The issue of culture is a ‘wicked problem’ for Safety (https://safetyrisk.net/risk-and-safety-as-a-wicked-problem/ ), that makes it a wicked wicked problem. Understanding both safety and culture as wicked problems is critical for ‘tackling’ risk. I use the word tackling because there is no sense in … [Read more...] about Culture as a Wicked Problem, for Safety
Wicked Problems
Safety Leadership Training
Safety Leadership Training Frustrated by the lack of quality training/studies currently available in the field of Safety Leadership and Risk Psychology, Dr Rob Long decided to set up his own Post Graduate Program. Having seen Rob in action, this promises to be a very enjoyable, enlightening and … [Read more...] about Safety Leadership Training
Cultural Orientation in Risk
One of the challenges for the safety industry is the myth of objectivity and the seduction of order and control. When one holds a thirst for power (through engineering and behaviourism) the last thing one wants to be told is that some things are ‘wicked’ … [Read more...] about Cultural Orientation in Risk
Safety Leadership Essentials
Safety Leadership Essentials A friend showed me a four day course they had to attend for their company titled ‘Safety Leadership’. As I looked through the materials I couldn’t see anything I thought resembled ‘leadership’ in safety. The course was cover to cover with the fundamentals of … [Read more...] about Safety Leadership Essentials
Safety as a Worldview
Safety as a Worldview It is interesting observing the discourse (transmission of power) in safety regarding version 1, 2 or 3 as if Safety is about a ‘style’ of engagement and activity. A recent article by Kevin Jones highlights the problem (Golden Rules, ethics, leadership and workplace safety). … [Read more...] about Safety as a Worldview
Focus on ‘Meeting’ people, not legislation – a path to risk maturity
Focus on ‘Meeting’ people, not legislation – a path to risk maturity ‘Due Diligence’ seems a buzz term in health and safety in Australia at the moment. I’ve heard many refer to ‘due diligence’ and it’s six steps, as the answer to what we have long been searching in health and safety. Many believe … [Read more...] about Focus on ‘Meeting’ people, not legislation – a path to risk maturity
Culture is Cloudy in Safety, and That’s a Good Thing
I read with amusement the book Safety Cultures, Safety Models with so much assertion, assumption, projection, intra-safety confirmation bias and emotive language with little evidence. One of the favourite metaphors in the book is the use of the language of ‘cloud’. Apparently, confusion is … [Read more...] about Culture is Cloudy in Safety, and That’s a Good Thing
The Silver Bullet
The Safety Silver Bullet I found it! You can buy your official silver bullet HERE >>>> The idea of finding a silver bullet is that there is a perfect solution to a problem. It’s a simple idea that comes from binary absolute thinking. Such thinking is very common in safety and proposes … [Read more...] about The Silver Bullet
In Praise of In-Between Thinking in Risk and Safety
In Praise of In-Between Thinking in Risk and Safety As much as Kahneman’s book Thinking Fast and Slow is helpful, it also sustains the idea that the human mind operates in a binary paradigm. As much as Ariely’s book Logically Irrational helps people understand the nature of human decision making, … [Read more...] about In Praise of In-Between Thinking in Risk and Safety
Structure Does NOT Create Culture
The best way to make dollars in safety is to tell the industry what it wants to hear, then call it ‘thought leadership’ (https://ehscongress.com/#About) then mix, rinse and serve up the same old stuff again. Such is the safety code (https://safetyrisk.net/deciphering-safety-code/). It’s so … [Read more...] about Structure Does NOT Create Culture