Review of the Robert Long book Risk Makes Sense by George Robotham See more details about the book HERE In my view this book is a substantial addition to the body of knowledge about Risk and OHS. Written from a psychological perspective it puts into print many of the things I have figured out for … [Read more...] about “Risk Makes Sense” Book Review
safety culture
More Bricks and Mortar for the Amphitheatre of Denial
Dr Long’s New book “REAL RISK – Human Discerning and Risk” is packed with interesting little stories and anecdotes, we published one the other day The South Korean Fan Death Mystery and it was a big hit. Another I enjoyed was this one about the Star Amphitheatre in Balmoral Sydney. It was built, at … [Read more...] about More Bricks and Mortar for the Amphitheatre of Denial
The Problem with Zero Harm
The Problem with Zero Harm This short video discusses one of the many arguments against the zero harm concept, zero language and discourse. The language of zero as an absolute and the framing of risk and safety in perfectionism is deeply problematic for establishing a culture of openness, … [Read more...] about The Problem with Zero Harm
Risk Culture and Cultural Risk
Risk Culture and Cultural Risk When the risk and safety industry defines culture it doesn’t consider critical aspects of culture. The most common definition is that culture is ‘what we do around here’ which fits in nicely with the behaviourist-cognitivist worldview that dominates the sector. So … [Read more...] about Risk Culture and Cultural Risk
A Comparison of Safety Paradigms
A paradigm is a distinct set of concept and thinking that result in distinct practices. In recent times it has occurred to coroners at inquests, auditors and government that poor safety culture has a central role in normalising unsafe practice. Inspectors and auditors are now ever mindful that … [Read more...] about A Comparison of Safety Paradigms
Think Outside The Safety Suggestion Box
Think Outside The Safety Suggestion Box Overnight I had someone email me asking for a suitable sign to put on their safety suggestion box to encourage employees to contribute to their new initiative. My immediate response, sent without much thought and whilst still half asleep was “with respect, … [Read more...] about Think Outside The Safety Suggestion Box
How to improve Safety culture
How to Improve Safety culture Article by the late George Robotham A good safety culture is an elusive thing those responsible for safety management systems struggle to achieve. Culture is often defined as “The way we do things around here”. Schein (1990) defines organisational culture as the … [Read more...] about How to improve Safety culture
The Banned Objects Index – A New Development in Safety Culture
The Banned Objects Index – A New Development in Safety Culture See also: Measuring Does Things To People Have you heard of the ‘Banned Objects Index’ (BOI)? It is the latest ‘measure’ that you can use to compare your organisations safety culture against another. The ‘BOI’ is easy to calculate, … [Read more...] about The Banned Objects Index – A New Development in Safety Culture
Building High Performance Safety Cultures
Building High Performance Safety Cultures (More than ‘the way we do things around here’) What is a Safety Culture? First published here: http://safetyma.myob.net/news/building-high-performance-safety-cultures/162354 If you ask most business leaders to describe their company’s safety culture, … [Read more...] about Building High Performance Safety Cultures
A Culture of Care (and sackings…)
Sighhhh.......every time I publish one of these true stories I am inundated with private emails from people telling similar stories and their disdain for these aspects of safety - but they fear speaking up about it. Rebelling against the ridiculous and harmful side of safety is interpreted by the … [Read more...] about A Culture of Care (and sackings…)
