One of the principles of Wicked Problems is that any attempt to ‘fix’ such a problem usually makes things worse. Indeed, taking an accepted ‘problem solving’ approach to a wicked problem is not just futile but dangerous. Rittel and Weber identified ten primary characteristics of wicked … [Read more...] about The Worst Approach to Psychosocial Problems is an Attitude of ‘Fixing’
Psychological Safety
Welcome to the Nightmare, Safety Creates its Own Minefield (as usual)
Well, you have to hand it to the zero industry. Going into the abyss in a tissue box armed with a Cert 4 OHS. And what is this minefield? ISO 45003:2021 OHS Safety Management – Psychosocial Health and Safety at Work – Guidelines for Managing Psychosocial Risks. Only the industry of zero, metrics, … [Read more...] about Welcome to the Nightmare, Safety Creates its Own Minefield (as usual)
No Good Reason to Follow Reason
Whenever Safety puts conditionality on culture is no longer talks about Culture but rather the adjective that qualifies thinking about culture. We see this with the work of Reason who applied 5 adjectives to define a culture of safety. These are: ‘reporting’, ‘informed’, ‘learning’, ‘just’ and … [Read more...] about No Good Reason to Follow Reason
The Moral Harm of the Zero Cult
Whenever we hear the slogan of ‘zero harm’, we know that it is selective. There is never any discussion in the zero-harm cult about ‘moral harm’ or ‘psychological harm’. Out of sight out of Mind. Whenever Safety focuses on the silly idea that the presence of injury represents safety … [Read more...] about The Moral Harm of the Zero Cult
Toxic Positivity in Safety Doesn’t Help Anyone
Image Source There is much to be said for having a positive attitude to things but there is no great value in being naïve or maintaining a delusion. It’s all about striking a balance and this is what we do in SPoR. The purpose of criticism and deconstruction in SPoR is to improve something and … [Read more...] about Toxic Positivity in Safety Doesn’t Help Anyone
Don’t Be Emotional! Another Safety Myth
As our society (and safety industry) continues to suffer under the burden of Scientism (Positivism), we still here this terrible accusation ‘don’t be emotional’. More so, even most awfully directed at women. This kind of language promotes ignorance from assumptions about personhood developed 300 … [Read more...] about Don’t Be Emotional! Another Safety Myth
SAFETY IS A MYTH, LONG LIVE SAFETY
In the recent days since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, much has been said regarding this. A particular post on Facebook from Australia journalist Van Badham particularly took my eye. The third point is particularly poignant to safety. Safety invests in its symbols with a different meaning … [Read more...] about SAFETY IS A MYTH, LONG LIVE SAFETY
Mental Health and the Safety Habitus
Mental Health and the Safety Habitus How is the safety industry equipped to tackle the challenges of mental health? What assumptions about personhood and ‘mind’ dominate the safety sector? Do these assumptions help or hinder an holistic approach to tackling mental health at work? These questions … [Read more...] about Mental Health and the Safety Habitus
Psychosocial Controls and Measures for Who?
The fixation and psychosis of the safety industry with ‘controls’ and ‘measures’ creates the delusion that psychosocial issues can be controlled and measured. When it comes to psychosocial issues, the last thing that helps is quantitative language and simplistic mythology. And the latest Worksafe … [Read more...] about Psychosocial Controls and Measures for Who?
Understanding The Social Psychology of Risk And Safety
Understanding The Social Psychology of Risk And Safety The article is a bit longer than usual and if you would prefer to download a copy for future reference then you can DOWNLOAD HERE: Understanding-the-Social-psychology-of-Risk-and-Safety.docx In response to a number of emails I have … [Read more...] about Understanding The Social Psychology of Risk And Safety