Refer also to: The Arse-Covering Myth Swimming Up Stream and the Safe Work Method Statement Dilemma I was with an organisation this week that was being inspected by the regulator. The regulator had the unenviable task of assessing whether this organisation was appropriately managing … [Read more...] about Swimming Up Stream and the SWMS Dilemma
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The Seduction to Simplify Safety
The Seduction to Simplify Safe Work Method Statements Everyone knows that we are already in an age of excess in safety. This is the dilemma of optimisation. Some now talk about ‘ultra-safety’ organisations and wonder how much more they can do and say in the name of safety. How much does one have to … [Read more...] about The Seduction to Simplify Safety
Comply Or Be Human
I have been involved with safety in Australia for the past 15 years. In that period I would like to think I have grown and learned or would it be better to say try to understand what drives and motivates people to do certain things. I hear on several different job sites I have been on we have to … [Read more...] about Comply Or Be Human
Imagination and Safety
Imagination? We’ll Soon Knock that Nonsense Out of You A safety friend of mind Ted rang the other day, he had just gone through the circus and charade of an OFSC Audit and 4801 Audit. He said, ‘ah, now we are safe’, I said, ‘no your not, you are probably less safe’. (I’ll get back to this point … [Read more...] about Imagination and Safety
Pass Me Another SWMS Leo, The Last One Was Too Short
Isn’t it marvelous, SAI Global recently advertised new editable SWMSs (Safe Work Method Statement) for download. Now you don’t have to really assess risk, understand the job or know how to be safe, it’s the ultimate in cut and paste. So when the inspector comes, all the columns will be ruled … [Read more...] about Pass Me Another SWMS Leo, The Last One Was Too Short
Proving Safety
Read a review of Greg's latest book "Proving Safety" One of the best safety articles I've read on Linkedin in a long, long time. By Greg Smith (Author of "Papersafe" - https://amzn.to/3wNDPTv ) Proving Safety Here is an interesting question. What would safety management look like in your … [Read more...] about Proving Safety
Risk is About People, not just Objects
Risk is About People, not just Objects Article by Robert Sams republished following a request from a reader – See all of his brilliant articles here The focus of so much of our attention today in health and safety is on ‘risk assessment’. Walk into any workplace and talk about health and safety … [Read more...] about Risk is About People, not just Objects
Shared Ritual in the Safety Congregation?
Shared Ritual in the Safety Congregation? When anything involves salvation there is ritual. This is the energy of Zero. Follow these procedures, habits, practices, myths or routine enactments and thou shalt be saved … [Read more...] about Shared Ritual in the Safety Congregation?
The Futility of the Centralised Safety Management System?
Whenever I run the MiProfile diagnostic (https://www.humandymensions.com/services-and-programs/miprofile/) in organizations it always turns out that over 60% of people state that they do not understand the Safety Management System (SMS). With data from over 300 organizations and 60,000 participants … [Read more...] about The Futility of the Centralised Safety Management System?
Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright in Safety
Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright in Safety One of Dylan’s greatest songs is about the power of indifference (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Y3KfJs6T0 ), not just to love but to people in general. There’s nothing quite like the masquerade of care when in reality you don’t give a s&*t. The clip … [Read more...] about Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright in Safety