Rightly or wrongly, “Safety” has become one of the most despised words in industry. The debate over accreditation of the Profession has been simmering for too long and now it is time to bring it to the boil! The Quest for Accreditation of Safety in Australia by Dr Rob Long I have been inundated … [Read more...] about The Quest for Accreditation of Safety in Australia
safety professional
Making Objects Safe or People Safe
Making Objects Safe or People Safe I often ask people in risk and safety training as my first question, ‘When you walk on site, what are you looking for?’ It was no different this week and I got the usual answer ‘hazards!’ A number of people in the group had many years as inspectors, … [Read more...] about Making Objects Safe or People Safe
The Mis-naming of Safety as a Profession
The Mis-naming of Safety as a Profession It is fascinating to watch Safety struggle to identify itself as a ‘profession’. The quest for the brand and the repetition of the word ‘profession’ certainly doesn’t make it so (https://sia.org.au/). Even if some form of certification was developed in … [Read more...] about The Mis-naming of Safety as a Profession
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
Safety Professionals–The Piggy in The Middle?
Anyone for a game of Piggy in the Middle….? Republished by request - Check out the new book by Rob Sams Piggy in the Middle, do you remember playing that game when you were a kid? You know, the one where you stand in the middle of a group of friends who continually throw a ball to one another over … [Read more...] about Safety Professionals–The Piggy in The Middle?
Beware the Tossers from the Office
Beware the Tossers from the Office Guest post by Rob Sams – some real feedback from the coalface – ignore it at your own peril! I was on a plane home this week. It had been a long week, a lot of meetings, writing reports and, I was looking forward to getting home. Unfortunately, the plane was … [Read more...] about Beware the Tossers from the Office
My Story is Better than Yours
My Story is Better than Yours Guest Post by Rob Sams from Dolphin Safety Systems. Improving safety really is as simple and as cheap as doing more listening and conversing rather than telling……….. In my last piece (Safety Professionals - Piggy in the Middle) I wrote about the role of the modern day … [Read more...] about My Story is Better than Yours
Three Lessons in How to be Unprofessional
Three Lessons in How to be Unprofessional One of the critical skills of professionalism is Discourse Analysis. It is through Discourse Analysis that we understand the power in messages revealing: ethic, politick and motive. Discourse Analysis is also foundational to Social Psychology. You … [Read more...] about Three Lessons in How to be Unprofessional
No Secrets and the Professionalisation of Safety Knowledge
by Dr Robert Long for the thinkers amongst us – with a few subtle bits of logic thrown in for the unsuspecting. Does your perceived power and knowledge, your “holier than thou” attitude or your safety policing approach lead to under reporting? You should also read the whole series by Rob: CLICK … [Read more...] about No Secrets and the Professionalisation of Safety Knowledge
‘Professional’ Challenges for the Risk ‘Industry’
‘Professional’ Challenges for the Safety ‘Industry’ Download the full paper, including references: Professional Challenges for the Safety Industry by Dr Robert Long Introduction I have been in conversation with large organizations/businesses recently that are in the process of changing the nature … [Read more...] about ‘Professional’ Challenges for the Risk ‘Industry’