Signing JSAs not the same as understanding and using JSAs

An apt post from Robert Allan (see below image: link below) about collecting signatures.

We found similar findings in our study of HSE audits (image below: link below)

Signatures were conflated with the issues of interest – e.g., sigs were mistaken as literal representations of worker understanding or acceptance of issues, hazards or plans; despite not being the same thing.

As we found, “obtaining a signature on a plant risk assessment was treated literally as an acknowledgment of the content within the assessment itself”.

Indeed, signatures seemed to wield substantial symbolic value not matched by their functional value (in this specific context).

Ref: Hutchinson, Dekker, Rae. (2024). Audit Masquerade: How audits provide comfort rather than treatment for serious safety problems. Safety Science.

Rob’s post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/robertallan3_signatures-dont-protect-you-workers-knowledge-activity-7363461447571423234–r-k?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAeWwekBvsvDLB8o-zfeeLOQ66VbGXbOpJU&lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_recent_activity_content_view%3BvgcMrhmBTDKzpAexJGK99Q%3D%3D

My study: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2023.106348