The Spirit of Zero It is always a fascination to watch engineering and safety science immerse itself deeply into the life of sacred practice and salvation theology. Of course neither discipline has knowledge of religious studies or theology and doesn’t know just how religious it has become. Only a … [Read more...] about The Spirit of Zero
transdisciplinary approach
Risk and Safety as a Wicked Problem
Introduction It is nearly ten years since the outstanding research by Wagner and Associates ‘Safety - A Wicked Problem’ was published (http://www.peterwagner.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Safety-A-Wicked-Problem2.pdf). The project examined responses by prominent CEOs to common problems associated in … [Read more...] about Risk and Safety as a Wicked Problem
SPoR, Ideology and Safety Myth
Continuing our series on Safety Myths – see them all here Ideology is one of those tricky words that can be defined 100 ways. So, it’s always good to define meaning before assuming others know the application of language. In language context, philosophy and culture are critical determinant of … [Read more...] about SPoR, Ideology and Safety Myth
Culture Silence in Safety – Cultural Capital
Culture Silence in Safety – Cultural Capital In one of our online learning groups we have been recently discussing the work of Pierre Bourdieu. Bourdieu is just one of many experts in culture that receive no mention in safety literature about culture. When you are happy with culture as ‘what we do … [Read more...] about Culture Silence in Safety – Cultural Capital
How to Tackle Risk You Can’t See
How to Tackle Risk You Can’t See So often in strategic planning and goal setting people can’t see the trade-offs and by-products they are putting in place. You can’t see what you don’t know. We saw this with the recent research into traffic safety messages … [Read more...] about How to Tackle Risk You Can’t See
Being Emotional and Being Safe
Being Emotional and Being Safe Studying the nature of human emotions is neither simple, binary or black and white. It doesn’t matter whether one is talking about learning (https://safetyrisk.net/what-theory-of-learning-is-embedded-in-your-investigation-methodology/ ) or strategy … [Read more...] about Being Emotional and Being Safe
So, You Want Culture Change?
So, You Want Culture Change? When one’s definition of culture is either systems, behaviours or values (or all three) the strategies (methods) that result reflect the definition. Changing values, systems and behaviours doesn’t change culture, it only affects these small elements of culture. One’s … [Read more...] about So, You Want Culture Change?
A Semiotic Understanding of Culture
A Semiotic Understanding of Culture One of the profound weaknesses of the AIHS BoK Chapter on Culture is a complete omission of an Transdisciplinary focus on culture. The approach to understanding culture omits any sense of Transdisciplinarity is about giving authenticity and value to many … [Read more...] about A Semiotic Understanding of Culture
What is Critical Thinking in Safety?
What is Critical Thinking in Safety? Everyone thinks but not all think critically…. There are countless books out there on supposed ‘critical thinking skills’ but many are not about critical thinking. Many of these books don’t even define critical thinking well. Let’s take for example Cottrell, … [Read more...] about What is Critical Thinking in Safety?
Causation Concoctions
The AIHS Bok on Causation commences with the following: ‘If safety management is effective, then there should be an absence of accidents. Conversely, if accidents are occurring then effective safety management must be absent’ (p.1). The assumptions in these statements are of course not declared in … [Read more...] about Causation Concoctions
