“There was a very real sense in which all three parties were simply going through the motions together of producing ‘paper safety’” This is a nearly 600 page accident inquiry for the 2006 military aircraft accident – just a few extracts I found interesting regarding broader safety management. It’s a fantastic read and a masterclass… Continue reading The Nimrod accident inquiry: An exploration of paper safety, clutter, false safety and more
Systems thinking, the Swiss Cheese Model and accident analysis: A comparative systemic analysis of the Grayrigg train derailment using the ATSB, AcciMap and STAMP models
Does the Swiss Cheese metaphor hold its own against systemic accident models? Yes, according to this study. Seems topical to share this paper, comparing the ATSB variant of a Swiss Cheese accident model vs AcciMap and CAST (i.e. STAMP). They found: · “each model applied the systems thinking approach” · “However, the ATSB model and AcciMap graphically… Continue reading Systems thinking, the Swiss Cheese Model and accident analysis: A comparative systemic analysis of the Grayrigg train derailment using the ATSB, AcciMap and STAMP models
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
The harm of counterfactual normative judgements in investigations – book ‘Human and Organizational Potential’
Another extract from Pupulidy and Vesel’s book ‘Human and Organizational Potential’. This part looks at counterfactual thinking in investigations: · “Counterfactuals are statements that are contrary to what actually happened” · Counterfactuals “expresses what could have, would have, or should have happened… but didn’t” · Problematically, counterfactuals as normative judgements during investigations describe a reality that did not… Continue reading The harm of counterfactual normative judgements in investigations – book ‘Human and Organizational Potential’
What are we to make of safe behaviour programs?
A 2006 article from Andrew Hopkins, discussing some merits and limitations of behavioural approaches to safety. A lot of research has been done on behavioural safety approaches since 2006, but still a pretty reasonable article. Note: This is broader than BBS, but that’s a well-known iteration. Tl;dr – Hopkins argues: · “Safe behaviour programs run… Continue reading What are we to make of safe behaviour programs?
Safety Management Systems, safety clutter and illegitimate tasks (“BS work”)
Safety Management Systems and the problem of clutter and illegitimate core tasks (“bullshit tasks”). I’ve posted this paper before (see links), but here’s another extract. I don’t have much to say, as it doesn’t need explaining. The paper is worth a read, though. Author: Størkersen, K. V. (2024). Auditism: Symptoms, Safety Consequences, Causes, and Cure.… Continue reading Safety Management Systems, safety clutter and illegitimate tasks (“BS work”)
Leadership, followers’ mental health and job performance in organizations: A comprehensive meta-analysis from an occupational health perspective
This meta-analysis studied the links between leadership and mental health and job performance indices of followers. [NB. Look out for next week’s compendium on leadership research] No real surprises with the findings. They note that leadership, of course, “is not a neutral element”, and may influence both positive and negative effects. Extracts: · “results reveal that… Continue reading Leadership, followers’ mental health and job performance in organizations: A comprehensive meta-analysis from an occupational health perspective
Confirmation bias and priming in investigations: ‘Human & Organizational Potential’
Here’s one of (prob) several upcoming posts about Ivan Pupulidy, PhD and Crista Vesel, MSc’s book ‘Human and Organizational Potential’. This part looks at confirmation bias within investigations and uses the US Forest Service’s then current Investigation Guide: · “Confirmation bias is a tendency to search for information that confirms one’s preconceptions. When discussing confirmation bias… Continue reading Confirmation bias and priming in investigations: ‘Human & Organizational Potential’
Throwing caution to the wind: the effect of CEO stock option pay on the incidence of product safety problems
Do CEO stock options negatively affect product safety? Possibly, according to this study. They compared CEO stock options and product safety recalls on FDA regulated companies between 2004 – 11. PS. Keep an eye out for next week’s compendium on leadership research 👍 Background: · “A central premise of agency theory is that organizations can align… Continue reading Throwing caution to the wind: the effect of CEO stock option pay on the incidence of product safety problems
New site name: SafetyInsights.org
Woot, time to celebrate: I finally created a proper domain name: SafetyInsights.org Unfortunately, this doesn’t make any key quality of life upgrades to the site. But, whatever. However, as a thanks to everybody for the support – have a balloon:
SafetyInsights.org 