A recent discussion prompted the question of what is and is not Safety-II – or really any other facet of the adaptive philosophies. Here you’ll find several extracts from the research covering definitions, key concepts and more. Safety-I, Safety-II, HOP, Safety Differently, New View and Safety-III** A recent discussion prompted the question of what is… Continue reading Research Compendium: Definitions: Safety-II, Resilience Engineering, HOP, New View, Safety Differently (update: 01/26)
Mini-Comp: Psychosocial Risks / Mental-Ill Health / Psychological Injury
“wHeRe iS tHe eViDeNcE fOr pSyChOsOcIaL risks?!1?!11” I can’t be bothered repeatedly linking to the dozens of systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the connections between psychosocial factors and various indices of health, safety, and organizational performance on LinkedIn. So, I’m just compiling a few into a mini-collection. WAY WAY WAY too much to systematically cover… Continue reading Mini-Comp: Psychosocial Risks / Mental-Ill Health / Psychological Injury
Compendium: Rules / Procedures / Procedural Departure / Writing Procedures
This mini-compendium covers a range of papers talking generally about rules and procedures. This includes the role, benefits and risks of rules, writing better rules incorporating HF/E and human-centred design, some literature specifically on workarounds, and then papers on rule departures and more. Feel free to shout a coffee (one-off or recurring monthly) if you’d… Continue reading Compendium: Rules / Procedures / Procedural Departure / Writing Procedures
Compendium: An ode to Andrew Hopkins & Andrew Hale
Two researchers & authors who have had a big impact on my practice and thinking are Andrew Hale and Andrew Hopkins. Thankfully, I was exposed to their work right at the start of my safety career. Why two Andrews? Why not three? I don’t know. Just two people who influenced my thinking around the same… Continue reading Compendium: An ode to Andrew Hopkins & Andrew Hale
Compendium: Leadership / Safety Leadership / Leaders Behaving Badly / Followership
Here’s a mini-compendium of research surrounding leadership, safety leadership and followership. NOT systematic – there’s way too much to cover in this space. Focus is on the links between leadership attributes / interventions on indices of performance. The other focus is on studies I’ve either summarised or could locate a full-text link for. ** For… Continue reading Compendium: Leadership / Safety Leadership / Leaders Behaving Badly / Followership
Compendium: Cultural approaches to safety / Safety Culture / Safety Climate / Org Culture
It’s no secret that I’m relatively cautious of ‘Safety Culture’. (** At least, I fall more into the interpretative, than functionalist, camp). Nevertheless, I get the question of evidence often, so here it is. A compendium of studies focused on organisational culture, culture of safety, safety culture and safety climate. Because there’s so many studies… Continue reading Compendium: Cultural approaches to safety / Safety Culture / Safety Climate / Org Culture
Compendium: Evidence For Safety Interventions (meta-analyses, systematic reviews)
Does ‘safety’ work? What is the evidence supporting the stuff we do? This mini-compendium collects several meta-analyses and systematic reviews surrounding the evidence of safety interventions on performance measures. Focus is primarily on incident/injury rather than health; nor psychosocial, safety climate & culture, HF/E, or leadership (those will be covered another time). Also haven’t focused… Continue reading Compendium: Evidence For Safety Interventions (meta-analyses, systematic reviews)
Compendium: Complex systems, sociotechnical, system safety
This mini-compendium covers some areas of systems thinking and complex adaptive systems, mostly with a focus on safety and risk. There are so many threads in the systems fields: systems thinking, systems engineering, systems safety, complexity, chaos, complex adaptive systems, cybernetics, variations thereof and more. Hence, I can’t cover them all, so it’s a highly… Continue reading Compendium: Complex systems, sociotechnical, system safety
Compendium: SIFs, Major Hazards, Fatal & Traumatic hazards, risks
This is an expansion to my prior compendium on Critical Controls, Barriers and Energy thinking. Suggest you read that in conjunction to this, link here: Barriers, Critical Controls, Verifications, Energy Models If you’re after indicators check this mini-compendium out: Safety & Risk Performance indicators (lead, lag, drive, process safety + more) This compendium focuses on articles… Continue reading Compendium: SIFs, Major Hazards, Fatal & Traumatic hazards, risks
Compendium of Nancy Leveson: STAMP, STPA, CAST and Systems Thinking
Although I don’t often mention or post about Leveson’s work, she’s probably been the most influential thinker on my approach after Barry Turner. So here is a mini-compendium covering some of Leveson’s work. Feel free to shout a coffee if you’d like to support the growth of my site: https://direct.mit.edu/books/oa-monograph/2908/Engineering-a-Safer-WorldSystems-Thinking-Applied https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840608101478 https://doi.org/10.1145/7474.7528 http://therm.ward.bay.wiki.org/assets/pages/documents-archived/safety-3.pdf http://sunnyday.mit.edu/papers/Rasmussen-Legacy.pdf https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00140139.2015.1015623… Continue reading Compendium of Nancy Leveson: STAMP, STPA, CAST and Systems Thinking
Compendium: Sleep & Fatigue Risk Management
Here’s an assortment of papers on sleep and occupational fatigue. Focus is on articles I’ve summarised or full-text I could locate. A few themes are covered: Feel free to shout a coffee if you’d like to support the growth of my site: Sleep & Fatigue https://www.academia.edu/30709111/Fatigue_proofing_A_new_approach_to_reducing_fatigue_related_risk_using_the_principles_of_error_management https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/pdf/10.5664/jcsm.9512 https://www.academia.edu/7558212/A_Model_to_Predict_Work_Related_Fatigue_Based_on_Hours_of_Work https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2021.106398 https://www.academia.edu/115005821/Effects_of_fatigue_on_surgeon_performance_and_surgical_outcomes_a_systematic_review https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6495463_The_dynamics_of_neurobehavioural_recovery_following_sleep_loss https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article-abstract/20/4/267/2732104?redirectedFrom=PDF https://www.researchgate.net/publication/49656992_Research_needs_and_opportunities_for_reducing_the_adverse_safety_consequences_of_fatigue https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/eng-2022-0411/pdf https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/indhealth/47/5/47_5_518/_pdf… Continue reading Compendium: Sleep & Fatigue Risk Management
Mini-Compendium: Psychological Safety
Given the prominence of Psychological Safety (PS), it’s worth sharing some research. It’s likely among the most studied modern concepts in organisational theory – so I can barely scratch the surface. Focus first is articles I’ve summarised, and then on any other full-text items I can find. In my haste, I’ve probably included some psychological… Continue reading Mini-Compendium: Psychological Safety
Mini-Compendium: Power, Safety, Authority Gradients, and the Power of Elites
Here’s some articles, mostly full-text links, exploring power within organisations. Includes broader social power, power gradients, voice, and more. Feel free to shout me a coffee if you’d like to support the growth of my site: Full-Text Articles [Below link will say ‘Discursive effects of safety science’. Download it and its a whole book with… Continue reading Mini-Compendium: Power, Safety, Authority Gradients, and the Power of Elites
Foresights before disaster: An ode to Barry Turner
So while I don’t often explicitly refer to the late Barry Turner’s work on LinkedIn or regularly post his articles, he’s been the most influential researcher on my own work and is tacitly embedded in my language and thinking. If you’ve heard of Man-Made Disasters, disaster incubation, perceptual horizon, decoy phenomena, failures of foresight (and… Continue reading Foresights before disaster: An ode to Barry Turner
Compendium: Learning and improvement without incidents
Here’s a mini-compendium of…well, probably a lot of stuff with only a tenuous link to ‘learning’. I tried to focus on learning that doesn’t require incidents, but you’ll find those here, too. There’s >100 articles, mostly full-text. I think I went overboard. Unfortunately, it’s barely sorted. It includes: Shout me a coffee Learning Strengths &… Continue reading Compendium: Learning and improvement without incidents
Mini-Compendium: Investigations & Corrective Action Limitations / Bias / Underreporting
This compendium covers a few elements of investigations, investigation limitations and biases, priming, underreporting and more. Because of the breadth of these topics, this sample is pretty limited and biased to my own interests and what I’ve either written about or could find a full-text link for. It also doesn’t cover many investigation methods (if… Continue reading Mini-Compendium: Investigations & Corrective Action Limitations / Bias / Underreporting
An ode to Drs Richard Cook, Jens Rasmussen & Bob Wears: A mini-compendium of their legacies
This is long overdue – but I wanted to cover some of the work from these giants who have played a significant part in modern safety thinking. Focus is on articles I’ve written about or used extracts from, or could find a full-text link for, and higher-cited articles. It’s not systematic – and unfortunately a… Continue reading An ode to Drs Richard Cook, Jens Rasmussen & Bob Wears: A mini-compendium of their legacies
A life of Reason: A mini-compendium of James Reason’s contributions
Seems fitting to cover some work from James Reason and to reflect on his enduring impact on our professional work, thinking and models. I’ve focused more on articles I’ve summarised or posted an image extract of, or could find a full-text article for. It’s NOT systematic. I’ve also included articles not from Reason but whom… Continue reading A life of Reason: A mini-compendium of James Reason’s contributions
Compendium: Blame, Just Culture & language
Here’s another compendium of articles exploring blame and language in the construction of post-hoc causality explanations, or how blame effects learning and investigations. The other part covers some articles around Just Culture and restorative culture. Note: I’ve mostly focused on articles that I’ve either already summarised or that I could find a full text link… Continue reading Compendium: Blame, Just Culture & language
Constructions of “Human Error” (Mini-Compendium)
Here’s a bunch of linked articles (and a video) unpacking the constructs, or uses, of “human error”. (‘Keep calm’ header image source is my own, from a presentation) Welcome any additions. Shout me a coffee Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2021/08/05/searching-for-the-origins-of-the-myth-80-human-error-impact-on-maritime-safety/ Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2025/01/31/hollnagel-on-human-error-error-as-cause-process-or-outcome/ Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2024/09/05/the-emperors-new-clothes-or-whatever-happened-to-human-error/ Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2024/07/24/human-error-and-violation-of-rules-in-industrial-safety-a-systematic-literature-review/ Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2024/07/01/design-rules-based-on-analyses-of-human-error/ Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2024/06/21/understanding-human-error-in-naval-aviation-mishaps/ Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2024/05/24/state-of-science-evolving-perspectives-on-human-error/ Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2024/05/14/six-stages-to-the-new-view-of-human-error/ Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2024/04/16/human-performance-in-barrier-thinking-problems-with-human-error-post-1/ Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2024/01/18/perspectives-on-human-error-hindsight-biases-and-local-rationality/… Continue reading Constructions of “Human Error” (Mini-Compendium)
Research Compendium: Safety & Risk Performance indicators (lead, lag, drive, process safety + more)
This compendium covers several themes relating to safety performance indicators / risk indicators / process safety indicators. The following topics are covered: Note: Shout me a coffee Indicator Definitions Australian Constructors Association. Lead Indicators Safety Measurement in the Construction Industry: https://www.constructors.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Lead-Performance-Indicators-Guideline.pdf Guo, B. H., & Yiu, T. W. (2016). Developing leading indicators to monitor the… Continue reading Research Compendium: Safety & Risk Performance indicators (lead, lag, drive, process safety + more)
A Compendium of Research: Barriers, Critical Controls, Verifications, Energy Models
Here’s a collection of papers relating to critical controls, barriers, safeguards, defence-in-depth, verifications and more. Let me know if I’ve missed any bangers. I plan for this to be a live list, so check back occasionally. Shout me a coffee Critical Controls / CCM / ICMM Critical Control Management in Indonesian Mining Industry Implementing Critical Control… Continue reading A Compendium of Research: Barriers, Critical Controls, Verifications, Energy Models
A Curious Compendium of ‘Adaptive’ Research (HOP, Safety-II, RE, HRO etc.)
Due to multiple requests – I’ve compiled several papers discussing various aspects of S-II, Resilience Engineering (RE), HOP, HRO and similar. I plan for this to be a live list – so check back occasionally. Let me know if I’ve missed any bangers. Note: Shout me a coffee Don’t forget to check out these two… Continue reading A Curious Compendium of ‘Adaptive’ Research (HOP, Safety-II, RE, HRO etc.)
Management lulled into false sense of safety and the filtering of bad news
“London Underground did not guard against the unpredictability of fire. Unhappily they were lulled into a false sense of security by the fact that no previous escalator fire had caused a death.” I was working on a new YouTube ep on the weekend, and was reminded by these apt comments from Des Fennell in the… Continue reading Management lulled into false sense of safety and the filtering of bad news
Weight training & heart health
Is weight training healthy for your arteries? It may seem counterintuitive, but earlier research suggested that hitting iron can stiffen arteries – which is used as a measure for predicting cardiovascular health. Stiffer arteries have less elasticity, and forces the heart to work harder, increasing the risk of cardiovascular events, high blood pressure and stroke.… Continue reading Weight training & heart health
22 Research Compendiums on what works in safety, risk and organizational practices (>1000 studies)
Do our ‘safety’ practices work? What’s the evidence behind what we do, and why? My site SafetyInsights, provides 22 research compendiums on various topics – from error, critical controls, indicators, New View / HOP / Safety-II, rules, blame, investigations, power, leadership and more. There’s probably >1000 studies or more linked throughout these compendiums, many full… Continue reading 22 Research Compendiums on what works in safety, risk and organizational practices (>1000 studies)
“Achieving low … incident rates does not indicate that controls are adequate with respect to [SIFs]”
“Achieving low … incident rates does not indicate that controls are adequate with respect to [SIFs]” Another lazy PowerPoint of quotes, this time from Fred Manuele’s 2013 article ‘Preventing Serious Injuries & Fatalities’. What do you think – do you agree or disagree with Fred’s premises which need to be embedded or dislodged? PS. Check… Continue reading “Achieving low … incident rates does not indicate that controls are adequate with respect to [SIFs]”
What are the health impacts of ultra processed foods?
What are the health impacts of ultra processed foods? A massive 2024 British Medical Journal evaluated data from >9 million people. Not surprising, the evidence points to increased risks of cardiovascular disease mortality, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, and common mental disorders. These effects were generally found to rise progressively with higher intake, whether measured by… Continue reading What are the health impacts of ultra processed foods?
The Role of Distrust in Offshore Safety Performance
How does distrust influence facets of safety in offshore? This surveyed 203 UK offshore gas workers on attitudes of trust and distrust towards workmates, supervisors, offshore managers, and contractors. PS. Check out my YouTube: https://youtube.com/@safe_as_pod?si=iUaDPJynPemQRZhY Shout a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/benhutchinson Background:· “Trust has been described as a lubricant for open and frequent safety communication” · “individuals feel safer… Continue reading The Role of Distrust in Offshore Safety Performance
CEO Speeches: Talking our way to disaster (BP & DeepWater Horizon)
In April, 2010, BP CEO Tony Hayward reassured shareholders that the company was safer and more efficient than ever. Five days later, the Deepwater Horizon disaster happened. This video unpacks a study that evaluated CEO speeches and how rhetoric and slogans can be disconnected with actual behaviour and resourcing. It explores how relentless cost-cutting and… Continue reading CEO Speeches: Talking our way to disaster (BP & DeepWater Horizon)
The role of trust in occupational safety
How does trust affect safety levels within organisations? 883 Polish industrial workers were surveyed. Shared under open access licence. PS. Check out my YouTube: https://youtube.com/@safe_as_pod?si=iUaDPJynPemQRZhY Shout a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/benhutchinson Extracts: · “employees’ trust in management affects safety outcomes indirectly (full mediation), due to the improvement in their engagement in safety citizenship behaviour (SCB)” · e.g. it works… Continue reading The role of trust in occupational safety
Is your safety data backwards? Do leading indicators become lagging and vice versa?
Does doing more safety activity reduce injuries? Not necessarily, and sometimes the relationship may run in the reverse. A study of a major infrastructure project from @helen Lingard, @matthew hallowell and others found that safety activities usually labelled as ‘leading indicators’ didn’t behave as simple one-way predictors of injuries. Some activities were associated with later… Continue reading Is your safety data backwards? Do leading indicators become lagging and vice versa?
Safety paradoxes and (the limits of) measuring ‘safety’ by its absence (unsafety)
Our efforts in health and safety typically “comprises ‘unsafety’ than about the substantive properties of safety itself”. Or so said James Reason in his 2000 article ‘Safety paradoxes and safety culture’. What he meant is that the militant focus on extrapolation from incidents and investigations provides a narrow slice of system effectiveness when risk protections… Continue reading Safety paradoxes and (the limits of) measuring ‘safety’ by its absence (unsafety)
SafetyInsights.org 