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The Search for Meaning in Safety Models

The Search for Meaning in Safety Models There is a huge chasm between three things: the intent and design (assumed philosophy) of a model, the semiotic diffusion of the model and what humans make of the model. Models and symbols are not neutral nor objective. All models are semiotics and as such seek to explain …

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The Sacred Bra Tree

The Sacred Bra Tree “When we begin to understand the significance of Bra Trees and roadside memorials then we might learn something about culture and why zero is such a dangerous sacrament” It’s not likely that you have ever seen a ‘Bra Tree’, a rare species of Australian eucalyptus in the Murray/Mallee about 40 kms …

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‘Man Up’ Safety

‘Man Up’ Safety I read some debate today between a man and woman online about who was the toughest. The opening bait started with a journalist stating he was showing up to work with 3 broken ribs and somehow this was to be admired, he stated he was ‘manning up’. Then a female journalist replied …

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What Does Your Risk and Safety Icon Say?

What Does Your Risk and Safety Icon Say? One of the many things missing in many discussions and definitions about culture and safety is iconography. It is clear from any casual assessment of what Safety deems iconic for business and conveying the meaning of safety, than an icon of an object. Whilst marketing experts and …

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Speaking a New Language in Safety

Speaking a New Language in Safety Dekker wisely recommends that Safety needs a new language (and discourse) for understanding and acting safety (Drift into Failure, pp. 15, 49, 53, 58, 123). He rightly asserts that the language (and grammar) of reductionist (seeking simple binary answers) thinking doesn’t serve the needs of safety very well, driving …

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