Human Factors Factors Someone sent me an email today with an opportunity to present on ‘human factors’ and risk. Whilst I understand the ‘human factors’ approach I don’t think it understands the social psychology of risk. The term ‘human factors’ has a focus on humans as factors within a system, … [Read more...] about Human Factors Factors
Human Error
To Err is Human, You Better Believe It
I was sent this classic today (https://www.shponline.co.uk/culture-and-behaviours/dominic-cooper-to-err-is-human-or-is-it/ ). I get so much safety nonsense sent to me it is hard to keep up. When you have no linguistic sense nor understanding of an ethic of personhood, it’s so easy to write … [Read more...] about To Err is Human, You Better Believe It
The Fallibility Factor
Isn’t it strange that we read everywhere in safety about ‘Human Factors’ but never about the Fallibility Factors. Fallibility is the character, status, quality, nature and the enduring permanence of being a human person. Fallibility is essential for learning and risk. Fallibility is the … [Read more...] about The Fallibility Factor
Risk Homeostasis Theory–Why Safety Initiatives Go Wrong
My favourite quote is in relation to racing drivers on normal roads and why they have more crashes and get more fines: “At their level of skill, driving like an average driver may be intolerably boring. Imagine being a master of Beethoven and all you are allowed to play is “Twinkle, twinkle, little … [Read more...] about Risk Homeostasis Theory–Why Safety Initiatives Go Wrong
When There is no Fix?
When There is no Fix? One of the favourite words of the safety sector is ‘controls’. Hazards and controls, that’s the scope of safety. However, the moment one engages in an ethic of risk one learns that life and being are not that simple. There is no objective, neutral notion of risk without … [Read more...] about When There is no Fix?
Causation Concoctions
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
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