Safety as Policing One of the principle factors recognized by the World Congress on Safety 2017 was the problem of ‘safety as policing’. The Congress recognized that the strategy of ‘policing’ doesn’t work and is ineffective (p.10). It states: ‘The OHS Professional’s role should be … [Read more...] about Safety as Policing
safety culture
Safety Culture does Exist
Safety Culture does Exist The safety industry was created by Acts of Parliament across Australia in the 1980s. In a very short time a safety industry developed with invested power and a range of characteristics that clearly demonstrate that the safety industry has a culture. Indeed, it would seem … [Read more...] about Safety Culture does Exist
Safety culture – it doesn’t exist
I just came across this article on the Industrial Safety and Hygiene News (ISHN) website (which surprised me given the traditional safety stuff you normally read there!) and I thought it was well worth sharing as it provides a more realistic view on safety culture than perhaps you have read … [Read more...] about Safety culture – it doesn’t exist
A Formula for Safety Culture Failure and Success
Having many times, recently, been asked to define culture and risk, I figured all I need to do is to refer people to this cracker from the archives: A Formula for Safety Culture Failure and Success I find it fascinating to read many uses of the word ‘culture’ and ‘risk’ that have no complementary … [Read more...] about A Formula for Safety Culture Failure and Success
You Should Actively Encourage Poor Safety in the Workplace
I was asked recently for something different that could be done for a safety awareness session. I referred the person to this article from about 5 years ago - they tried it and apparently it worked brilliantly! What do you reckon? When it was first published many years ago (I cringe at some of … [Read more...] about You Should Actively Encourage Poor Safety in the Workplace
Four Indicators of Toxic Safety Culture
Four Indicators of Toxic Safety Culture When professionals get concerned about the safety culture in organisations there are a range of dispositions that indicate that things are not good. Recognising these indicators early is one of the best ways to ensure that problems are addressed. The … [Read more...] about Four Indicators of Toxic Safety Culture
Anthropocentric Safety
“the floggings shall continue until morale improves” It is simply delusional to think or espouse that people can be controlled or enforced into total compliance. A mechanical approach to safety, consumed by zero harm, absolutes and statistics is simply alienating, non-inspiring and de-motivational. … [Read more...] about Anthropocentric Safety
The Lexicon of Safety Gibberish
The Lexicon of Safety Gibberish Gibberish or gobbledygook refers to speech that is nonsensical. Gibberish often takes the form of unrecognisable sounds and noise that when defined don’t make sense. Even the most cursory glance at research on ‘framing’ and ‘priming’ of language (eg. Fairhurst, The … [Read more...] about The Lexicon of Safety Gibberish
Safety and Risk Culture Cloud
I wanted to republish this article from last year after just reading yet another article about safety culture being "the way we do things around here" and therefore to change that, "Leaders need to walk the walk and talk the talk". I have never been comfortable with the term "safety culture", its … [Read more...] about Safety and Risk Culture Cloud
OHS is BS
Some Occupational Health and Safety is BS – Should Safety be Third? Does making SAFETY FIRST make SAFETY LAST? YOU WILL LOVE OUR HOT TOASTER PAGE!! UPDATE October 2015 - THIS WAS ONE OF MY VERY FIRST BLOG POSTS - I'VE COME A LONG WAY SINCE THEN and UNLEARNED A LOT OF TRADITIONAL SAFETY RUBBISH - … [Read more...] about OHS is BS