The notion of the perfect human sits at the foundation of the zero delusion. We see this evidenced in all aspects of the global safety discourse on zero vision (http://visionzero.global/ ). The denial of human fallibility is the foundation of this delusion … [Read more...] about Safety and the god-image
vision zero
Framing Risk Through Regulation
I watch with amusement every time some safety body claims ‘transformation’, ‘difference’ or ‘vision’. Then look at the next proposed conference and everything is just the same: opening speech by the Regulator, followed by legal speeches followed by the Minister for WHS and then further … [Read more...] about Framing Risk Through Regulation
Zero Vision but Purchase Insurance
Zero Vision but Purchase Insurance One of the realities of maturity in fallibility is understanding finiteness, vulnerability and risk. The profession of infallibility is a sign of a mental health problem. It’s because we don’t talk non-sense to ourselves that we purchase insurance. It’s because … [Read more...] about Zero Vision but Purchase Insurance
Safety’s Garden of Eden Complex
Safety’s Garden of Eden Complex One of the enduring myths of the risk and safety industry is the naive belief in paradise. Paradise is that mythical place where no-ne will be harmed. We see this nonsense yearning for utopia demonstrated in the Bradley Curve and the ideological nonsense of zero … [Read more...] about Safety’s Garden of Eden Complex
Vision Can’t Come from Safety Compliance
Vision Can’t Come from Safety Compliance One of the spin offs, trade-offs and by-products of Vision Zero is a lack of vision. The idea of vision comes from more than just seeing something but rather seeing beyond something. I will be writing about this in my next book Envisioning Risk, Signs and … [Read more...] about Vision Can’t Come from Safety Compliance
Zero Discourse as Gobbledygook
Zero Discourse as Gobbledygook When we communicate or are communicated to, we like things to be coherent. Coherence allows us to hold things together so that the message makes sense. When people speak non-sense to others that is incoherent, the outcome is: confusion, misunderstanding and no … [Read more...] about Zero Discourse as Gobbledygook
Zero Accident Vision Non-Sense
Zero Accident Vision Non-Sense You won’t read much more propagandist non-sense than this article about Zero Accident Vision . If one applies any skill of critical thinking (which of course safety doesn’t study) to this article one will see it as nothing more than propaganda … [Read more...] about Zero Accident Vision Non-Sense
Don’t Dare Speak the ‘f’ Word
Don’t Dare Speak the ‘f’ Word The claim that Zero Vision ‘works’ has more in common with ‘faith healing’ (https://safetyrisk.net/safety-as-faith-healing-2/ ) than critical thinking. Dekker (2017, Zero Vision: enlightenment and new religion. Policy and Practice in Health and Safety, … [Read more...] about Don’t Dare Speak the ‘f’ Word
No Evidence for the Religion of Zero
No Evidence for the Religion of Zero Vision Zero or Zero Vision? Religious studies demonstrate that in our post-science/post-text world the secular is becoming more religious and the religious is becoming more secular (Ostwalt, 2012, Secular Steeples, Popular Culture and the Religious Imagination … [Read more...] about No Evidence for the Religion of Zero
Stop the Train I Want to Get Off
Stop the Train I Want to Get Off I accepted a job this week to research amongst other things; suicide, near miss and other events in rail (good luck Dumb Ways to Die). I am working with a provider who has all the National data on the subject. As with any research project one must start with … [Read more...] about Stop the Train I Want to Get Off