One of the challenges for the safety industry is the myth of objectivity and the seduction of order and control. When one holds a thirst for power (through engineering and behaviourism) the last thing one wants to be told is that some things are ‘wicked’ … [Read more...] about Cultural Orientation in Risk
behaviourism
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
Ego First, Safety Second.
Ego Is Not a Dirty Word was the second studio album released by Australian pop rock band, Skyhooks, in July 1975. The lyrics of Skyhooks state (watch video below): If I did not have an ego, I would not be here tonight If I did not have an ego, I might not think that I was right If you did … [Read more...] about Ego First, Safety Second.
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
Safety Starts with Us
When you don’t get language and discourse, don’t understand linguistics (https://safetyrisk.net/culture-silences-in-safety-linguistics/ ) or semiotics or, culture (https://safetyrisk.net/category/safety-culture-silences/ ), videos like this make sense … [Read more...] about Safety Starts with Us
What is the Human Body for in Safety?
What is the Human Body for in Safety? The body-mind problem (https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/mind-body-problem ) ought to be a concern for anyone interested in how organisations tackle risk. The first thing to note is that whilst Safety is concerned about the body and how it gets … [Read more...] about What is the Human Body for in Safety?
Practice, Repetition, Habit, Routine, Ritual and Decision Making in Risk
Practice, Repetition, Habit, Routine, Ritual and Decision Making in Risk Most decisions made by people are unconscious. The idea that decision making is brain activity between individuals is simply not supported by the evidence (https://neurosciencenews.com/collective-intelligence-19512/ ). We know … [Read more...] about Practice, Repetition, Habit, Routine, Ritual and Decision Making in Risk
Bow-Tie BS
Bow-Tie BS The Bow-Tie has been celebrated for years in risk and safety as if it is a good model for risk analysis. Nothing could be further from reality. I couldn’t think of a worse model for understanding risk, causality or the emergence of events. The BowTie was developed out of the chemistry … [Read more...] about Bow-Tie BS
How Workers Really Make Decisions
How Workers Really Make Decisions Latest video by Dr Rob Long as a follow up to his previous article: How Do Workers Make Decisions? Video Transcript (video below this): I’m asked many, many times this question: “how do workers make decisions?” And, I decided I'll answer that with a brief video. … [Read more...] about How Workers Really Make Decisions
Right Then Children, Sit Up Straight and Take Some Safety
Right Then Children, Sit Up Straight and Take Some Safety I had a friend send a documented toolbox talk this week that was delivered to a site team in a tier 1 civil construction company and it was embarrassing. Why do teams of grown adults put up with such childish, kindergarten, patronizing … [Read more...] about Right Then Children, Sit Up Straight and Take Some Safety
