The language we chose, the way we frame a message, the way language primes receiving and how this affects the interpretation of risk is a complex process. Words have to have meaning which is most often given in context. Language is neither objective or neutral. The metaphors you use shape belief … [Read more...] about Your Language Affects Risk Perception
Robert Long
Online Study: Linguistics and Risk
If you would like to register for this 5 session course you can register by email: admin@cllr.com.au. An overview of the course is here: https://cllr.com.au/product/linguistics-flyer-unit-21/ The fee for the 5 sessions is $250. Sessions will commence on 16 Tuesday July at 9am-10.30am and … [Read more...] about Online Study: Linguistics and Risk
The Mystery of The Unconscious for Safety
You won’t find a detailed study of the human unconscious in relation to risk and safety in the safety industry. Yet, you will hear countless references to it as: ‘complacency’, ‘lack of awareness’ and ‘lack of concentration’ etc. Indeed, most often when the word ‘complacency’ is given that’s the end … [Read more...] about The Mystery of The Unconscious for Safety
The Meaning of Resilience in Safety
The safety industry is so poor at tackling the nature of resilience because it denies the nature of human fallibility. This is the burden of believing in zero! There’s no need to speak about resilience if you believe in zero. The key message in safety is to ‘just believe’ or to ‘believe the … [Read more...] about The Meaning of Resilience in Safety
Scars That Never Heal
One of the grand delusions of Safety is its focus on physical harm. This is fostered by the silly language of ‘hazards’ and ‘controls’. Even then, the silly industry describes psychosocial harm as a ‘hazard’ (https://safetyrisk.net/what-is-psychosocial-safety/ ). You couldn’t make such stupidity … [Read more...] about Scars That Never Heal
Hide Those Knives, There are Adults Around
I was on a Tier One construction site recently and was surprised that knives are still banned on site. I had brought a puzzle as part of training and needed a sharp knife to break the puzzle that had been wedged together. Unfortunately, there were no pocket knife or Stanley knives on site. I … [Read more...] about Hide Those Knives, There are Adults Around
Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced iCue Skills
Those who know SPoR and have completed studies in SPoR, know that learning the iCue method is not simple or easy. The benefits for safety people however, are significant. We have written a great deal about this foundational method (https://www.humandymensions.com/product/spor-and-semiotics/) … [Read more...] about Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced iCue Skills
Quantum Systems and Operationalising SPoR
I was asked as a result of the last blog and Newsletter how Quantum Mechanics (https://safetyrisk.net/what-does-quantum-tell-safety/) affects risk and safety and, how to ‘operationalise’ a method accordingly. At the heart of Quantum is uncertainty, paradox and ambiguity … [Read more...] about Quantum Systems and Operationalising SPoR
Spock Logic in Risk and Safety
Spock Logic in Risk and Safety Image Source When Star Trek first came on to Australian TV in 1967 I was fascinated by Mr Spock. His weird ears and his cold logic were his trade mark in a show that was so new for those times. Now we look back at the basic graphics and studio mock ups and wonder … [Read more...] about Spock Logic in Risk and Safety
What Does Quantum Tell Safety?
Any exploration of Quantum Mechanics or the New Physics is an education in what we don’t know. Perhaps start with: Ball, P., (2018) Beyond Weird. Uni of Chicago Press. New York Carroll, G., (2020) Quantum Physics, For Beginners. … [Read more...] about What Does Quantum Tell Safety?