For many years DuPont have perpetuated the myth that they are the “Worlds Safest Company” and a “world-class safety leader”. In the 1940s the company developed the safety philosophy that “all accidents are preventable”. Encouraged by their perception of success, DuPont eventually turned safety … [Read more...] about Safety Curves and Pyramids
Search Results for: paradox
What we say matters: Zero and other Aspirations
Latest by WHS Lawyer Greg Smith and co-author of Risky Conversations, The Law, Social Psychology and Risk. What we say matters: Zero and other Aspirations – First Published Here It seems hardly a day goes by without social media raising a new discussion about the merits or otherwise of “Zero … [Read more...] about What we say matters: Zero and other Aspirations
I’m Not Playing Any More
I’m Not Playing Any More By Hayden Collins – First published here Have you ever felt that somebody is manipulating you for their own gain? That your vulnerabilities are being exploited, leaving you helpless? We have all been targets to this kind of behaviour, and I’m sure many of us have inflicted … [Read more...] about I’m Not Playing Any More
The Pub with no Beer (Due to Health and Safety Reasons)
The Pub with no Beer (Due to Health and Safety Reasons) Anyone else sick of being told they can’t do something “due to health and safety reasons”? Latest by Hayden Collins from https://www.riskintelligent.com.au/ I was at the local pub with a mate recently and stopped to check out the entry to … [Read more...] about The Pub with no Beer (Due to Health and Safety Reasons)
Human Dymensions Feb17 Newsletter and Competition
Human Dymensions Feb17 Newsletter and Competition Understanding Emergence The idea that organisations ‘drift’ into failure is not the language I would use to explain why things go wrong in organisations. Neither do I use the language or discourse of ‘human error’ or ‘human factors’ in … [Read more...] about Human Dymensions Feb17 Newsletter and Competition
Fooled by Certainty
Fooled by Certainty How often do we go about our lives expecting, assuming, and at times demanding; that our plans, our ideas and even our relationships are ‘safe and sound’ (certain)? It is as-if such plans, ideas and relationships have some kind of magical guarantee attached to them which means … [Read more...] about Fooled by Certainty
Scenario Learning in Risk and Safety
Scenario Learning in Risk and Safety One of the best ways of learning safety is through scenarios. Scenarios are constructed to either replicate real situations to maximize perception of recognizable cues or, to enhance the imagination of possibilities. One of the greatest capabilities a safety … [Read more...] about Scenario Learning in Risk and Safety
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
Triarchic Thinking and Risk
Triarchic Thinking and Risk The language and symbols of the risk and safety industry are plagued with everything binary. The imagined certainty of black and white thinking in a random and fallible world affords the idea that human behavior is predictable and mechanical. Nothing is more delusional … [Read more...] about Triarchic Thinking and Risk
Work as it is actually performed: investigating when nothing happens
Latest Post by WHS Lawyer Greg Smith, co-author of Risky Conversations. Greg asks the question: “What do your philosophy and implementation of incident investigations say about you?” . Asking “what went right” may seem like a positive thing to do but safety is full of paradoxes and all you may be … [Read more...] about Work as it is actually performed: investigating when nothing happens