Safety Doesn’t Need Military Language One of my favourite books on learning is by Donald N. Michael ‘Learning to Plan and Planning to Learn’. Michaels is one of the great education philosophers up there with the likes of Parker J. Palmer, Buber, Ellul, Claxton, Robinson, Maclaren, Illich and … [Read more...] about Safety Doesn’t Need Military Language
Semiotics
Risk Homeostasis Presentation
Risk Homeostasis Presentation VIDEO With much trepidation I have decided to put it out there…….. my presentation on Risk Homeostasis for Unit 1 of Graduate Certificate in Social Psychology. The video was recorded and edited brilliantly by Rick Long (more of his work here) See it here: Dave Collins … [Read more...] about Risk Homeostasis Presentation
Semiotic Matters and Semiotic Influence in Safety
Evidence shows that we can be influenced profoundly by the smallest of things and all of this happens unconsciously (Colourful price tags at Australian chemists may trick shoppers into buying full-price items) People in marketing and advertising know this yet, not Safety. The images, graphics and … [Read more...] about Semiotic Matters and Semiotic Influence in Safety
When Semiotics Show Your Real Agenda in Safety
I remember having a discussion with a safety person who’s semiotic for their identity was a punching fist on a brick wall. Of course, the person was defensive when I deconstructed the semiotic and pointed out that it was inconsistent with the intended message. Even though the person had no expertise … [Read more...] about When Semiotics Show Your Real Agenda in Safety
Experiential Learning for Safety and Risk
Experiential Learning for Safety and Risk Wikipedia describes Experiential learning as: the process of learning through experience, and is more specifically defined as "learning through reflection on doing" You will see this classic quote many times throughout this blog: “How can I … [Read more...] about Experiential Learning for Safety and Risk
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
Risk and Safety Rituals
Risk and Safety Rituals Rituals are the foundation of cultural belonging and identity. You can’t really understand or influence culture without a good grasp of rituals and artefacts. The idea that behaviours (‘what we do around here’) define culture is one of the grand delusions of simplistic … [Read more...] about Risk and Safety Rituals
Santa, Myths and Regulators.
Santa, Myths and Regulators. I was at a building site yesterday and up pulled a ute full of cases of beer, gifts for loyal and faithful service. A few weeks ago the same company hired a cruise boat for a Christmas party complete with endless alcohol and strippers as a way of saying thanks to the … [Read more...] about Santa, Myths and Regulators.
Culture and Subculture, Which is Safety?
Culture and Subculture, Which is Safety? The SIA BoK chapter on Organisational Culture came out this week. I read with interest that there was no intentional discussion of subcultures in the paper. Of course with so much sunk cost the club will surround the wagons and defend, that’s what it does. … [Read more...] about Culture and Subculture, Which is Safety?
A Conference with a Difference
A Conference with a Difference The Inaugural Psychology of Risk Conference was held in Sydney on 25,26 March 2015 and was a great success. People from New Zealand, Hong Kong and Australia came together at ACU in North Sydney to hear how the social psychology of risk can be applied at work. The … [Read more...] about A Conference with a Difference