Incommensurability and Discourse in Risk One of the most important concepts discussed by Feyerbend, Laktos, MacIntyre and Kuhn is that of incommensurability. Incommensurability refers to incongruence and misunderstanding between linguistic structures. What this means is that disciplines are limited … [Read more...] about Incommensurability and Discourse in Risk
Robert Long
Isn’t it Time We Reformed the WHS Curriculum?
Isn’t it Time We Reformed the WHS Curriculum? Dr Robert Long - Executive Director - Centre for Leadership and Learning in Risk Executive Summary This paper argues the case for reformation of the WHS curriculum in Australia. It proposes that safety cannot be done ‘differently’ without such a … [Read more...] about Isn’t it Time We Reformed the WHS Curriculum?
Why Personify Safety?
Why Personify Safety? I spoke at a conference last week and had the unfortunate experience of following a presentation by a regulator. When will safety people get sick and tired of being bombarded with statistics, injury rates, graphs and charts? I have no idea why safety people would want to hear … [Read more...] about Why Personify Safety?
The Binary Barnacle
The Binary Barnacle Binary Opposition and the logic of safety “How many people do you want to injure today…..?” A barnacle is marine crustacean that attaches itself permanently to something else. It can be cut off but its attachment is so fused into the object that it damages the host in … [Read more...] about The Binary Barnacle
Lessons From Safety Prosecutions–Book Giveaway
Lessons From Safety Prosecutions–Book Giveaway Like a free copy of the Safety Myth busting book “Risky Conversations” plus access to some 20+ accompanying videos (these are awesome – see an example here)? WARNING: As it already has for so many others, it will completely change the way you think … [Read more...] about Lessons From Safety Prosecutions–Book Giveaway
HumanDymensions Newsletter–June 2016
HumanDymensions Newsletter–June 2016 Risky Conversations, The Law, Social Psychology and Risk It is with pleasure we can announce the publication of book 5 in the series on the Social Psychology of Risk - Risky Conversations, The Law, Social Psychology and Risk. The book is the result of three … [Read more...] about HumanDymensions Newsletter–June 2016
All Injuries are Preventable and Other Silly Safety Sayings
quotable quote: “The use of silly and meaningless safety language matters, it creates a distraction and delusion that safety and risk are being addressed. We may feel good about speaking such words but they dumb down culture and distract people from taking safety seriously”. All Injuries are … [Read more...] about All Injuries are Preventable and Other Silly Safety Sayings
Anthropocentric Safety
“the floggings shall continue until morale improves” It is simply delusional to think or espouse that people can be controlled or enforced into total compliance. A mechanical approach to safety, consumed by zero harm, absolutes and statistics is simply alienating, non-inspiring and de-motivational. … [Read more...] about Anthropocentric Safety
Making Sense of Risk and Safety–Interview with George Robotham
Making Sense of Risk and Safety - An Interview with George Robotham by Dr Rob Long - April 2013 Dedicated to the life and work of the late George Robotham who passed away, on Sept 11th 2013. When Rob asked what mates would say at his Eulogy, George replies: I would like them to say I was a good … [Read more...] about Making Sense of Risk and Safety–Interview with George Robotham
The Social Psychology of Risk Event Exploration (Investigation) Knowledge
I can personally recommend this program (no I don’t get a kickback!) to anyone wanting to undertake more effective investigations and who feels that there is something crucial missing with their current methods and tools – I PROMISE THAT THIS IS A COMPLETE EYE & MIND OPENER – I wrote about … [Read more...] about The Social Psychology of Risk Event Exploration (Investigation) Knowledge