This paper explored the links between psychological safety, Lean implementation and construction safety. Surveys and semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 17 construction workers (project managers, workers, senior managers, engineers and more). Providing background: ·         They briefly cover some of the empirical links between lean implementation and project and safety performance ·         One study “concluded that… Continue reading Assessing Psychological Safety in Lean Construction Projects in the United States

A coroner’s report detailing a workplace fatality relating to an exploding gas strut. Such a relatively ‘simple’ failure resulted in a tragic outcome when a gas strut on a trailer was tapped with a hammer and the hammer claw was used to lever it over the thread. The strut subsequently exploded, killing one person. The… Continue reading Coroners report: exploding gas strut; poor manufactured quality, no engineering design, drawings or advice, lack of risk assessment on installation process

This study has been cited a lot, so I thought time to summarise it. It studied the relationship between fatal and non-fatal accidents, and economic activity, in Finnish manufacturing and construction industries (between 1977 – 1991). Providing background: ·         They provide some brief background on fatal workplace accidents (as of 1998); being largely male workers… Continue reading Accidents and fatal accidents—some paradoxes

What are the links between psychosocial factors and safety in high-risk industries? A study to be posted soon systematically reviewed the evidence to answer this question. This 2023 study evaluated 40 studies on the links between psychosocial factors, hazards and risks, and their interactions with safety behaviours (compliance and participation) and safety outputs (accidents, near… Continue reading Links between psychosocial factors and safety behaviour and outputs in high-risk industries

What are the links between Psychological Safety (PS), Lean construction, and performance? A study soon to be posted found higher PS in Lean compared to non-lean. A small study of 17 construction workers (managers, engineers, trades) based in the US explored the links between these facets. Overall they found: ·        Lean implementation, with elements like respect… Continue reading Links between psychological safety and performance in Lean vs non-Lean US construction

his explored whether construction workers are more likely to recognise safety hazards of higher safety risk than those of relatively lower risk. That is, does the underlying risk imposed by a safety hazard affect whether it will be recognised or not? 287 workers across 57 construction companies were assessed via images of construction work (demonstrating… Continue reading Does the potential safety risk affect whether particular construction hazards are recognized or not?

This earlier (1999/2000) handbook from Woods and Cook gives a really good 101 in cognitive This earlier (1999/2000) handbook from Woods and Cook gives a good high-level 101 in cognitive systems and systems thinking. It’s titled “Local rationality, hindsight bias and outcome bias”. It has a wide scope (38 pages): ·      They cover some accidents that… Continue reading Perspectives on Human Error: Hindsight Biases and Local Rationality

This study explored procedure use via their Interactive Behavior Triad model (IBT), based on logics of the Model 1 / Model 2 concept. Individuals were recruited from primarily oil & gas and chemical companies (n = 174 people surveyed). Note. Model 1 / 2 isn’t Safety-I / II. Providing background: ·         They note that while… Continue reading A systems model of procedures in high-risk work environments: Empirical evidence for the Safety Model 2 approach using the Interactive Behavior Triad

This coroner’s report describes a fatal mining event where a worker was crushed between a Landcruiser and a platform basket attached to a loader. The coroner is critical of SOPs not addressing non-routine or critical risks, excessive reliance on rules, and poor quality of risk assessments. The coroner observes: ·        Not every routine task requires an… Continue reading Fatal mining plant/pedestrian interaction: Coroner highlights SOPs not addressing non-routine or critical risks, excessive reliance on rules, and poor quality of risk assessments

This paper explored the relationship between “extensive reporting and documentation requirements attached to managerial positions in the offshore industry”, and how these admin duties affect manager ability to obtain hands-on experience from frontline work. Data is drawn from survey of 187 offshore managers in a Norwegian oil company. Three levels of incident reporting were in… Continue reading Safety Management and “Paperwork” – Offshore Managers, Reporting Practice, and HSE