SafetyInsights.org

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

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). Note: The age of this study (published 1998 and analysing data from 47-33 years ago) must be considered. Overall… Continue reading Relationship between fatal and non-fatal workplace accidents in Finnish construction and manufacturing

What are some links between procedure use/departure, procedure quality, worker experience, task frequency and more? A study soon to be posted explored these interactions. Researchers Peres & Hendricks, who have published several studies on similar links, explored these interactions via the model 1 and model 2 concept of procedures. Model 1 conceptualises procedures as a… Continue reading Links between procedure use, procedure quality, worker experience and task frequency

Not much to add, but I found the following summary of evidence-based weaknesses of common hazard recognition interventions from Albert et al. pretty handy. Although there will likely be few surprises here – it may be a helpful resource, particularly as it lists the citations with the weaknesses. They tabulate some challenges or weaknesses for:… Continue reading Evidence-based weaknesses of common hazard recognition interventions – JHA/JSA, safety training and safety checklists

“Drive safely”, “watch your speed”, and display boards with the number of crashes seem prudent on the surface. But importantly, can they have a revenge effect and increase harm? A 2022 study suggests ‘Yes’. Hall and Madsen studied crash rates during campaigns in Texas where road fatality counts are displayed on dynamic message boards, e.g.… Continue reading Can behavioral interventions be too salient? Evidence from traffic safety messages

This paper explored the relationship between “safety culture” (SC) and safety and financial performance in 829 European firms from 29 European countries. Data was drawn from the Thomson Reuters Refinitiv ESG scores, with safety culture being a composite of: 1) employee health and safety policies, supply chain health and safety, health and safety teams, employee… Continue reading Safety culture, safety performance and financial performance. A longitudinal study

Ergonomics recently published a special volume focusing on Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. As a huge fan of anything related to Lisanne Bainbridge’s Ironies of Automation, this volume’s article “Ironies of artificial intelligence” from Endsley was a fascinating modern take on Bainbridge’s work. Endsley proposes five ironies of AI: Some extracts are attached as images… Continue reading The Ironies of artificial intelligence