The Iconography of Safety Icons are powerful modes of communication and predate text and print. Danesi in The Semiotics of Emoji demonstrates that we are seeing a re-emergence of the power of icons in everyday communications. Indeed - SMS, emoticons, emojis and graphics/multimedia are changing the … [Read more...] about The Iconography of Safety
Semiotics
The Acts of God and Act of Humans
The Acts of God and Act of Humans We are told that injury, harm and suffering were once perceived as ‘acts of god’ but are now conceived as ‘acts of man’ (sic) or ‘acts of humans’. This is the new commonly accepted thesis branded as ‘the scientific view’. The idea that injury, harm and pain are … [Read more...] about The Acts of God and Act of Humans
No Evidence for the Religion of Zero
No Evidence for the Religion of Zero Vision Zero or Zero Vision? Religious studies demonstrate that in our post-science/post-text world the secular is becoming more religious and the religious is becoming more secular (Ostwalt, 2012, Secular Steeples, Popular Culture and the Religious Imagination … [Read more...] about No Evidence for the Religion of Zero
‘Man Up’ Safety
‘Man Up’ Safety I read some debate today between a man and woman online about who was the toughest. The opening bait started with a journalist stating he was showing up to work with 3 broken ribs and somehow this was to be admired, he stated he was ‘manning up’. Then a female journalist replied … [Read more...] about ‘Man Up’ Safety
In the World of Safety, Political Correctness Endangers Lives
In the World of Safety, Political Correctness Endangers Lives By Phil LaDuke – First published HERE on his blog https://philladuke.wordpress.com/ When I was a kid I worked with a man who was mentally retarded. He wasn’t “special”. He wasn’t “mentally challenged”. He wasn’t “alternatively … [Read more...] about In the World of Safety, Political Correctness Endangers Lives
Speaking a New Language in Safety
Speaking a New Language in Safety Dekker wisely recommends that Safety needs a new language (and discourse) for understanding and acting safety (Drift into Failure, pp. 15, 49, 53, 58, 123). He rightly asserts that the language (and grammar) of reductionist (seeking simple binary answers) thinking … [Read more...] about Speaking a New Language in Safety
Why Is The Hierarchy Of Control So Ineffective?
Why Is The Hierarchy Of Control So Ineffective Time to commit ‘Safety Sacrilege’! Where would Safety be without it’s Sexy Curves and Pyramids? See also: Risk and Safety Matrices and the Psychology of Colour For most, safety is about controlling hazards and the tool of choice is the Hierarchy of … [Read more...] about Why Is The Hierarchy Of Control So Ineffective?
First Semiotics Masterclass
First Semiotics Masterclass This week (19-21 April) was the first Master Class undertaken by the Centre for Leadership and Learning in Risk (CLLR - http://cllr.com.au/ ) and what an amazing time of learning was had by all 28 participants. Here we are on the steps of the Tuggeranong Community Centre … [Read more...] about First Semiotics Masterclass
Safety Icons and Communicating to the Unconscious
Safety Icons and Communicating to the Unconscious It is not surprising that many organisations who ‘profess’ an interest in people use objects as their icons in safety. With slogans that are about how much they ‘care about safety’ (not care about people), they chose icons of hard hats, cones, … [Read more...] about Safety Icons and Communicating to the Unconscious
Worlds Sexiest Safety Commercials – May offend!
Worlds Sexiest Safety Commercials – May offend! Sexy safety - its gonna get dirty! Ok – its the weekend again and time for some less serious safety stuff. As a public service, we have previously written a few articles about how sex and primal instinct can be used as an effective way to sell the … [Read more...] about Worlds Sexiest Safety Commercials – May offend!