Hopkins in this discussion paper explores organisational cultures, and how they effect safety. You’ll note he writes cultures, plural, rather than culture as a monolithic construct. Way too much to cover in this paper, so just a few points. Check out the full paper if the topic interests you. Hopkins starts with “Despite all that… Continue reading Studying organisational cultures and their effects on safety
The human factor: Pursuing success and averting drift into failure – YT video, Sidney Dekker
A 2018 presentation from Sid Dekker on success and drift into failure. One of many such, and no particular reason why this one over any other. Sid starts with an example he heard, supporting the bad apple thesis: “just get rid of the nurses who make mistakes and all will be a lot safer” “Now… Continue reading The human factor: Pursuing success and averting drift into failure – YT video, Sidney Dekker
Short video from James Reason on types of errors
I’m sure others have posted this recently, but it’s an interesting video from James Reason talking about error and performance. I particularly love the retro-ambience. It’s like something you’d see on VHS in science class. Jim talks about some interesting properties of task errors. Like making tea, “these errors aren’t random or bizarre…we don’t find… Continue reading Short video from James Reason on types of errors
Moving beyond TRIR: Measuring and monitoring safety performance with high-energy control assessments
Another post on SIFs, this time the High Energy Control Assessments (HECA) from Oguz Erkal & Hallowell. Link to article below, plus to a HECA guide, and to the SIF compendium. Extracts: · HECA is “the percentage of high-energy hazards with a corresponding direct control” · HECA is binary because “every condition observation is modeled only as… Continue reading Moving beyond TRIR: Measuring and monitoring safety performance with high-energy control assessments
Building Resilience into Safety Management Systems: Precursors and Controls to Reduce Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIFs)
Another on SIF prevention. This (interim) report (another from the recent compendium – see comments for link) covers the findings from a few activities, including two SIF workshops about ID, implementing and monitoring critical controls for SIF hazards, and the role of human and org factors. Too much to cover, so a few extracts: · “the… Continue reading Building Resilience into Safety Management Systems: Precursors and Controls to Reduce Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIFs)
Preventing serious injuries & fatalities: time for a sociotechnical model for an operational risk management system
Here’s a 2008 article from Fred Manuele which was included in my SIF compendium (link to compendium & article below). Fred explores a sociotechnical approach to preventing SIFs. The fatality rate in the US from 1971 to 2005 decreased from 17 to 4, but remained stable from 06 to 2011 at ~3.5; hence SIF prevention… Continue reading Preventing serious injuries & fatalities: time for a sociotechnical model for an operational risk management system
Leverage points to intervene in a system – Donella Meadows
In the lead up to next week’s compendium on systems thinking, here’s a banger from Donella Meadows. She explores system leverage points. Not a summary, but some extracts: · Leverage points are “places within a complex system .. where a small shift in one thing can produce big changes in everything” · The “state of the system”… Continue reading Leverage points to intervene in a system – Donella Meadows
Residual risk and the psychology of lower order controls
This conference paper briefly discussed the follies of lower order controls in the context of human performance. Nicely, it took a really empathetic view of people and their limits in perception and attention: it’s not a bug that needs to be blamed or feared, but just a biological feature which needs to be considered. First… Continue reading Residual risk and the psychology of lower order controls
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
Are workplace psychosocial factors associated with work-related injury in the US workforce?
Another study on the links between work-related psychosocial factors and work injury. Data was based on the 2010 National Health Survey in the US, including >16k workers. Survey data, so consider limitations. Key findings: · In multivariate models, “job insecurity, work–family imbalance, and hostile work environment were each positively associated with WRI prevalence (odds ratio [OR]:… Continue reading Are workplace psychosocial factors associated with work-related injury in the US workforce?
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