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
BBS
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
What is Psychosocial Safety
What is Psychosocial Safety? Psychosocial safety is really not a new concept but has been around industry for some time. The beginnings of psychosocial safety are usually linked to Herbert W. Heinrich an insurance investigator in the 1930s and 1940s. Interest in psychosocial safety as a discipline … [Read more...] about What is Psychosocial Safety
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
Non-Conscious Safety
Non-Conscious Safety No-one in safety seems to show much interest in the nature of consciousness or about the unconscious. One thing is for sure, trying to locate the unconscious or consciousness in the brain is a lost cause. The brain-as-computer metaphor doesn’t serve us well in understanding … [Read more...] about Non-Conscious Safety
Science and Acts of Faith in Safety
Science and Acts of Faith in Safety The language of scientific ‘proofs’ is the language of positivism, behaviourism and empiricism. Such a language often gives away a discourse of control, power and security in the face of uncertainty. It is one thing to seek knowledge ‘scientifically’ and … [Read more...] about Science and Acts of Faith in Safety
