This past week 30 people from all over the globe descended on Canberra, the Nations Capital, to learn about life, being and living in tension with risk. Some arrived after a 30 hour flight and no sleep like Billy from Des Moines Iowa, fighting to keep his body clock in sync and staying awake till … [Read more...] about Engaging Learning in SPoR
Anniversary–Beaconsfield Mine Collapse
Anniversary–Beaconsfield Mine Collapse The sixth anniversary of The Beaconsfield Mine collapse approaches. The collapse occurred on 25 April 2006 in Beaconsfield, Tasmania, Australia. Of the seventeen people who were in the mine at the time, fourteen escaped immediately following the collapse, one, … [Read more...] about Anniversary–Beaconsfield Mine Collapse
If it Dehumanises Persons, It Doesn’t ‘Work’!
Safety often makes absurd claims about what ‘works’ (https://visionzero.global/why-vision-zero) even though it never declares an ontology, methodology or method about what it does. Safety certainly never speaks about an ‘ethic of risk’ (https://safetyrisk.net/ethics-morality-and-an-ethic-of-risk/) … [Read more...] about If it Dehumanises Persons, It Doesn’t ‘Work’!
When the Safety Tool Becomes the Method
When the Safety Tool Becomes the Method When institutionalized tools become enshrined in organizational culture, they are like concrete shoes, they seem to fit but the weight of the problem over time seems only good for getting us quicker to the bottom. What tools am I thinking of? Well, many of … [Read more...] about When the Safety Tool Becomes the Method
Understanding the Cost of Injury
Latest article by Dr Robert Long, covering the real consequences of injury. Again, no apologies to the Zero Harm fans! If you liked this article then you should read the whole series: CLICK HERE. I highly recommend you check out Rob’s new book “RISK MAKES SENSE” Understanding Injury Cost and Flow … [Read more...] about Understanding the Cost of Injury
When You Don’t Know, Ask Safety. Safety Knows Best.
I have been blogging now for many years and always use the word ‘Safety’ capitalised to represent the culture and type of safety anthropomorphically. The use of such a grammar is neither personal or inclusive. We do this all the time in our language often without knowing it. We personify cities … [Read more...] about When You Don’t Know, Ask Safety. Safety Knows Best.
Free Workshop on Wicked Problems with Matt Thorne
In my recent work in Chennai , India, with Drs Rob Long and Nippin Anand, we postulated several critical questions in our Leadership workshops: What is Methodology?, What is Leadership? and Are We Learning From Accidents? And more. … [Read more...] about Free Workshop on Wicked Problems with Matt Thorne
Why is Safety and Risk a ‘Wicked Problem’?
In our studies in SPoR with Dr Craig Ashhurst on Wicked problems he uses a number of semiotics to help people understand what a wicked problem is, compared to other problems. His PhD One Team Where Worlds Collide: The Development of Transcoherence for Tackling Wicked Problems. comprehensively … [Read more...] about Why is Safety and Risk a ‘Wicked Problem’?
Proving Safety, A Book Review
Greg Smith’s new book can be purchased HERE The language of ‘proof’ is interesting when applied to risk and safety. Similarly, the language of what ‘works’. The black and yellow semiotic of the cover is suitable semiotic for what this book is about and, it’s not black and white! Risk and … [Read more...] about Proving Safety, A Book Review
Investigating Accidents – Who Needs To Learn
Much is written and shared about accident investigations and how to learn from accidents. Yes, a lot of learning comes from understanding the behaviour of people and the context that shapes their behaviour. But a lot of learning can also come from how we create, share and understand the accident … [Read more...] about Investigating Accidents – Who Needs To Learn