‘Whenever Safety is used as an adjective whatever follows is moronic’ - Dr Rob Long In his book “Drift Into Failure”, the attention Sidney Dekker gives to the importance of language is critical as he states: ‘What we need is a language that can help us get to a more functional account … whose … [Read more...] about Doing Away With Health and Safety–Language and People
language
Linguistics, Language and Meaning in Risk
Linguistics, Language and Meaning in Risk When we study Linguistics in SPoR (https://cllr.com.au/product/linguistics-flyer-unit-21/ ) we look at language, the acquisition of language and the purpose of language. Language is the bedrock of culture in all its forms: spoken, written, unwritten, … [Read more...] about Linguistics, Language and Meaning in Risk
The Linguistics of Zero
The Linguistics of Zero Linguistics is about the study of language and is inseparable from all we say, write and communicate. In linguistics we analyse; the form, method, social context, politic, culture and meaning of language. Language is not written or spoken objectively, neither is language … [Read more...] about The Linguistics of Zero
Safety is about…
Why the way we talk about safety in an organisation matters. Does getting home at the end of the work day mean that we were safe that day? Here's my 7 ½ minutes on why the way we talk about safety at work matters so much. … [Read more...] about Safety is about…
Making Language in Safety Meaningful
Making Language in Safety Meaningful Kakutani (The Death of Truth) helps us understand the power of confusion and doubt with the strategy of ‘fake news’ in the common era (https://www.amazon.com/Death-Truth-Notes-Falsehood-Trump/dp/0525574824 ). This was captured splendidly in the documentary … [Read more...] about Making Language in Safety Meaningful
Until Nothing Changes in Safety
Until Nothing Changes in Safety The industry of safety becomes more and more fixed in its current trajectory through its linguistic practices, semiotic meanings and social reproduction. What does this mean? Humans are the sum of their social relationships and the language that is used to … [Read more...] about Until Nothing Changes in Safety
A Better Language for Risk and Safety
A Better Language for Risk and Safety Dekker (Safety Differently, 2015, p. vi-xi) calls for a new language in risk and safety and he is so right. We know that language is the bedrock of all culture and that the way we speak shapes the way we organize. Weick (The Social Psychology of Organising, … [Read more...] about A Better Language for Risk and Safety
In the World of Safety, Political Correctness Endangers Lives
In the World of Safety, Political Correctness Endangers Lives By Phil LaDuke – First published HERE on his blog https://philladuke.wordpress.com/ When I was a kid I worked with a man who was mentally retarded. He wasn’t “special”. He wasn’t “mentally challenged”. He wasn’t “alternatively … [Read more...] about In the World of Safety, Political Correctness Endangers Lives
Speaking a New Language in Safety
Speaking a New Language in Safety Dekker wisely recommends that Safety needs a new language (and discourse) for understanding and acting safety (Drift into Failure, pp. 15, 49, 53, 58, 123). He rightly asserts that the language (and grammar) of reductionist (seeking simple binary answers) thinking … [Read more...] about Speaking a New Language in Safety
Say Something that Makes Sense
This is definitely one for Safety People who like to think! Say Something that Makes Sense When Francis Fukuyama was asked what he thought was the most dangerous idea in the world he responded, ‘transhumanism’. Transhumanism is the quest to liberate humans from their biological constraints (eg. … [Read more...] about Say Something that Makes Sense
