The AIHS Bok on Causation commences with the following: ‘If safety management is effective, then there should be an absence of accidents. Conversely, if accidents are occurring then effective safety management must be absent’ (p.1). The assumptions in these statements are of course not declared in … [Read more...] about Causation Concoctions
Human Error
CFA Fixville – No one here gets out alive
Technological progress has merely provided us with more efficient means for going backwards Aldous Huxley 1 The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has legislative responsibility for handling fire and other related emergencies throughout regional Victoria in Australia. It employed a significant … [Read more...] about CFA Fixville – No one here gets out alive
To Err is Human, To Forgive Divine
To Err is Human, To Forgive Divine The fixation of Safety with this little phrase and its misreading by the industry shows so clearly that the safety industry lacks the ability to think critically about error. A recent debate at an SIA conference (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnMLHjrSFJw ) … [Read more...] about To Err is Human, To Forgive Divine
A Critique of Pure Reason
A Critique of Pure Reason - (With Apologies to Immanuel Kant) There is not a week goes by without someone suggesting I should read James Reason or that I haven’t read James Reason. I am also advised that I don’t read James Reason properly because somehow all worldviews must be in agreement, … [Read more...] about A Critique of Pure Reason
Safety Myths and Misconceptions
Safety Myths & Misconceptions Republished in memory of the late George Robotham (see all of his articles here) and his mentor Geoff McDonald who also recently passed away (https://safetyrisk.net/vale-geoff-mcdonald/) Note:- Brisbane based OHS consultant, Geoff McDonald has considerably … [Read more...] about Safety Myths and Misconceptions
Isn’t it Time We Reformed the WHS Curriculum?
Isn’t it Time We Reformed the WHS Curriculum? Dr Robert Long - Executive Director - Centre for Leadership and Learning in Risk Executive Summary This paper argues the case for reformation of the WHS curriculum in Australia. It proposes that safety cannot be done ‘differently’ without such a … [Read more...] about Isn’t it Time We Reformed the WHS Curriculum?
Just Shut The Gates?
Just Shut The Gates? Another pondering from sharp end for discussion – by James Parkinson from www.safety-consultant.com.au In the safety field I have learned to accept that not all things can be controlled the way some people would like to think they can be. In saying this, it brings me to … [Read more...] about Just Shut The Gates?
Situational Awareness and Human Error
Situational Awareness and Human Error An interesting article by Sidney Dekker on the Safety Differently Blog: Is It 1947 Yet? Neither Lieutenant Nathan Poloski’s body, nor his F/A-18 Hornet were ever found in waters almost three miles deep. All that was located in the Western Pacific after his … [Read more...] about Situational Awareness and Human Error
The Error Diary
The Error Diary Just discovered this quirky website “The Error Diary”. Sign up and reveal your daily errors on line or you can hashtag (sounds like I know what that means but I have no idea?) #errordiary from Twitter. They also collect and publish articles about error from the world of medicine, … [Read more...] about The Error Diary
Risk, Safety and Fundamental Attribution Error
Risk, Safety and Fundamental Attribution Error What do they say about damn lies and statistics? Well, maybe safety hasn’t heard about that one, nor it seems has the CFMEU or ACT Regulator. Recently the Secretary of the CFMEU trotted out yet again the statistic that the ACT Building and Construction … [Read more...] about Risk, Safety and Fundamental Attribution Error