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
Tag: whs
“there is no such thing as a root cause [and therefore] there is technically no such thing as the beginning of a mishap” — Dekker
Extracts from Dekker’s work about the ontological and empirical shakiness of ‘root causes’. I’ve taken material from two versions of The Field Guide to Understanding Human Error (Investigations). In Dekker’s view: · “There is no ‘root’ cause” (or ‘root causes’) · Given the multiple angles and interactions in complex systems, you “can really construct “causes” from everywhere”… Continue reading “there is no such thing as a root cause [and therefore] there is technically no such thing as the beginning of a mishap” — Dekker
Work injuries and mental health challenges: A meta-analysis of the bidirectional relationship
This meta-analysis investigated the relationship between work injuries and mental health challenges. 139 studies included. Background: · Mental health challenge is defined as prolonged deviations from the state of an individual’s psychological well-being · “These deviations manifest as noticeable shifts in cognition, emotion, or behavior resulting in psychological distress” · “various studies have documented that work injuries are… Continue reading Work injuries and mental health challenges: A meta-analysis of the bidirectional relationship
Night shift work and indicators of cardiovascular risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis
This may interest people – a meta-analysis and systematic review of the effects night shift work has on markers of cardiovascular risk. Not a summary – you can read the full open access paper. 81 studies met inclusion criteria – 14 cohort and 67 cross-sectional. Findings: · “Night shift work is associated with increased inflammation · “HDL-C… Continue reading Night shift work and indicators of cardiovascular risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Compendium: Sleep & Fatigue Risk Management
Here’s an assortment of papers on sleep and occupational fatigue. Focus is on articles I’ve summarised or full-text I could locate. A few themes are covered: Feel free to shout a coffee if you’d like to support the growth of my site: Sleep & Fatigue https://www.academia.edu/30709111/Fatigue_proofing_A_new_approach_to_reducing_fatigue_related_risk_using_the_principles_of_error_management https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/pdf/10.5664/jcsm.9512 https://www.academia.edu/7558212/A_Model_to_Predict_Work_Related_Fatigue_Based_on_Hours_of_Work https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2021.106398 https://www.academia.edu/115005821/Effects_of_fatigue_on_surgeon_performance_and_surgical_outcomes_a_systematic_review https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6495463_The_dynamics_of_neurobehavioural_recovery_following_sleep_loss https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article-abstract/20/4/267/2732104?redirectedFrom=PDF https://www.researchgate.net/publication/49656992_Research_needs_and_opportunities_for_reducing_the_adverse_safety_consequences_of_fatigue https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/eng-2022-0411/pdf https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/indhealth/47/5/47_5_518/_pdf… Continue reading Compendium: Sleep & Fatigue Risk Management
Death at Dreamworld: Ten pathways to disaster and failure to learn
This paper from Sarah Gregson and Michael Quinlan applies his ten pathways framework to the Dreamworld accident in 2016, killing four people. I’ve skipped a lot. [** Yes, hindsight and outcome biases are present with this type of analysis, as with my own auditing work. Doesn’t mean there isn’t value in exploring learning opportunities, but… Continue reading Death at Dreamworld: Ten pathways to disaster and failure to learn
Unveiling Untapped Potential: Leveraging Accident Narratives for Enhanced Construction Safety Management
This study explored the value and insights derived from investigation reports, comparing tabulated data vs extracted narratives. It was interested in what sorts of trends and insights about risk factors could be derived from either data stream. Their method to extract the info was tested against 400 OSHA reports. For context: · Tabular data is… Continue reading Unveiling Untapped Potential: Leveraging Accident Narratives for Enhanced Construction Safety Management
1910 Pittsburgh Survey challenging worker ‘carelessness’ as main ’cause’ of accidents
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
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”
SafetyInsights.org 