One of the bizarre myths of the safety industry is that it is a discipline of measurement and science. We even have the use of language like ‘safety science’ when there is nothing scientific about it. The reality is, most of what is paraded about by Safety are not about measurement but semiotics, … [Read more...] about What Does Safety Measure? Nothing!
Safety Statistics
You Spell the Devil L-T-I and God P-P-E
This story by Dr Long would seem totally ludicrous if it weren’t true! We hear these stories every day yet those with the most to gain and the ability to change it are the only ones in fear and denial. I wrote previously about The Safety Revolution or the “Tipping Point” coming but in the context of … [Read more...] about You Spell the Devil L-T-I and God P-P-E
Risk, Safety and Fundamental Attribution Error
Risk, Safety and Fundamental Attribution Error What do they say about damn lies and statistics? Well, maybe safety hasn’t heard about that one, nor it seems has the CFMEU or ACT Regulator. Recently the Secretary of the CFMEU trotted out yet again the statistic that the ACT Building and Construction … [Read more...] about Risk, Safety and Fundamental Attribution Error
Sexy Curves and the Paradox of Risk
Sexy Curves and the Paradox of Risk Rob’s new Book: “Following-Leading in Risk” is a MUST READ if you think you already know about Leadership. CHECK IT OUT One of the modern myths of mechanistic safety is that injury rates have been coming down for the last 100 years. Presenters love to parade the … [Read more...] about Sexy Curves and the Paradox of Risk
Jerry won the safety award (but he didn’t do anything!)
Jerry won the safety award (but he didn’t do anything!) I was at a family gathering recently and got talking to Jerry who I hadn’t spoken with for a while. We chatted about our work and he asked whether I was still in ‘safety’. I said no, that’s not what I do anymore: (I’m Not that into Safety … [Read more...] about Jerry won the safety award (but he didn’t do anything!)
Safety Performance and Measurement
11 minutes on why I think trying to measure safety performance typically ends up creating far more negative trade-offs than positive. … [Read more...] about Safety Performance and Measurement
Mining Tragedies – What Could be the Response?
Queensland Mining Tragedies – What Could be the Response? We learned recently that Queensland Mining has its worst rate of fatalities in 20 years in 2014-15. (http://www.internationalcoalnews.com/storyview.asp?storyID=826953720§ion=News§ionsource=s46&aspdsc=yes). Yes, this is … [Read more...] about Mining Tragedies – What Could be the Response?
TRIFR Safety Zombies
TRIFR Safety Zombies The surge in interest in the zombie phenomena (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie) across media, social media, movies and literature is extensive. The zombie apocalypse (societal breakdown) projects a widespread (usually global) rise of zombies hostile to human life that … [Read more...] about TRIFR Safety Zombies
Injury Rates and the Danger of Eating Sultanas
Injury Rates and the Danger of Eating Sultanas We read recently of the rise in car crashes In Australia caused by eating sultanas. Of course you have to laugh because this is the same binary logic that dominates the safety industry as a reality, driven by Zero. Tim Minchin also captures this error … [Read more...] about Injury Rates and the Danger of Eating Sultanas
The Tyranny of Metrics
The Tyranny of Metrics This is the title of a very easy to read book on the obsession of metrics by Jerry Z. Muller. It should be mandatory reading for anyone in the safety industry. 'The challenges of ‘tick and flick’ in the culture of safety is endemic. We know from the research by Herbert Simon … [Read more...] about The Tyranny of Metrics