In the long tradition of valuing incompetence in Safety, we have this kind of stuff (Macmahon names "The Hulk" as mental health ambassador) () parading about as if it is of some value. I know let’s study culture and ask a chemical engineer!!! Of course, incompetence on culture (what we do … [Read more...] about Playing With Mental Health in Safety is Dangerous
Mental health
STOP ‘BREAKING’ PEOPLE! The notion of Psychological Safety
Last year I was supporting David at work. He came to me and asked to have a confidential conversation. It was any ordinary day but for David it was a day that his world imploded. He sat with me sobbing in despair and feeling hopeless and ‘broken’. David was not new to the realm of mental health. … [Read more...] about STOP ‘BREAKING’ PEOPLE! The notion of Psychological Safety
Learning to Learn Socially
“LEADERSHIP is TIME and a simple CUP OF COFFEE” Brian Darlington, Mondi I took a leap of faith 3 years ago and stepped away from my consulting business to immerse myself into being an employee. I wanted to be part of the machinations, to connect, to engage and grow with the people all working … [Read more...] about Learning to Learn Socially
What is Psychological Safety?
Find Psychological Safety Resources HERE >>>> Mental Health is certainly a hot topic at the moment. Even the Safety Regulators are encouraging us to apply the same old ineffective safety methodologies to “fixing” the problem people. Emerging also are buzz words like “Mental First Aid” … [Read more...] about What is Psychological Safety?
No Help for Mental Health in Zero
No Help for Mental Health in Zero I came into work in the safety industry after many years in various professions including Community Services, not-for-profit services, Social Work, Education, Youth Services, Youth Detention, Pastoral Counselling, EAP and Corrections. In all of these professional … [Read more...] about No Help for Mental Health in Zero
Not Just Another ‘Hazard’
When one reads ISO 45003 or any other Codes of Practice regarding Psychosocial Health it is clear that the engineers are in town. It is as if a ‘cut and paste’ has been done associating Psychosocial health as if it is just another hazard. It is NOT! Of course, the history of the safety industry … [Read more...] about Not Just Another ‘Hazard’
Hazards Near Me
I have just downloaded the NSW Emergency Services new app, ‘Hazards Near Me’ (https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/hazards-near-me-app). Of course, this compliments the recent Code of Practice for Psychosocial Hazards … [Read more...] about Hazards Near Me
A Comparison of Safety Paradigms
A paradigm is a distinct set of concept and thinking that result in distinct practices. In recent times it has occurred to coroners at inquests, auditors and government that poor safety culture has a central role in normalising unsafe practice. Inspectors and auditors are now ever mindful that … [Read more...] about A Comparison of Safety Paradigms
Measurement and Psychosocial Safety
If you ask the wrong questions, you collect the wrong data Rather than measure what we value, we seem to value what we can measure - Unknown Generalisations are always problematic, because there are always exceptions. However, it is sometimes handy to use generalisations like a story, to … [Read more...] about Measurement and Psychosocial Safety
The Sickness of Safetyism
The Sickness of Safetyism When I do training and safety people attend there is invariably someone who introduces themselves by the nominal ‘Safety Sam’ or ‘Safety Sally’. This is how they are known at work and want to be identified and unfortunately are proud of it. Funny, I’ve never met a ‘Teacher … [Read more...] about The Sickness of Safetyism