The Safety and ‘New View’ Debate How Many Angels Can Dance on a Pinhead? Introduction Let me first acknowledge that I do not find any ranking of safety such as S1 or S2 helpful, so I try to avoid such language and will do my best to avoid it in this paper. Indeed, ranking language in safety is … [Read more...] about The Safety and ‘New View’ Debate
Search Results for: paradox
The Psychic Effect of Safety
The Psychic Effect of Safety and What to Do About It One of the flow on effects of the politics of Safety is unconscious fear. I met a host of officials in safety associations recently and was overcome with the anxiety of some as we shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. I was due to stand up and give … [Read more...] about The Psychic Effect of Safety
Suffering – Sometimes There Is No Reason
Suffering - Sometimes There Is No Reason In general when a puzzle sits in front of safety, it must solve it and in safety all problem solving is deemed good. There is little talk of faith, sustaining contradiction, suffering, uncertainty, paradox, wisdom, discerning or doubt when one must find a … [Read more...] about Suffering – Sometimes There Is No Reason
Investigations and The Simplicity Attraction
Investigations and The Simplicity Attraction In the face of so much noise, competing values, diversity and confusion stands the myth of Occam’s Razor, a wish that when faced with multiple factors, humans will always opt for the shortest simplest route. The 14th Century philosopher/theologian … [Read more...] about Investigations and The Simplicity Attraction
The Disembodied Human and Persons in Safety
The Disembodied Human and Persons in Safety One of the weaknesses of the positivist ideology (https://safetyrisk.net/the-paradox-of-positivism-for-safety/) that dominates safety is the behaviourist notion that humans are objects that simply respond to inputs and outputs. Wouldn’t it be neat and … [Read more...] about The Disembodied Human and Persons in Safety
Foundations of Perception and Imagination in Risk
In many ways humans see what they want to see, there is no such thing as objective perception. The modern study of the Psychology of Perception really started with the work of Bruner, Postman and Goodman in the 1940s (https://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Bruner/Cards/). Bruner and Postman showed through … [Read more...] about Foundations of Perception and Imagination in Risk
I’m Still Not That Into Safety
A sequel to: I’m just not that into safety anymore Our most popular article this year! Why do you think that is? Rob's courage and honesty has certainly touched some nerves! I’m just not that into safety anymore I have spoken with a number of Managers over the past few months who have argued with … [Read more...] about I’m Still Not That Into Safety
How does collective mindfulness apply to workers compensation?
How does collective mindfulness apply to workers compensation? How do our expectations get us into trouble? Oh, and what is the meaning of life? I’m not so sure which I enjoy most anymore, being right or being wrong? My family, who are accustomed to my insatiable appetite for being right are (I … [Read more...] about How does collective mindfulness apply to workers compensation?
When Only More Guilt Will Do
I Chose to Look The Other Way - When Only More Guilt Will Do The idea that I am my brother’s keeper (https://safetyrisk.net/safety-as-a-patriarchal-activity/) is a psychological attachment infused in the theology of safety. How interesting that safety is apparently a ‘choice I make’ yet the … [Read more...] about When Only More Guilt Will Do
Chronic Unease is Not Enough
Chronic Unease is Not Enough The concept of ‘chronic unease’ has been about in safety for some time. It was unfortunately put forward by Reason as a mindset to tackle complacency. Complacency is rarely well defined and is most associated with: in-alertness, lethargy, laziness, not being … [Read more...] about Chronic Unease is Not Enough