Beware of Hazardous ‘OINTMENT’ One thing that I have become deeply aware of over the past few years is the impact that social arrangements have on us, especially in how we make decisions and judgments about risk. Many of our decisions and choices are impacted, often through our unconscious, by a … [Read more...] about Beware of Hazardous ‘OINTMENT’
Humble Inquiry
‘Can’t Means Won’t Try’ – The Challenge of Being Challenged
‘Can’t Means Won’t Try’ – The Challenge of Being Challenged Why is change easy for children and often so difficult for adults in the work environment? Are workers just being difficult, or is there more to it than that? It seems that there are challenges to being challenged. I’m feeling inspired … [Read more...] about ‘Can’t Means Won’t Try’ – The Challenge of Being Challenged
Top 20 Safety Books
This list was put together by Dr Rob Long – he is far too humble to recommend his own books. My advice is that before you read any of the books below, get a hold of Rob’s books. They are easy to read and practically translate most of the concepts from the authors and books below. “Risk Makes Sense” … [Read more...] about Top 20 Safety Books
Do we Need a Different Way of Being in Safety?
Do we Need a Different Way of Being in Safety? There are many people working in Safety who seek a ‘different’ way of engaging with others, and rightly so. The current policing and patrolling approaches adopted by many, seem to be doing little to support people in how they tackle the challenges of … [Read more...] about Do we Need a Different Way of Being in Safety?
Just Toolbox it!
Just Toolbox it! ‘Just Toolbox it!’ How often have you heard this term in risk and safety? It seems to be the key way we address safety concerns including incidents, hazards, a ‘safety alert’ or a ‘safety share’ As the name suggests, the ‘Toolbox Talk’ (also known as the ‘pre-start chat’, the … [Read more...] about Just Toolbox it!
Making Technicians Not Helpers
Making Technicians Not Helpers People have enrolled in the CLLR Certificate online and in face-to-face studies (https://cllr.com.au/register-to-study/) recently, many with graduate and post-graduate qualifications in Safety. Near all, without exception, are looking for the skills and knowledge that … [Read more...] about Making Technicians Not Helpers
The Art of Humble Inquiry as a Pathway to Safety Improvement
The message here is so simple yet contradicts orthodox and contemporary safety education, training and practice: “telling is more risky than asking”, "We see ‘asking’ as a ‘weakness’ or being ‘ignorant’ so we avoid it" The Art of Humble Inquiry as a Pathway to Safety Improvement I was chatting with … [Read more...] about The Art of Humble Inquiry as a Pathway to Safety Improvement
Top 10 Things About Safety and Risk That Only a Handful of People Know
Top 10 Things About Safety and Risk That Only a Handful of People Know Republished by request Here are 10 and a bit things about safety that I plucked from some recent blog posts, that singularly or collectively only a handful of people may know. Or, if they knew them, perhaps did not know … [Read more...] about Top 10 Things About Safety and Risk That Only a Handful of People Know
Interrogation by Another Name
Interrogation by Another Name Effective response to events (investigation) is not about Technique, neither is humble enquiry about Technique (Technique is the ideology of efficiency – Ellul) or style of questions. The beginning and foundation for an effective response to any event is ethics. To do … [Read more...] about Interrogation by Another Name
Top 10 Simple Things You Can Do To Dramatically Improve Safety
Top 10 Simple Things You Can Do To Dramatically Improve Safety (you will probably not find many of these in text books or regulations) The most common feedback I get on this blog is something like: “all this theory is great but what can I do to apply it”. I know Safety loves simplicity and … [Read more...] about Top 10 Simple Things You Can Do To Dramatically Improve Safety