The Yo-Yo Delusion and Conversations About Risk When we were kids we used to love the yo-yo craze. It was a time when a particular soft drink company got plenty of free promotion and yo-yo champions dazzled everyone. To view a recent yo-yo champion see here … [Read more...] about The Yo-Yo Delusion and Conversations About Risk
safety communication
How To Write a Safety Report
How To Write a Safety Report OHS professionals write many reports, read many reports and ask others to prepare reports for them. A major sin is long rambling reports that do not get to the point quickly and succinctly! Prepare succinct reports yourself and make it clear that your expectation is that … [Read more...] about How To Write a Safety Report
Essentials in Observation and Safety
I visited a major construction site a few weeks ago. They did their best to impress us with their 4 hour induction, extremely comprehensive work method statements and permit systems, safety management plans, contractor management systems, pretty graphs, regular audit schedules, tool box talks etc … [Read more...] about Essentials in Observation and Safety
The Art of Humble Inquiry as a Pathway to Safety Improvement
The message here is so simple yet contradicts orthodox and contemporary safety education, training and practice: “telling is more risky than asking”, "We see ‘asking’ as a ‘weakness’ or being ‘ignorant’ so we avoid it" The Art of Humble Inquiry as a Pathway to Safety Improvement I was chatting with … [Read more...] about The Art of Humble Inquiry as a Pathway to Safety Improvement
Six Tips to Improve Your Safety Conversations
Six Tips to Improve Your Safety Conversations Whilst discussion and conversation is well intentioned it is also important to ensure that our discourse promotes effective culture. I was in a mine recently when I saw a document posted on the walls entitled ‘Six Tips to Improve Your Safety … [Read more...] about Six Tips to Improve Your Safety Conversations
It’s Only Words and Words are all I Have
by Dr Robert Long – I highly recommend his book: For The Love of Zero This is the start of the last line to the famous number one hit ‘Words’ by the Bee Gees, but the line has an important message (another Bee Gees song) for safety people. I have read recently on many discussion groups the comment … [Read more...] about It’s Only Words and Words are all I Have
The Priming of ‘Can Do’ and the Language of Influence
The Priming of ‘Can Do’ and the Language of Influence You should also read the whole series by Rob: CLICK HERE. I highly recommend you check out Rob’s book “RISK MAKES SENSE” To some it may seem anti-Australian to criticize populist language such as ‘can-do’. Such language recently helped get … [Read more...] about The Priming of ‘Can Do’ and the Language of Influence
Safety Communications
Another article by the late George Robotham. You can find more of his work at here: SAFETY REFLECTIONS George’s Safety Reflections - Number 7 Safety communications There is not much point having an excellent safety message if you cannot get it across to the stakeholders. Communications failure is a … [Read more...] about Safety Communications
Safety Engagement with Workspace, Headspace and Groupspace
So much of what we do in safety takes its focus on workspace. We call this the physical or ‘primary’ dimension of safety. This is easy to administer and regulate because what is required is visible and accountable through checklists matched to regulations. Most safety walks and observations are … [Read more...] about Safety Engagement with Workspace, Headspace and Groupspace
They’re Only Words….. Aren’t They?
They’re Only Words….. Aren’t They? Republished by request - Check out the new book by Rob Sams “Words provide a voice to our deepest feelings. I tell you, words have started and stopped wars. Words have built and lost fortunes. Words have saved and taken lives. Words have won and lost great … [Read more...] about They’re Only Words….. Aren’t They?
