Goals and Vision in Safety Safety is the industry of lower order goals (see Figure 1. Goal States). Safety functions under the false slogan ‘you can’t manage what you can’t measure’. It chooses to ignore a much better aphorism and that is: ‘you can’t count what counts’. We have known for a long … [Read more...] about Goals and Vision in Safety
measurement
Quantifying the Unquantifiable
In every workshop I conduct the issue of measures, a STEM view of evidence and ‘controls’ are always raised. This week was no exception. I find it so amusing that the industry has this fixation with measures in working life and the opposite in our private life. Yet: The most important things in … [Read more...] about Quantifying the Unquantifiable
What and how should we measure to support recovery from injury?
What and how should we measure to support recovery from injury? “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted”[1] Albert Einstein (attributed) Some years ago, tired of my irritating enquiries about the quality of their school day, my teenage sons … [Read more...] about What and how should we measure to support recovery from injury?
Measuring and Reporting on Work Health & Safety
Greg, the author of this article (first published here), certainly does upset some safety people on Linkedin! He makes an excellent point here – you may get 97%, a big tick or a star for having a plethora of JHAs (or SWMS, JSAs, SOPs etc), another for them being extremely comprehensive and a few … [Read more...] about Measuring and Reporting on Work Health & Safety
Why Would You Talk That Way?
Why Would You Talk That Way? Postman’s classic book ‘Crazy talk, Stupid Talk’ (1976) discusses the power of semantic environments. That is, the context in which we talk. For example, the words ‘sorry I have sinned’ may make sense in a confessional but don’t make much sense in a court room. … [Read more...] about Why Would You Talk That Way?
Saying What Is REALLY Important Matters
Part 1 - What Does Counting Injuries as a Measure of Our Safety Process do to Our Risk Communication? By Alan Quilley and first published HERE There’s a long tradition in thinking (by some) that measuring safety is best done by measuring the lack of injury. If you’ve read ANY of my books, … [Read more...] about Saying What Is REALLY Important Matters
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
How To Do a Risk Assessment
How To Do a Risk Assessment Download Free Risk Assessment Templates from our huge collection here: RISK ASSESSMENT TEMPLATES Risk Assessment In any job or workplace, certain risks exist. For some jobs, the risks are minimal, like carpal tunnel in office work, however, in other jobs, the … [Read more...] about How To Do a Risk Assessment