTES
    • 500 BEST and WORST WORKPLACE HEALTH and SAFETY SLOGANS 2021
    • 167 CATCHY and FUNNY SAFETY SLOGANS FOR THE WORKPLACE
    • COVID-19 (Coronavirus, Omicron) Health and Safety Slogans and Quotes for the Workplace
    • Safety Acronyms
    • You know Where You Can Stick Your Safety Slogans
    • Sayings, Slogans, Aphorisms and the Discourse of Simple
    • Spanish Safety Slogans – Consignas de seguridad
    • Safety Slogans List
    • Road Safety Slogans
    • How to write your own safety slogans
    • Why Are Safety Slogans Important
    • Safety Slogans Don’t Save Lives
    • 40 Free Safety Slogans For the Workplace
    • Safety Slogans for Work
You are here: Home / Robert Long / Can There be a Feminist Safety?

Can There be a Feminist Safety?

July 18, 2017 by Dr Rob Long Leave a Comment

Can There be a Feminist Safety?

imageYesterday the media ran hot with the advent of the first female star of Dr Who . The reports extracted every ounce of gender stereotyping possible in the name of journalism. What it highlighted was the continued misunderstanding in our society of feminism, gender and confusion about social politics. Feminism is not just about being female and masculinism is not about being male. Understanding gender itself and the polarization and politicisation of gender and two completely different things. Being male or female is very different from the nature of ideology.

Feminism shares a similar history and evolution to Social Psychology. If you look at the evolution of Social Psychology (Figure 1) you will see shared roots in the work of Gramsci, Semiotics, Post-Structuralism, Post-Modernism and Critical Theory. Whilst feminism is primarily about rights for women at its heart is a concern for equality in the face of domination and the masculinist quest for power. It is important not to confuse the notion of feminism or masculinism with gender. Men are not excluded from campaigning for equality and women’s rights.

Men are also harmed by a masculinist thirst for political power, control, exploitation, authoritarianism, treating people as objects and reductionism. Whilst the social construct of masculinity is seen by feminism as problematic because it associates males with aggression and competition, it is not helpful to confuse the ideology of domination with being male. This in itself reinforces patriarchal and unequal gender relations.

Feminism also shares common theoretical and philosophical disciplines with Social Psychology namely: Sociology, Psychology, Politics, Annales History, Anthropology, Philosophy, Semiotics, Cultural Theory, Discourse Analysis and Linguistics. It is only in a trans-disciplinary approach to risk that we best find ways to tackle Safety as a Wicked Problem (http://www.peterwagner.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Safety-A-Wicked-Problem2.pdf ). This is why the WHS curriculum needs reform through a trans disciplinary approach to safety (https://safetyrisk.net/isnt-it-time-we-reformed-the-whs-curriculum/).

In the late twentieth century various feminists began arguing that gender roles are socially constructed. Post-structural feminism argues that gender roles are essentially created through cultural discourse (semiosis, language, symbols and signs). When we observe the nature of masculinist framing we see a prioritization on reductionism , privileged status given to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), devaluation of ‘people’ skills as ‘soft’ skills and knowledge, a quest for absolutes, a focus on binary oppositions, black and white thinking and, disparaging discursive ways of knowing (See: Tannen, D., (ed.) (1993) Framing in Discourse. Oxford Uni Press, New York; Blenky, M., et.al., (1997) Women’s Ways of Knowing. Basic Books, New York.). These core priorities are extraordinarily prevalent in safety discourse.

imageSo to the question of this blog: Can there be a feminist safety? Of course there can but what are the challenges in being so? The history of safety demonstrates that STEM knowledge and a masculinist focus on objects (hazards) and power using regulation, has become the ‘way of safety’ or the dominant ‘paradigm’ (Kuhn). Simply being a woman in safety makes no difference to the practice of safety without a social psychology of risk. It is from a social psychological understanding that masculinist methods are brought into focus. Being a woman and maintaining masculinst methods of doing safety simply becomes masculinst safety. The tools of objectifying people, blaming (safety is a choice you make), punishing, inequality (by safety first), policing, telling, counting (zero and LTIs) and focusing on authoritarian approaches to safety are masculinst tools for power and control. The devaluing of dialogue, listening, respect, questioning, openness, trust, facilitation, helping and non-measurement show that feminist values struggle to take hold in safety. The mantra to do ‘safety differently’ is clearly a desire to move away from the traditionalist masculinist ideology that has come to dominate the way safety has been practiced.

As part of this discussion I think it is important that a male should write such a piece on feminist safety, as the confusion of gender with ideology is also a source of dismissal by a masculinism that devalues the voice speaking the message.

The recent emergence of the Women in Safety movement offers promise to an industry that is known for its brutalism, use of power (in the name of good) and objectification (see safety Isn’t Sexy and It Shouldn’t be; https://safetyrisk.net/safety-isnt-sexy-and-it-shouldnt-be/ ). I only hope that this new influence of Women in safety isn’t seduced by identity with masculinist methods and values.

Figure 1. The Evolution of Social Psychology and Feminist Approaches to Risk

image

  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
  • More about Rob
Dr Rob Long

Dr Rob Long

Expert in Social Psychology, Principal & Trainer at Human Dymensions
Dr Rob Long

Latest posts by Dr Rob Long (see all)

  • Culture Silences in Safety Mythology - May 16, 2022
  • The Safety Trifecta and Nothing Changes - May 14, 2022
  • Sleep Dysfunction, Dreaming and Safety - May 12, 2022
  • Working Out What Makes Sense in Safety - May 9, 2022
  • How to Tackle Risk You Can’t See - May 6, 2022
Dr Rob Long
PhD., MEd., MOH., BEd., BTh., Dip T., Dip Min., Cert IV TAA, MRMIA Rob is the founder of Human Dymensions and has extensive experience, qualifications and expertise across a range of sectors including government, education, corporate, industry and community sectors over 30 years. Rob has worked at all levels of the education and training sector including serving on various post graduate executive, post graduate supervision, post graduate course design and implementation programs.

Please share our posts

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Robert Long, Social Psychology of Risk Tagged With: femininity, masculinity

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search and Discover More on this Site

Visit Count – Started Jan 2015

  • 24,002,474 Visitors

Never miss a post - Subscribe via Email

Enter your email address and join other discerning risk and safety people who receive notifications of new posts by email

Join 7,419 other subscribers

NEW! Free Download

How we pay for the high cost of running of this site – try it for free on your site

Please take our 2 minute zero survey

Recent Comments

  • Roel on Free Workplace Health and Safety Downloads
  • Rob Long on Safety Silences – Video Series
  • BRENT R CHARLTON on Safety Silences – Video Series
  • Rob Long on Sleep Dysfunction, Dreaming and Safety
  • Rob Long on Working Out What Makes Sense in Safety
  • simon cassin on Working Out What Makes Sense in Safety
  • Rob Long on The Safety Trifecta and Nothing Changes
  • Aneta Parker on The Safety Trifecta and Nothing Changes
  • Rob Long on How to Tackle Risk You Can’t See
  • Andrew Thornhill on How to Tackle Risk You Can’t See

FREE eBOOK DOWNLOADS

Featured Downloads

  • Professional-Challenges-for-the-Safety-Industry (19550 downloads)
  • Injury Data Spreadsheet (20517 downloads)
  • template_training_needs.xls (4544 downloads)
  • Perception, Heuristics, Cognitive Bias and the Psychology of Safety (12960 downloads)
  • hazard-database.xls (5636 downloads)
  • SEEK-Brisbane-91011-Nov-2016-2.pdf (1632 downloads)
  • High Performance via Psychological Safety (6091 downloads)
  • How-can-the-ideology-of-zero-be-ethical_.pdf (682 downloads)
  • Abdukadirov_UnintendedConsequences_v11.pdf (1376 downloads)
  • Following-Leading-in-Risk-SECTION-1.pdf (2007 downloads)
  • covid–19: Identifying the symptoms (6677 downloads)
  • Walking is Still Our Best Medicine (9645 downloads)
  • Falls-Risk-Assessment-Tool.pdf (3592 downloads)
  • Safe Work Method Statement ACT (5563 downloads)
  • 2016AmericasSafestCompanies.pdf (2517 downloads)

Recent Posts

  • Culture Silences in Safety Mythology
  • The Safety Trifecta and Nothing Changes
  • Sleep Dysfunction, Dreaming and Safety
  • Working Out What Makes Sense in Safety
  • How to Tackle Risk You Can’t See
  • Study Reveals an Unexpected Side Effect of Traffic Safety Messages
  • Human Factors is Never About Humans
  • Where to Start in Humanising Leadership in Risk
  • Humanising Leadership in Risk, Shifting the Focus from Objects to Persons
  • Safety Silences – Video Series

What is Psychological Safety at Work?

Footer

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address and join other discerning risk and safety people who receive notifications of new posts by email

Join 7,419 other subscribers

AUTHORS

  • Alan Quilley
    • Heinrich–Industrial Accident Prevention
    • The Problem With ZERO Goals and Results
  • Bernard Corden
    • After the goldrush
    • The Internationale
  • Bill Sims
    • Employee Engagement: Chocolate, Vanilla, or Strawberry?
    • Injury Hiding-How do you stop it?
  • Craig Clancy
    • Task Based vs Activity Based Safe Work Method Statements
    • Safety And Tender Submissions
  • Daniel Kirk
    • It’s easy being wise after the event.
    • A Positive Safety Story
  • Dave Whitefield
    • Safety is about…
    • Safety and Compliance
  • Dennis Millard
    • Are You Risk Intelligent?
    • Honey they get me! They get me at work!
  • Drewie
    • Downturn Doin’ Your Head In? Let’s Chat….
    • How was your break?
  • Gabrielle Carlton
    • All Care and No Care!
    • You Are Not Alone!
  • George Robotham
    • How to Give an Unforgettable Safety Presentation
    • How To Write a Safety Report
  • Goran Prvulovic
    • Safety Manager – an Ultimate Scapegoat
    • HSE Performance – Back to Basics
  • James Ellis
    • Psychological Core Stability for Wellbeing in Workers Comp
    • In search of plan B in workers’ recovery
  • James Parkinson
    • To laugh or not to laugh
    • People and Safety
  • John Toomey
    • In it for The Long Haul – Making the most of the FIFO Lifestyle
    • Who is Responsible for This?
  • Karl Cameron
    • Abby Normal Safety
    • The Right Thing
  • Ken Roberts
    • Safety Legislation Is Our Biggest Accident?
    • HSE Trip Down Memory Lane
  • Mark Perrett
    • Psychology of Persuasion: Top 5 influencing skills for getting what you want
  • Mark Taylor
    • Build a Psychologically Safe Workplace by Taking Risks and Analysing Failures
    • Enculturing Safety
  • Max Geyer
    • WHS Legislation is NOT about Safety it’s about Culture
    • Due Diligence Is Not Just Ticking Boxes!
  • Matt Thorne
    • Safety Culture–Hudson’s Model
    • Culture – Edgar Schein
  • Peter Ribbe
    • Is there “Common Sense” in safety?
    • Who wants to be a safety professional?
  • Phil LaDuke
    • Professional Conferences Are A Sleazy Con
    • Hey Idiots, You’re Worried About the Wrong Things
  • Admin
    • Study Reveals an Unexpected Side Effect of Traffic Safety Messages
    • Humanising Leadership in Risk, Shifting the Focus from Objects to Persons
  • Dr Rob Long
    • Culture Silences in Safety Mythology
    • The Safety Trifecta and Nothing Changes
  • Rob Sams
    • The Learning (and unlearning) that Revealed my Vocation
    • I’m just not that into safety anymore
  • Barry Spud
    • Things To Consider When Developing And Designing Your Company SWMS
    • Bad Safety Photos
  • Sheri Suckling
    • How Can I Get the Boss to Listen?
  • Simon Cassin
    • Safety values, ideas, behaviours and clothes
  • Safety Nerd
    • The Block isn’t portraying safety as it should be
    • Toolbox Talk Show–PPE
  • Wynand Serfontein
    • Why The Problem With Learning Is Unlearning
    • I DON’T KNOW
  • Zoe Koskinas
    • Why is fallibility so challenging in the workplace?

Most commented on

The Unconscious and the Soap Dispenser

Forecasting Safety

The Banned Objects Index – A New Development in Safety Culture

Dumbs for Safety

The Real Barriers to Safety

Safety as Faith Healing

Who Said We Don’t Need Systems?

How to use signs, symbols and text effectively in communicating about risk

Why Safety Controls Don’t Always Work

Safety Should NOT Be About Safety

FEATURED POSTS

The Safety Worldview

Social Psychology of Risk in Canada

The Social Politics of Risk Workshop

‘False Consciousness’ and Perception in Risk and Safety

Culture About Much More Than Structure

Models From Social Sensemaking

No Soft Skills in Safety

The Social Psychology of Distance-Safety

Incommensurability and Discourse in Risk

Learning from people who we don’t agree with

History and Hindsight in Safety

The Sully Effect

What’s Faith Got To Do With Safety

Dumb Ways to Die Doesn’t Work

Semiotics and Unconscious Communication in Safety

The Challenges for Organisations in Dealing with Mental Health

safety myths

Understanding Safety Myths

Evidence, Proof and Paperwork in Safety

Post Graduate Safety Potato Heads

Personhood and Risk

More Posts from this Category

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address and join other discerning risk and safety people who receive notifications of new posts by email

Join 7,419 other subscribers

How we pay for the high cost of running of this site – try it for free on your site

 

How To Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer

 

 

How to Make your own Covid-19 Face Mask

 

Covid-19 Returning To Work Safety, Transitioning, Start Up And Re Entry Plans

 

How’s the Hot Desking Going Covid?

imageOne of the benefits of the Covid-19 epidemic is a total rethink about how we live and work (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-28/coronavirus-could-reshape-how-australians-work-forever/12097124 ).

Expertise by Regurgitation and Re-Badging

One of the fascinating things about the Coronavirus pandemic is watching Safety morph into epidemiology expertise. I would like a dollar for every flyer, presentation, podcast, powerpoint, checklist template, toolbox talk and poster set that had jumped into my inbox… Read the rest

The Stress of Stasis

One of the challenging things about the Coronavirus crisis is stasis. For those without work and confined to home, for those in self-isolation, it’s like life is frozen in time. ‘Stay at home’ is the mantra. The trouble is, in… Read the rest

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.