Measurement Anxiety in Safety When we say that something has affected us ‘beyond measure’ we express one of the truisms of life. Many times in life we not only experience things ‘without measure’ but we are also ‘lost for words’. It is often in moments of ecstasy, suffering, awesomeness and … [Read more...] about Measurement Anxiety in Safety
Covid-19
When Slogans Don’t Work
One of the many slogans that have been circulated about during the Covid-19 crisis is: ‘we’re all in this together’. In an interesting take on this slogan (https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/no-we-re-not-all-in-this-together-20200505-p54q0p.html) we learn much about the power of slogans … [Read more...] about When Slogans Don’t Work
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 order to be fulfilled as persons we need movement not just movement in … [Read more...] about The Stress of Stasis
Data Ethics and the Ethics of Data in Safety
Data Ethics and the Ethics of Data in Safety I received an email yesterday about data mining and safety data with promises of making unseen risks visible using artificial intelligence (AI). The marketing is ‘choc-a-block’ with promises of what AI can do and how algorithmic analysis can tell you … [Read more...] about Data Ethics and the Ethics of Data in Safety
Solace In Times of Uncertainty
Amidst the constant uncertainty of life, there are no answers found in measurables. There is no assurance to uncertainty in Qanta (https://safetydifferently.com/todd-conklin-quanta-risk-and-safety-conference-2019/ )! Technique, mechanics, behaviourism and data offer nothing for persons when faced … [Read more...] about Solace In Times of Uncertainty
Motivation and de-Motivation in Safety
One of the delusions of Behaviourism is that guilt and punitive consequence are motivational. The opposite is the case. There is endless research to demonstrate that the assumptions of Behaviourism don’t work. It’s quite straightforward: humans are not machines and not the sum of inputs and … [Read more...] about Motivation and de-Motivation in Safety
Covid-19, Cricket and Lessons in Safety
There are few activities in Australian culture as sacralised as cricket, afterall it is played on ‘hallowed’ turf and when something is ‘hallowed’ it has been made ‘holy’ and ‘consecrated’. Here are some examples: · … [Read more...] about Covid-19, Cricket and Lessons in Safety
Why Safety Loves Covid-19
I read with interest this piece by ASSP in EHS Today (Leading safety Professionals Into the Future). More propaganda from a sector known for its policing, paperwork and zero. Interestingly, the article confirms in its first paragraph that this is how safety people are perceived. The article goes on … [Read more...] about Why Safety Loves Covid-19
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 on a daily basis in the last … [Read more...] about Expertise by Regurgitation and Re-Badging
Heaven ‘n Hell and the Safety Religion
Heaven ‘n Hell and the Safety Religion I try not to get surprised by the amount of safety delusion that gets sent to me each week. Most of it is packaged in religious discourse and soteriology (salvation discourse) all about playing ‘god’ over other people. The sense of omnipotence displayed in the … [Read more...] about Heaven ‘n Hell and the Safety Religion