• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SafetyRisk.net

Humanising Health, Safety and Risk

  • Home
    • About
      • Privacy Policy
      • Contact
  • FREE
    • Slogans
      • Researchers Reveal the Top 10 Most Effective Safety Slogans Of All Time
      • When Slogans Don’t Work
      • CLASSIC, FAMOUS and INFAMOUS SAFETY QUOTES
      • BIGGEST COLLECTION of WORKPLACE HEALTH and SAFETY SLOGANS 2023
      • CATCHY and FUNNY SAFETY SLOGANS FOR THE WORKPLACE
      • COVID-19 (Coronavirus, Omicron) Health and Safety Slogans and Quotes for the Workplace
      • Safety Acronyms
      • You know Where You Can Stick Your Safety Slogans
      • Sayings, Slogans, Aphorisms and the Discourse of Simple
      • Spanish Safety Slogans – Consignas de seguridad
      • Safety Slogans List
      • Road Safety Slogans 2023
      • How to write your own safety slogans
      • Why Are Safety Slogans Important
      • Safety Slogans Don’t Save Lives
      • 40 Free Safety Slogans For the Workplace
      • Safety Slogans for Work
    • FREE SAFETY eBOOKS
    • Free Hotel and Resort Risk Management Checklist
    • FREE DOWNLOADS
    • TOP 50
    • FREE RISK ASSESSMENT FORMS
    • Find a Safety Consultant
    • Free Safety Program Documents
    • Psychology Of Safety
    • Safety Ideas That Work
    • HEALTH and SAFETY MANUALS
    • FREE SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT RESOURCES
    • Whats New In Safety
    • FUN SAFETY STUFF
    • Health and Safety Training
    • SAFETY COURSES
    • Safety Training Needs Analysis and Matrix
    • Top 20 Safety Books
    • This Toaster Is Hot
    • Free Covid-19 Toolbox Talks
    • Download Page – Please Be Patient With Larger Files…….
    • SAFETY IMAGES, Photos, Unsafe Pictures and Funny Fails
    • How to Calculate TRIFR, LTIFR and Other Health and Safety Indicators
    • Download Safety Moments from Human Resources Secretariat
  • Social Psychology Of Risk
    • What is Psychological Health and Safety at Work?
    • Safety Psychology Terminology
    • Some Basics on Social Psychology & Risk
    • Understanding The Social Psychology of Risk – Prof Karl E. Weick
    • The Psychology of Leadership in Risk
    • Conducting a Psychology and Culture Safety Walk
    • The Psychology of Conversion – 20 Tips to get Started
    • Understanding The Social Psychology of Risk And Safety
    • Psychology and safety
    • The Psychology of Safety
    • Hot Toaster
    • TALKING RISK VIDEOS
    • WHAT IS SAFETY
    • THE HOT TOASTER
    • THE ZERO HARM DEBATE
    • SEMIOTICS
    • LEADERSHIP
  • Dr Long Posts
    • ALL POSTS
    • Learning Styles Matter
    • There is no Hierarchy of Controls
    • Scaffolding, Readiness and ZPD in Learning
    • What Can Safety Learn From Playschool?
    • Presentation Tips for Safety People
    • Dialogue Do’s and Don’ts
    • It’s Only a Symbol
    • Ten Cautions About Safety Checklists
    • Zero is Unethical
    • First Report on Zero Survey
    • There is No Objectivity, Deal With it!
  • THEMES
    • Psychosocial Safety
    • Resiliencing
    • Risk Myths
    • Safety Myths
    • Safety Culture Silences
    • Safety Culture
    • Psychological Health and Safety
    • Zero Harm
    • Due Diligence
  • Free Learning
    • Introduction to SPoR – Free
    • FREE RISK and SAFETY EBOOKS
    • FREE ebook – Guidance for the beginning OHS professional
    • Free EBook – Effective Safety Management Systems
    • Free EBook – Lessons I Have Learnt
  • Psychosocial Safety
    • What is Psychosocial Safety
    • Psychological Safety
      • What is Psychological Health and Safety at Work?
      • Managing psychosocial hazards at work
      • Psychological Safety – has it become the next Maslow’s hammer?
      • What is Psychosocial Safety
      • Psychological Safety Slogans and Quotes
      • What is Psychological Safety?
      • Understanding Psychological Terminology
      • Psycho-Social and Socio-Psychological, What’s the Difference?
      • Build a Psychologically Safe Workplace by Taking Risks and Analysing Failures
      • It’s not weird – it’s a psychological safety initiative!
You are here: Home / Covid-19 / Safety and Non-Neuroscience

Safety and Non-Neuroscience

August 4, 2022 by Dr Rob Long 5 Comments

Construction Working IndustryOne thing you can be sure of, if Safety jumps out of its field of expertise in objects into anything to do with humans, it stuffs it up. This is no more pronounced in some of the material floating about in safety at the moment on Neuroscience. It’s amazing how Safety makes one qualified in Epidemiology, Neuroscience and Jurisprudence. Hmmm, I want to learn about Covid-19, let’s ask a safety engineer?

There’s nothing more fraudulent and unethical than the safety industry masquerading as what it is not. But hey why worry about ethics, just check your gut (https://safetyrisk.net/the-aihs-bok-and-ethics-check-your-gut/ ).

First, let’s get a few Neuroscience fundamentals out of the way:

  • Neuroscience is NOT the study of the brain and the human brain is nothing like a computer.
  • Human brains are not ‘programmable’ and any language about such simply demonstrates that the speaker has no expertise in Neuroscience and is a behaviourist.
  • As much as Safety would like to turn Neuroscience into behaviourism, such language completely manipulates what the human nervous system is about – a nervous system.
  • Neuroscientists most often study the embodied human as a ‘mind’.
  • The nervous system is complemented by the endocrine system and immune systems, all working independently and embodied.
  • The brain doesn’t ‘control’ the nervous system, at best it functions as an organ that hosts conversations between these three independent systems.
  • Anyone who uses the language of the ‘subconscious’ has no idea of the history, development or knowledge about unconsciousness.
  • Human decision making is not ‘made in the brain’, human decision making is embodied and many aspects of automaticity don’t involve the brain.
  • The concept of ‘inattention’ is simplistic nonsense for how fallible humans embody the following: cognitive biases, social biases, emotions, feelings, heuristics, habits, intuitions, implicit knowledge and experiential learning.
  • Safety might like to turn Neuroscience into some simplistic behaviourist sausage, the human unconscious is a wicked problem.
  • Yes, there are reasons why people do what they do, but don’t go seeking answers from Safety.
  • Any talk of zero associated with Neuroscience is an indictment of the speaker. No one with any expertise in Neuroscience would entertain for one second that human decision making and zero were compatible.

How strange this safety industry that seeks expertise it doesn’t have within its own enclave? I wonder when Safety might seek a Transdisciplinary approach to knowledge rather than this constant tirade of ‘Safety knows all’. I know let’s find out about Jurisprudence, lets ask a safety engineer?

Let’s actually consult some experts in Neuroscience and see what they say, hey we wouldn’t want to let a little bit of academia get in the way of a good safety theory would we:

  • Claxton, G., (2015) Intelligence in the Flesh. Yale University Press. New York.
  • Colombetti, G., The Feeling Body, Affective Science Meets the Enactive Mind. MIT Press, London.
  • Damasio, A., (1994) Descartes’ Error, Emotion, Reason, and The Human Brian. Penguin, New York.
  • Damasio, A., (1999) The Feeling of What happens, Body and Emotions in the Making of Consciousness. Harvest Books, New York.
  • Durt, C., Fuchs, T., and Tews, C., (eds.) (1997) Embodiment, Enaction, and Culture. MIT Press. London.
  • Fuchs, T., (2018) Ecology of the Brain, The Phenomenology and Biology of the Embodied Mind. Oxford University Press. London.
  • Ginot, E., (2015) The Neurophsychology of the Unconscious, Integrating Brain and Mind in Psychotherapy. Nortons. New York.
  • Noe, A., (2009) Out of Our Heads, Why You Are Not Your Brian and Other Lessons from The Biology of Consciousness. Hill and Wang. New York.
  • Panksepp, J., (1998) Affective Neuroscience, The Foundations of Human Animal Emotions. Oxford University Press. London.
  • Thompson, E., (2010) Mind in Life, Biology, Phenomenology, and the Science of the Mind. Belknap Press. London.
  • Tversky, B., (2019) Mind in Motion, How Action Shapes Thoughts. Basic Books. New York.
  • Van Der Kolk, B., (2015) The Body Keeps the Score, Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Penguin, New York.
  • Varela, F., Thompson, E ., and Rosch, E., (1993) The Embodied Mind, Cognitve Science and Human Experience. MIT Press, London.

Of course, these are just a start if one wants to know a little bit about Neuroscience but you won’t find any of these texts in the OHS curriculum, OHS Conference speeches or Body of Knowledge. If you actually consult the Neuroscience expertise it contradicts all of what is being peddled about in safety on Neuroscience.

  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
  • More about Rob
Dr Rob Long

Dr Rob Long

Expert in Social Psychology, Principal & Trainer at Human Dymensions
Dr Rob Long

Latest posts by Dr Rob Long (see all)

  • Tolerance - December 5, 2023
  • Lies, Shortcuts and Lessons from Armstrong - December 4, 2023
  • Real Risk, An New Icon for SafetyRisk and Competition - December 4, 2023
  • Understanding Human ‘Being’ The Foundation for Understanding Human Error - December 4, 2023
  • The Behaviourist Human and Human Being - December 2, 2023
Dr Rob Long
PhD., MEd., MOH., BEd., BTh., Dip T., Dip Min., Cert IV TAA, MRMIA Rob is the founder of Human Dymensions and has extensive experience, qualifications and expertise across a range of sectors including government, education, corporate, industry and community sectors over 30 years. Rob has worked at all levels of the education and training sector including serving on various post graduate executive, post graduate supervision, post graduate course design and implementation programs.

Please share our posts

  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Covid-19, Robert Long, Social Psychology of Risk Tagged With: epidemiology, jurisprudence, neuroscience, transdisciplinarity

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. bernardcorden says

    June 25, 2020 at 4:57 PM

    As soon as I see the post nominals such as ChOHSP or COHSProf I smell bullshit

    Reply
  2. John Culvenor says

    June 25, 2020 at 2:51 PM

    Worse. Mutton is too close. Woodchips dressed up as lamb? Dirt dressed up as lamb? Poison dressed up as lamb? I favor the last one, because the safety meal served by many is not just lacking nutrition but is more likely harmful compared to no food at all.

    Reply
    • Rob Long says

      June 25, 2020 at 2:57 PM

      Well stated John, and a dangerous meal at that. Yet endorsed by peak bodies and devoured like lollies.

      Reply
  3. John Culvenor says

    June 25, 2020 at 2:00 PM

    Rob, I think you might be a BEANIE denier. https://safedesign.wordpress.com/2013/02/07/safety-implications-of-the-neuroscience-of-plasticity-and-the-work-athlete/

    Reply
    • Rob Long says

      June 25, 2020 at 2:44 PM

      Ha, so funny John. The trouble is Safety thinks it isn’t and plenty of money to be made packaging behaviourism as mutton dressed up as lamb.

      Reply

Do you have any thoughts? Please share them belowCancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Search and Discover More on this Site

Never miss a post - Subscribe via Email

Enter your email address and join other discerning risk and safety people who receive notifications of new posts by email

Join 7,520 other subscribers.

FREE eBOOK DOWNLOADS

Recent Comments

  • Matthew Thorne on Safety You Can Drink
  • Rob Long on Safety You Can Drink
  • Frank Garrett on Practical and Positive Methods to Tackle Risk – Free Workshop
  • Admin on The Behaviourist Human and Human Being
  • Matt Thorne on Understanding Human ‘Being’ The Foundation for Understanding Human Error
  • Rob Long on Practical and Positive Methods to Tackle Risk – Free Workshop
  • Rob Long on The Behaviourist Human and Human Being
  • Rob Long on The Behaviourist Human and Human Being
  • rosa antonia carrillo on The Behaviourist Human and Human Being
  • rosa antonia carrillo on The Behaviourist Human and Human Being
  • Rob Long on Semiotic Methods to Help Tackle Risk
  • BRENT R CHARLTON on Semiotic Methods to Help Tackle Risk
  • Rob Long on Semiotic Methods to Help Tackle Risk
  • Jason Martell on Semiotic Methods to Help Tackle Risk
  • Rob Long on Critical Sources of Harm Ignored by Safety=Zero
  • simon p cassin on Critical Sources of Harm Ignored by Safety=Zero
  • Matt Thorne on Book Launch – SPoR and Semiotics, Methods to Tackle Risk
  • Rob Long on A Book to Help Get You Started on Cultural Improvement in Risk
  • Matt Thorne on Book Launch – SPoR and Semiotics, Methods to Tackle Risk
  • Peter Saaman on Book Launch – SPoR and Semiotics, Methods to Tackle Risk

RECOMMENDED READING

viral post – iso 45003 and what it cannot do

Introduction to SPOR – FREE!!

Psychosocial Safety and Mental Health Series

Don’t be Obsessed with Safety

A Guide to Psychosocial Safety Skills

Mindfulness is NOT Brain-fullness and other Psychosocial Myths

Have You Had a Drink of SafeTea?

If You Can’t Manage Fallibility, You’ll Never Tackle Psychosocial Health

Embodiment, Myth and Psychosocial Risk

7 Golden Rules that are NOT Golden

Why Zero Vision Can Never Tackle Mental Health

If Psychosocial Health Matters, Stop Hot Desking

Effective Strategies in Mental Health at Work

More Posts from this Category

NEW! Free Download

Please take our 2 minute zero survey

Footer

Top Posts & Pages. Sad that most are so dumb but this is what safety luves

  • Christmas Safety Messages, Toolbox Talks, Safety Moments and Slogans
  • Free Safety Moments and Toolbox Talk Examples, Tips and Resources
  • CATCHY and FUNNY SAFETY SLOGANS FOR THE WORKPLACE
  • Safety You Can Drink
  • FREE RISK ASSESSMENT FORMS, CHECKISTS, REGISTERS, TEMPLATES and APPS
  • BIGGEST COLLECTION of WORKPLACE HEALTH and SAFETY SLOGANS 2023
  • Christmas Safety Messages, Poems, Tips and Articles
  • Christmas Safety Poem
  • Free Risk Assessment Template in Excel Format
  • Practical and Positive Methods to Tackle Risk – Free Workshop

Recent Posts

  • Tolerance
  • Safety You Can Drink
  • Lies, Shortcuts and Lessons from Armstrong
  • Practical and Positive Methods to Tackle Risk – Free Workshop
  • Real Risk, An New Icon for SafetyRisk and Competition
  • Understanding Human ‘Being’ The Foundation for Understanding Human Error
  • The Behaviourist Human and Human Being
  • There is no Fast and Slow Thinking, Nor Quick Learning
  • Fragility, Resilience and AntiFragility in Risk
  • The Sponsors of Zero Are
  • Why Zero Cannot Understand the Basics of Safety – ALARP and Due Diligence
  • No Room for Ethics in a Zero ‘Mindset’
  • Zero Harm and the Fear of Failure
  • Semiotic Methods to Help Tackle Risk
  • Top 10 Simple Things You Can Do To Dramatically Improve Safety
  • SPoR and Semiotics, A Conversation – Free Download
  • The Traffic in Zero Only Goes One Way
  • Critical Sources of Harm Ignored by Safety=Zero
  • Zero and a Culture of Denial
  • Shaping Change to Zero
  • A Book to Help Get You Started on Cultural Improvement in Risk
  • Risk Intelligence and What to Do About It – A Video
  • Feel Good Safety and Un-Ethical Ego-Centrism
  • Book Launch – SPoR and Semiotics, Methods to Tackle Risk
  • When Zero Doesn’t Work, Don’t Change Anything
  • Having Meetings Without ‘Meeting’
  • Leaders in Safety are NOT Gurus
  • Method and Message Congruence in Risk
  • Guilt and Shame, The By-Products of Safety-Zero
  • Update on Zero Survey, Just believe!
  • Zero is NOT the Only Acceptable Number
  • Don’t be Obsessed with Safety
  • Zero Ideology as Maximum Offense, Zero Benefit
  • Embracing Risk–Video
  • Hey CEO? Does Zero Apply to You?
  • OHS Voices from the Resistance – Rosa Carrillo
  • A Guide to Psychosocial Safety Skills
  • A Guide to Tokenism in Ethics in Safety
  • The Questions You Ask in Safety are Showing?
  • Introduction to SPoR, SEEK and Culture
  • What is Safety? Video
  • Understanding Motivation is Essential to Understanding Risk
  • Semiotic and Poetic Literacy for Safety
  • Speak Up, but Don’t Tackle the Cause
  • KISS Safety in a VUCA World
  • OHS Voices From the Resistance – Book review
  • Wo-Men in Safety
  • SPoR Podcasts Back Up and Running
  • What is Semiotics? – Video
  • Finding Balance in SPoR

VIRAL POST!!! HOW TO QUIT THE SAFETY INDUSTRY

FEATURED POSTS

It Works! A New Approach to Risk and Safety

Sergeant Safety

Language Shapes Culture in Risk

Envisioning and Creativity in Safety

Innocence and Justice in Safety

Free Download – Real Risk – New Book by Dr Robert Long

Bad Moon Rising

Making Safety Better by Using Our Adaptive Toolbox

The Challenging Psychology of Ergonomics

Safety is NOT a Choice

Why Would You Talk That Way?

I DON’T KNOW

Don’t Let Evidence Get in the Way of Safety

Selective Harm for Rio Tinto

No Hope for Safety

Risk vs Hazard vs Safety

The Common Sense Fallacy

The Sickness of Safetyism

Counter Intuitive Safety

Don’t Hold the Hand Rail

The Religion of Safety

Desensitization, Statistics and the Psychic Numbing of Numerics

Turning Neuroscience into Behaviourism

Selective Safety and Well Being

People are not Rats–Moving Beyond Behaviour Based Safety

The Tension of Opposites and Binaries in Risk

Safety as a Worldview

Rituals in Risk Management – Podcast

SPoR Convention Canberra 18-21 September 2023

The Advisor as Skilled Helper

Dumbs for Safety

A Critique of Pure Reason

Safety – Just a Few Bad Apples

Why is Myth so Scary to Safety?

Six Tips to Improve Your Safety Conversations

What is Critical Listening when Dealing with Risk?

Stop the Train I Want to Get Off

Challenges and Opportunities for Learning in a Crisis

The Conundrum in Discerning Risk

Managing Risk Rather Than Striving for Absolute Safety

More Posts from this Category

VIRAL POST – The Risk Matrix Myth

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address and join other discerning risk and safety people who receive notifications of new posts by email

Join 7,520 other subscribers.

WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY?

What is Psychological Safety at Work?


WHAT IS PSYCHOSOCIAL SAFETY