Really interesting findings from 1910 challenging the concept of carelessness and workers as the main ‘cause’ of traumatic accidents. From Eastman’s book 2 of the Pittsburgh’s Survey. Was meant to be a mini-post. But, too many interesting statements. Extracts: · Eastman starts with “So you’ve come to Pittsburgh to study accidents, have you?” says the… Continue reading 1910 Pittsburgh Survey challenging worker ‘carelessness’ as main ’cause’ of accidents
Tag: osha
Imbalanced sleep increases mortality risk by 14–34%: a meta-analysis
Poor sleep increases mortality risk by 14 – 34% according to a new meta-analysis. 79 cohort studies were included. Findings: · Inadequate sleep was defined as fewer than 7 h per night · 1/3 of adults regularly experience insufficient sleep which are “driven by lifestyle factors deeply rooted in modern society” · Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked… Continue reading Imbalanced sleep increases mortality risk by 14–34%: a meta-analysis
Human Error: Trick or Treat?
This 2007 chapter from Hollnagel unpacked whether we really need the concept of “human error” (HE). It’s a whole chapter, so I’ve skipped HEAPS. Tl;dr according to Hollnagel: · “there is no need of a theory of “human error” because the observed discrepancies in performance should be explained by a theory of normal performance rather… Continue reading Human Error: Trick or Treat?
1912 article discussing the role of fatigue in industrial accidents and arguing against ‘carelessness’ as an “ultimate cause”
This was an interesting article from 1912 highlighting the role that fatigue has in industrial accidents. Also challenges ‘carelessness’, saying it doesn’t account for the effects of fatigue. While scientific knowledge has progressed over the century, it’s cool how well they articulated the issue. · Image 1 top panel shows a breakdown of accidents per time… Continue reading 1912 article discussing the role of fatigue in industrial accidents and arguing against ‘carelessness’ as an “ultimate cause”
Chronic unease for safety in managers: a conceptualisation
Just a basic post today – some extracts from a paper exploring chronic unease: · Drawing on Reason’s concept, chronic unease has gone by various definitions over the years (image 1) · For Reason, it was the “tendencies of wariness towards risks” · And as a “contrast to complacency, resulting from the absence of negative events, leading ‘people… Continue reading Chronic unease for safety in managers: a conceptualisation
Human Success: Old wine in new bottles, or a shift of mindset for HRA in an automated world?
A really interesting conference paper from Andreas Bye, discussing whether shifting Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) terminology from human error to human success would help alleviate some of the blame-connotations. Also discussed is the human role in automated systems. It was meant to be a mini-post with a few dot-points and a couple of images, but… Continue reading Human Success: Old wine in new bottles, or a shift of mindset for HRA in an automated world?
Understanding Accidents – From Root Causes to Performance Variability
This 2002 discussion paper from Erik Hollnagel unpacks some assumptions of different accident models. Note: In this work, accident model isn’t the specific tool or method (e.g. ICAM), but a “frame of reference as the accident model, i.e., a stereotypical way of thinking about how an accident occurs”. i.e. the mental models and justifications on… Continue reading Understanding Accidents – From Root Causes to Performance Variability
What Control Measures Should I Use? Applying the Total Worker Health Hierarchy of Controls to Manage Workplace Fatigue
This new paper from Drew Dawson and others reconceptualised fatigue risk management within Total Worker Health (TWH) Hierarchy of Controls (HOC). THW HOC works as an extension to the traditional HOC, and “presents strategies in order of effectiveness, ranging from “eliminate,” “substitute,” “redesign,” “educate,” and “encourage” categories” They say that while is mostly associated with… Continue reading What Control Measures Should I Use? Applying the Total Worker Health Hierarchy of Controls to Manage Workplace Fatigue
“We miss a great deal when we substitute culture for power” – Charles Perrow on the role of power in disaster
“We miss a great deal when we substitute culture for power” I love this quote from Perrow in Normal Accidents (emphasis added). Perrow briefly discusses the role of power in organising risky technology. Discussing Vaughan’s interpretation of the Challenger disaster: · “I also find the role of power and interests minimized in Diane Vaughn’s otherwise excellent… Continue reading “We miss a great deal when we substitute culture for power” – Charles Perrow on the role of power in disaster
Attributing Cause for Occupational Accidents in Construction: A Descriptive Single Case Study
This thesis from Jennifer Serne explored how construction safety professionals attribute accident causes. 37 participants were included with 20 accident scenarios, 13 individual semi-structured interviews and 8 summative focus groups. For background: · Originally proposed by Heider in 1958, it’s said that people are “psychologically driven to determine the causes of others’ behavior” · And… Continue reading Attributing Cause for Occupational Accidents in Construction: A Descriptive Single Case Study
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