The foundation for behaviourism is the myth of ‘in and out’. This simplistic discipline imagines that fallible humans respond to positive and negative reinforcement like computer-like objects. Behaviour then becomes the sum of inputs and outputs. Nothing could be further from the truth. All of this … [Read more...] about Behavioural Safety is NOT a Foundation for Tackling Psychosocial and Mental Health
BBS
Culture is NOT a Product nor a Construct
When culture is viewed through the lens of behaviourism and safety, it is asserted that culture is a ‘construct’ and ‘product’ (p.50). This is the assertion of Cooper in his chapter in Safety Cultures, Safety Models. When the lens is behaviourist safety, one can assert that risk is best tackled … [Read more...] about Culture is NOT a Product nor a Construct
Seven Ways To Tell If BBS Is Right For You
By Phil LaDuke. First published here As many of you know I rarely miss a chance to take a cheap shot at Behavior Based Safety so it might surprise you that I am writing an article that supports the use of BBS in some circumstances. There are indeed many circumstances where BBS isn’t just the … [Read more...] about Seven Ways To Tell If BBS Is Right For You
Tackling the Challenge of Heuristics in Safety
The recognition of heuristics as the foundation for all human decision making is critical to skill development and implementation of SPoR (https://safetyrisk.net/spor-and-disposing-of-bad-myths/) in the workplace. One of the silly myths of behaviourism in safety is the complete ignorance of … [Read more...] about Tackling the Challenge of Heuristics in Safety
Essentials in Observation and Safety
I visited a major construction site a few weeks ago. They did their best to impress us with their 4 hour induction, extremely comprehensive work method statements and permit systems, safety management plans, contractor management systems, pretty graphs, regular audit schedules, tool box talks etc … [Read more...] about Essentials in Observation and Safety
Understanding Safety Incentive Schemes, A Question of Balance
There is no doubt that the darling of the safety industry is Behaviourism. Just look at the language of traditional safety and so called ‘safety differently’ and it’s all about capacity, people as objects, performance, measurement. Metrics, numerics and outputs. Behaviourism is a 1930s worldview … [Read more...] about Understanding Safety Incentive Schemes, A Question of Balance
No Safety in Numbers
No Safety in Numbers I was asked to present recently to a group in the USA on the fixation/psychosis of Safety with numbers. I started with the title of this blog making two points: that you are no safer in a crowd/group, dispelling the myth ‘there is always safety in numbers’ and then spoke on the … [Read more...] about No Safety in Numbers
Looking Forward, Looking Back
This cute little song by Slim Dusty lays out the ultimate challenge for Risk and Safety. So much of what characterizes Safety is about looking backward. Counting data, LTIs, TRIFR and counting lead indicators (positive activity) all focus on the past as if these are an indicator of the future. Most … [Read more...] about Looking Forward, Looking Back
The Big Safety NON-Debate
The Big Safety NON-Debate I read with amusement some claim to a ‘big debate’ in safety between Safety 1 (S1) and Safety 2 (S2) in the pages of an IOSH Magazine (https://www.ioshmagazine.com/2020/09/09/big-debate-safety-differently). The Discourse in this article is fascinating for analysis . … [Read more...] about The Big Safety NON-Debate
The Certainty of Uncertainty
The Certainty of Uncertainty I have written recently on the nature of uncertainty (https://safetyrisk.net/radical-uncertainty/) and its relationship to risk. I have also written about a psychosis that accompanies the fear of uncertainty … [Read more...] about The Certainty of Uncertainty
