This study explored current knowledge and use of weak signals in safety. Thanks to Clive Lloyd for sharing this a couple weeks back. As you’d expect, this sort of topic, based on accidents, is pretty replete with hindsight and outcome knowledge but is interesting nevertheless. Extracts: · They have been defined as an “…imprecise early indication… Continue reading The use of weak signals in occupational safety and health: An investigation
Tag: accidents
Boards of directors’ influences on occupational health and safety: a scoping review of evidence and best practices
This literature review evaluated the impact of boards of directors on workplace safety. 49 studies met inclusion. Way too much to cover. Background: · “There is a growing understanding that operative leadership, from line managers to senior management, plays an important role in occupational health and safety” · Leadership “do not act in a vacuum”… Continue reading Boards of directors’ influences on occupational health and safety: a scoping review of evidence and best practices
Constructions of “Human Error” (Mini-Compendium)
Here’s a bunch of linked articles (and a video) unpacking the constructs, or uses, of “human error”. (‘Keep calm’ header image source is my own, from a presentation) Welcome any additions. Shout me a coffee Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2021/08/05/searching-for-the-origins-of-the-myth-80-human-error-impact-on-maritime-safety/ Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2025/01/31/hollnagel-on-human-error-error-as-cause-process-or-outcome/ Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2024/09/05/the-emperors-new-clothes-or-whatever-happened-to-human-error/ Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2024/07/24/human-error-and-violation-of-rules-in-industrial-safety-a-systematic-literature-review/ Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2024/07/01/design-rules-based-on-analyses-of-human-error/ Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2024/06/21/understanding-human-error-in-naval-aviation-mishaps/ Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2024/05/24/state-of-science-evolving-perspectives-on-human-error/ Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2024/05/14/six-stages-to-the-new-view-of-human-error/ Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2024/04/16/human-performance-in-barrier-thinking-problems-with-human-error-post-1/ Link: https://safety177496371.wordpress.com/2024/01/18/perspectives-on-human-error-hindsight-biases-and-local-rationality/… Continue reading Constructions of “Human Error” (Mini-Compendium)
Factors affecting learning from incidents: A cross-industry review
This study systematically reviewed the research to unpack the factors that influence learning from incidents (LFI). Likely nothing new to anybody, but it is a good reference paper for tracking down specific research. Background: · Common reasons for ineffective LFI are “underreporting of incidents (Sanne, 2008), incapacity to identify latent circumstances (Jacobsson et al., 2009), the… Continue reading Factors affecting learning from incidents: A cross-industry review
The rule of three: Situation awareness in hazardous situations
“The rule of three provides a mechanism that converts the risk continuum into a dichotomy for the purposes of decision-making. It does not, however, ignore the expertise of operators … Put another way, the rule of three structures expert decision-making; it does not replace it”
How do boards of directors influence workplace safety?
What impacts do boards of directors have on workplace safety? Found this an interesting extract from a paper I summarised over the weekend (will probably post next week). It systematically explored the links between boards of directors and their influence on safety. Of the 49 included studies, they found: · “Empirical studies gave no insight into… Continue reading How do boards of directors influence workplace safety?
“Those found responsible have been sacked”: some observations on the usefulness of error
Another interesting paper co-authored by the late Richard Cook. This paper discusses the usefulness of error. It’s a larger post with a lot of quotes – I just can’t do a better or more succinct job of restating what they’ve already written. Providing background, they argue that while some see “error” as a dead-end, others… Continue reading “Those found responsible have been sacked”: some observations on the usefulness of error
How to make injury metrics suck less?
How can we make injury metrics suck less? So this came out of a conversation with somebody (thanks Jordan Vince). I’m **not** a promoter of injury measures. I think we spend FAR too much time quibbling over what are, statistically speaking, quite rare events, when we have the entire spectrum of daily work to learn… Continue reading How to make injury metrics suck less?
The Illusive Pipedream of Zero Harm: A South African Mining Industry Perspective
Not much to say here – nor anything particularly new to practitioners – just thought this was an interesting extract from a study that unpacked South African mining company OHS annual reports. They highlight: · “where the injury rates and OD rates show a decreasing trend over time, this should not be construed to mean that health… Continue reading The Illusive Pipedream of Zero Harm: A South African Mining Industry Perspective
The Twenty Foot Rule and Safety Leadership
This brief conference paper discussed the ‘twenty foot rule’ of leadership. I’ve only covered a few points, as much of it reads as an instructional piece on key items to set up the process, whereas I’ve focused more on the general gist and rationale (so easier you just read the paper if you’re interested). The… Continue reading The Twenty Foot Rule and Safety Leadership
SafetyInsights.org 