Positive Safety Stuff
I’m just not that into safety anymore
Our most popular article this year! Why do you think that is? Rob’s courage and honesty has certainly touched some nerves! I’m just not that into safety anymore I have spoken with a number of Managers over the past few months who have argued with me that ‘safety’ in our workplaces means that we must do everything we …… Enjoy the rest of the article >>>>>
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Positive Safety – Conversation Corner
Conversation Corner – Another Positive Safety Story Well I’m on a bit of a high right now………just witnessed a group of real safety people jump in and totally shutdown a safety spud head debate on LinkedIn and now this positive story comes in from Rob Sams in response to this article: Isn’t Safety Supposed to be …… Enjoy the rest of the article >>>>>
Creative Safety – How can I become more creative?
Creative Safety – How can I become more creative? A common element of any safety system is to list and analyze hazards as part of a risk assessment process. But, when asked to think outside the square and come up with new actions to solve a problem, our brains go blank, get stuck in a rut …… Enjoy the rest of the article >>>>>
Safety as a Helping Profession
I do sometimes wonder how or why some people get into the Safety Profession? Although thankfully in the minority, why do some safety people have such disdain for the “workers” (I dislike that dehumanizing label – see https://safetyrisk.net/the-dynamics-of-dehumanisation/ ) or think they have to burden them with convoluted systems and rub their hands together with glee when they catch them doing something wrong??? One of my partners in crime puts it down to a particular form of anatomical inadequacy but I wont go there now!
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 and it is likely …… Enjoy the rest of the article >>>>>
You Should Actively Encourage Poor Safety in the Workplace
I was asked recently for something different that could be done for a safety awareness session. I referred the person to this article from a few years ago – they tried it and apparently it worked brilliantly! What do you reckon? When it was first published I got an equal proportion of positive and negative …… Enjoy the rest of the article >>>>>
Developing Our Inner Introversion
Developing Our Inner Introversion …..the art of questioning becomes more difficult as status increases. Our culture emphasizes that leaders must be wiser, set direction and articulate values, all of which predisposes them to tell rather than ask”.Edgar Schein in Humble Inquiry (2013, p.5) I attended a ‘thinking group’ meeting last week with a new group of people …… Enjoy the rest of the article >>>>>
9 Great Reasons Why You Should Stop Doing Hazard Inspections
9 Great Reasons Why You Should Stop Doing Hazards Inspections Rob Sam’s recent article: How I Feel About Risk was posted on a few LinkedIn Groups. It was initially well received, but, almost as expected, the conversations have degenerated into discussions about the best ways to do hazard inspections and audits. I am not knocking people …… Enjoy the rest of the article >>>>>
The Art of Humble Inquiry as a Pathway to Safety Improvement
Gab Carlton’s first article republished by demand. Seems to be a topic of interest at the moment. With 43 comments, one of our most popular articles. The message here is so simple yet contradicts orthodox and contemporary safety education, training and practice: “telling is more risky than asking”, “We see ‘asking’ as a ‘weakness’ or ……Enjoy the rest of the article >>>>>
‘Can’t Means Won’t Try’ – The Challenge of Being Challenged
‘Can’t Means Won’t Try’ – The Challenge of Being Challenged Why is change easy for children and often so difficult for adults in the work environment? Are workers just being difficult, or is there more to it than that? It seems that there are challenges to being challenged.I’m feeling inspired by a conversation I had recently …… Enjoy the rest of the article >>>>>
Do you know how to sell safety?
Do you know how to sell safety? Great article recently Posted by Marie-Claire Ross from Digicast – Read the whole article here A few similar ones you might also relate to: Safety Professionals–The Piggy in The Middle? Safety Professionals – We Are Our Own Worst Enemies Risk Psychometrics, Spin and Snake …… Enjoy the rest of the article >>>>>
Communicating and Consulting About Risk
Communicating and Consulting About Risk In this next video from Gab and Rob’s ‘Conversation on the Couch’ series, the guys talk through a little known book that accompanies the Risk Management Standard. It’s called Communicating and Consulting About Risk, HB327. You can get a copy here The book provides some good guidance …… Enjoy the rest of the article >>>>>
‘Measuring’ does things to people…. (and what to do about it)
‘Measuring’ does things to people…. (and what to do about it) It has become fashionable for organisations to use positive or leading indicators as a way to ‘measure’ their risk and safety ‘performance’. Leaders in some organisations have proudly told me how they are ‘progressive’, ‘generative’ and ‘world class’ because they focus …… Enjoy the rest of the article >>>>>
The Paradox of Helping
I had the privilege of attending the Lifeline Brass Blokes Awards in my hometown of Newcastle last night. The Awards recognise the spirit of ‘blokes’ who have been through adversity yet still find the time, courage and inspiration to give back to their community. As well as celebrate these men, the event raises awareness of men’s mental health and suicide, plus raises funds for Lifeline Hunter Central Coast. It was a special night.
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