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 […]
semiotics
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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New Video Available – Semiotics Walk Workshop
New Video Available – Semiotics Walk Workshop A semiotic walk is an awareness activity and experience that seeks out how signs and symbols are present and part of the collective unconscious. It is best to undertake such a walk with someone who has some expertise in semiotics, semiosis and an understanding of the semiosphere. The […]
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First Semiotics Masterclass
First Semiotics Masterclass This week (19-21 April) was the first Master Class undertaken by the Centre for Leadership and Learning in Risk (CLLR – http://cllr.com.au/ ) and what an amazing time of learning was had by all 28 participants. Here we are on the steps of the Tuggeranong Community Centre where the workshops were held. […]
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Safety Icons and Communicating to the Unconscious
Safety Icons and Communicating to the Unconscious It is not surprising that many organisations who ‘profess’ an interest in people use objects as their icons in safety. With slogans that are about how much they ‘care about safety’ (not care about people), they chose icons of hard hats, cones, glasses and barricades. Words and icons […]
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Semiotics and Unconscious Communication in Safety
Semiotics and Unconscious Communication in Safety Some really interesting recent articles by Hayden Collins – http://riskintelligent.com.au/. One of his previous posts, How Semiotics Affects The Return To Work Process, generated some great discussion. The Semiotics of the RTW Industry FIRST PUBLISHED HERE The current approach to rehabilitation and return to work is based on the […]
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You know Where You Can Stick Your Safety Slogans
You know Where You Can Stick Your Safety Slogans Unions and Mining Companies have dug in for a long battle of meaningless aphorisms and condescending platitudes, started for safety reasons. Multinational Safety Organisations including Anglo American, Rio Tinto and BMA have recently diversified into mining and this has been the main catalyst for the war […]
