This 2006 discussion paper from Andrew Hopkins critically discusses some assumptions underlying safe behaviour programs and some of their limitations in the context of complex systems. I can only cover some of the points, so recommend you read the full paper. Note: Trigger warning for those who violently object to ‘unsafe behaviour’. Overall, Hopkins argues:… Continue reading What are we to make of safe behaviour programs?
Author: Ben Hutchinson
The harms of promoting ‘Zero Harm’
This brief editorial discussed some challenges to zero harm approaches (‘absolute safety’) in healthcare. I particularly liked how the author argued that not only is zero harm not attainable, in an absolute sense, but “is unknowable”. Some points: · The authors encourage shifting away from ‘absolute safety’ “towards doing a better job of actively managing risk,… Continue reading The harms of promoting ‘Zero Harm’
The Use and Abuse of “Culture”
This well-known paper from Hopkins (found in several forms, book chapters, articles, presentations) critically challenges some core assumptions of safety culture. In short, directly quoting the paper: (1) Culture is a characteristic of a group, not an individual, and talk of culture must always specify the relevant group (2) Organisations have it within their power… Continue reading The Use and Abuse of “Culture”
Linking leader inclusiveness to work unit performance: The importance of psychological safety and learning from failures
This explored how leader behaviour influences how well clinical units learn from failure and on team performance based in hospitals. 55 clinical units (with an avg of 20 people per unit) & 224 workers were surveyed. Leader inclusiveness (leader behaviours of being available, accessible and inviting input, openness and showing fallibility), psychological safety and unit… Continue reading Linking leader inclusiveness to work unit performance: The importance of psychological safety and learning from failures
Hazard identification performance comparison between virtual reality and traditional construction safety training modes for different learning style individuals.
This new study may interest people – it compared hazard identification performance between VR and traditional construction safety training. They also compared the results to different learning styles (which I’ve skipped). Key findings: · “both traditional and VR training can improve the efficiency of visual search during individual hazard identification, increase hazard identification accuracy by individuals,… Continue reading Hazard identification performance comparison between virtual reality and traditional construction safety training modes for different learning style individuals.
Safety checklist compliance and a false sense of safety: New directions for research
This discussion paper explored the checklists and false senses of safety. In healthcare they say that probably the best known version of the checklist is the WHO surgical safety checklist. Prior work has generally shown positive effects, like reduced care complications and 30-day mortality rate. Interesting though, studies on compliance rates of the WHO checklist… Continue reading Safety checklist compliance and a false sense of safety: New directions for research
Models of drift: man-made disaster & incubation, systemic migration, normalisation of deviance, practical drift
More extracts from Foundations of Safety Science, this time some points around the different perspectives of drift and disaster incubation. Some points: · “Disasters do not come out of the blue, says man-made disaster theory” but are “preceded by sometimes lengthy periods of gradually increasing risk” · These risks often go unnoticed or unrecognised – incubation period… Continue reading Models of drift: man-made disaster & incubation, systemic migration, normalisation of deviance, practical drift
Seeking a scientific and pragmatic approach to safety culture in the North American construction industry
This study from Sherratt, Szabo and Hallowell unpacked the concept of safety culture, with a focus on US construction. I’ve skipped heaps and can’t do this justice, so check out the full paper. Ultimately, they “argue for the elimination of safety culture from the safety science lexicon”. Background Off the bat they say: “It is… Continue reading Seeking a scientific and pragmatic approach to safety culture in the North American construction industry
Doctors are more dangerous than gun owners: a rejoinder to error counting
This 2006 paper from Sid Dekker critically challenges the assumptions underlying “error counting” in safety. Some points: (Not a summary) Error background Complex systems Shout me a coffee Study link: https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=14d15a68409057ad5df9fccd960b47f57c69b911 My site with more reviews: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/benhutchinson2_this-2006-paper-from-sid-dekker-critically-activity-7247726923190001664-whqy?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
The Shift from System to Individual in Safety Approaches
I found these extracts interesting from Foundations of Safety Science – summarising some key developments and interpretations from over a century of safety-scientific approaches. They observe that despite a myriad of approaches, and developments, “almost every approach seems to end up reverting, one way or another, to the people who work in that system”. As… Continue reading The Shift from System to Individual in Safety Approaches
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