I have written before about the economics of safety and the way neo-liberalism puts the poor and disadvantaged at greater risk of harm (https://safetyrisk.net/freedom-to-harm-the-gig-economy-and-zero/). When it comes to psychosocial well-being and mental health, disadvantage … [Read more...] about When We Can’t Afford Safety
hazards
Risk and Cultural Values
Cultural Values and Translation by Trade One of the most important things we discover in a study of culture is that other people are not like us. This is why it is so crazy to assume ‘common sense’, this is why it’s so misleading to even talk about ‘common sense’. The more we use this language the … [Read more...] about Risk and Cultural Values
Psychosocial Health Conversations – Three
With Narelle Stoll, Greg Smith, Dr Craig Ashhurst and Dr Robert Long In this third conversation on Psychosocial Health/Risk NOT ‘Hazards’ we tackle the subject of care, caring and Duty of Care. FIRST VIDEO: HERE SECOND VIDEO: HERE You can watch the video here: Psychosocial … [Read more...] about Psychosocial Health Conversations – Three
Incrementalism, Catastrophism and All That’s In-between
Dr Rob Long has posted many articles on the dangers of zero harm here. This is perhaps the heaviest argument he has ever written against zero – WARNING: Some traditional safety people may be offended or find themselves performing some complex mental gymnastics! Incrementalism, Catastrophism and … [Read more...] about Incrementalism, Catastrophism and All That’s In-between
The Enemy of Safety – Humans
Read the AIHS Promo here: AIHS promo In the good tradition of insane propositions from Safety sponsored by the Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS), we have the clanger for all seasons - Humans are a ‘hazard’. Just think critically about this proposition (which Safety never does) and … [Read more...] about The Enemy of Safety – Humans
Causation Concoctions
The AIHS Bok on Causation commences with the following: ‘If safety management is effective, then there should be an absence of accidents. Conversely, if accidents are occurring then effective safety management must be absent’ (p.1). The assumptions in these statements are of course not declared in … [Read more...] about Causation Concoctions
Process or Outcome?
Process or Outcome? Latest by Greg Smith on his blog: MY SAFETY THOUGHTS Today I was reading a LinkedIn post lamenting the state of health and safety management, evidenced by too many “safety stickers” on a piece of machinery. A commenter noted that the situation was “absolute madness“, which … [Read more...] about Process or Outcome?
The De-Ethicization of the Object in Safety
The De-Ethicization of the Object in Safety It’s obvious that objects attack people. When anything happens in an industry, the first response is to ban the object. That naughty object jumped out from nowhere and attacked me. So, it’s because objects attack people that we need to register as many … [Read more...] about The De-Ethicization of the Object in Safety
General Motors Stops Using Safety Metrics
GM Throws Out the Safety Metrics An interesting article below by EHS Today on some big statements made by GM's Senior Manager for Health and Safety that they are to begin “throwing out the safety metrics”. You will see that their focus is still on counting, measuring and controlling hazards - only … [Read more...] about General Motors Stops Using Safety Metrics
What is Your Risk iCue?
What is Your Risk iCue? When we think of the concept of intelligence we often think of a person’s IQ. The idea of an Intelligence Quotient is not reliable and only tests certain selected forms of literacy constrained by cultural biases. For example: the early settlers in Australia deemed that the … [Read more...] about What is Your Risk iCue?