A really interesting doctoral thesis from @dr simon Roberts, exploring: 1) the impact of zero harm messaging on organisational performance 2) zero harm C-suite messaging to investors and shareholders A range of data was obtained from the mining industry, including mid-year and end of year reports, sustainability reports, and analysis of meeting transcripts. I can… Continue reading Worker safety: zero harm messaging, reporting and the C-suite

This study evaluated the effectiveness of adopting certified OHSAS 18001 systems among 805 adopters versus 12k matched controls (non-adopters). Providing background: ·         Some research has highlighted a positive difference for organisations adopting certification, like adopters “more likely to enforce OHS rules and procedures than non-adopters were, and that the level of safety training was also… Continue reading Effectiveness of OHSAS 18001 in reducing accidents at work. A follow-up study of 13,102 workplaces

Another banger from Trevor Kletz on a similar theme to the last. He discusses the “missed opportunities” from accidents and investigations. Only covering a few items, so check out the full paper. 1. We find only a single cause, often the final triggering event 2. We find only immediate causes and do not look for… Continue reading Accident Investigations – Missed Opportunities

Another earlier (1995) banger from Don Norman and colleague on designing for error. This is a larger summary. Of course, there’s newer stuff since published but it’s still a solid read. It also has an elegant sentiment around what should be a cooperative approach between technical systems and people (e.g. instead of computers blurting out… Continue reading Designing for error

This new study systematically reviewed the literature on safety indicators and thematically analysed their descriptions, aiming to: Not a summary – but the paper is open access so you can read it yourself. From the paper: Ref: Bayramova, A., Edwards, D. J., Roberts, C., & Rillie, I. (2024). Unravelling the Gordian knot of leading indicators. Safety… Continue reading Unravelling the Gordian knot of leading indicators

Does adoption of an 18001 certified SMS improve safety performance following 3 years after implementation? Possibly not. 805 certification adopters were compared to 12k matched non-adopters. Summary posted next week. Key findings were:·         “This longitudinal register-based study could not confirm that workplaces adopting COHSMS reduce reportable severe accidents at work within a three-year follow-up” ·        “Already… Continue reading ISO 18001 certification not found to improve performance after 3 year follow-up

This is an interesting little 2011 paper from the late, great Trevor Kletz. He discusses “how not to investigate an accident” via a few principles. Some extracts: Ref: Kletz, T. (2011). How not to investigate an accident. Loss Prevention Bulletin, 219, 8-12. Shout me a coffee Study link: https://www.icheme.org/media/9290/xxii-paper-80.pdf My site with more reviews: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com LinkedIn post:… Continue reading How not to investigate an accident

A great read from Jodi Oakman and team exploring who uses ‘how to lift training’ (HTLT) and why. Importantly “Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have a complex aetiology. How to lift training (HTLT) does not address this complexity, is an ineffective prevention strategy but remains widely utilised”. 1507 survey responses were analysed. For background: ·        In Australia, MSDs… Continue reading We know it doesn’t work: Why do we still use how to lift training for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders?

This 2011 paper from Sid Dekker may interest people. I only just ran across this. It contrasts two different perspectives on systems thinking: Systems thinking 1.0 (ST-1): A more mechanistic view of systems, encouraging reductionist and mechanistic worldviews – and “finding more broken parts further away in time and space from the accident” Systems thinking… Continue reading Systems Thinking 1.0 and Systems Thinking 2.0: Complexity science and a new conception of “cause”

A fascinating read from Edmondson and Besieux, who discuss the role of conversations in driving change at work, and proposing a framework to distinguish between productive and unproductive forms of voice and silence. Note – I’ve skipped heaps, and especially their examples/scenarios, and also many of their suggestions on how to implement improvements. Check out… Continue reading Reflections: Voice and Silence in Workplace Conversations