The Safety of Work

We use the papers, Zero Accident, Vision-Based Strategies in Organizations; Zero Vision, Enlightenment, and Religion; and UK Construction Safety: A Zero Paradox to frame our discussion. Tune in to hear what we think!Topics:The concept of zero-harm.The pros and cons of a zero-harm approach.When management makes safety-focused decisions.Can zero-harm lead to distorted reporting?Can you accurately compare zero and non-zero groups in a study?Quotes:“Yes: Every individual accident, there’s ways that we can find that it could have been avoided, but do we think that we can run a national road network and never kill anyone?”“I think we have to keep in mind that if you’re not going to do quantitative evaluation research, then the conclusions that you draw can’t be quantitatively evaluated conclusions.”“Over the study period, the zero group had four fatalities and the non-zero group had no fatalities.” Resources:Zwetsloot, G. I., Kines, P., Wybo, J. L., Ruotsala, R., Drupsteen, L., & Bezemer, R. A. (2017). Zero Accident Vision based strategies in organisations: Innovative perspectives. Safety science, 91, 260-268.Dekker, S. (2017). Zero commitment: commentary on Zwetsloot et al., and Sherratt and Dainty. Policy and Practice in Health and Safety, 15(2), 124-130.Zwetsloot, G. (2017). Vision Zero: promising perspectives and implementation failures. A commentary on the papers by Sherratt and Dainty, and Dekker. Policy and Practice in Health and Safety, 15(2), 120-123.Sherratt, F., & Dainty, A. R. (2017). UK construction safety: a zero paradox?. Policy and Practice in Health and Safety, 15(2), 108-116.Sherratt, F., & Dainty, A. R. (2017). Responses to the vision zero articles. Policy and Practice in Health and Safety, 15(2), 117-119.Dekker, S. W., Long, R., & Wybo, J. L. (2016). Zero vision and a Western salvation narrative. Safety science, 88, 219-223.Dekker, S. (2017). Zero Vision: enlightenment and new religion. Policy and Practice in Health and Safety, 15(2), 101-107.Feedback@safetyofwork.com

This discussion delves into the tangled trade-offs between safety and production in high-risk industries, particularly fishing. It examines how decision-making is influenced by operational goals and risk management. The importance of resilience over traditional safety measures is emphasized, along with the impact of performance-based payment systems. The need for effective simulation training in skill development and risk management is also highlighted, showcasing both its advantages and the challenges faced in implementation.

Workers often hesitate to stop unsafe tasks despite evident risks. The podcast delves into how focus groups can reveal these complexities while also wrestling with challenges like groupthink. It emphasizes the crucial role of supervisors in fostering a supportive safety culture. Empowering workers through open communication is key to navigating safety decisions. Additionally, it highlights the need for flexible work planning to adapt to dynamic situations, ensuring safety remains a priority in high-pressure environments.

We use the 2019 paper, Safety in Numbers, to frame this week’s discussion.Topics:The amount of exposure increases the amount of risk.Safety in Numbers is a 2019 update to a 2017 paper of the same name.Why you should get down and dirty with the numbers.Be careful about what stats do and don’t tell you.How volume affects risk potential.Rate vs. raw number.How our systems encourage familiarity with risk.Quotes:“A lot of statistically dodgy stuff gets published in some very, very good journals and some otherwise very good authors.”“When something is psuedo-science, you tend to find that there are some studies that say that it works...until the very best studies show that the effect doesn’t work at all.”“Whenever you use a concept of a rate instead of a raw number, you are assuming a linear relationship.”Resources:Elvik, R., & Goel, R. (2019). Safety-in-numbers: An updated meta-analysis of estimates. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 129, 136-147.Feedback@safetyofwork.com

The discussion unveils the evolution and complexities of risk matrices as decision-making tools. Critics highlight their tendency to oversimplify risk, often prioritizing administrative needs over genuine assessment. Experiments reveal inconsistencies in individuals' risk perception. A novel Two-Box Matrix approach is introduced, focusing on actionable versus non-actionable risks. The hosts urge a reevaluation of traditional risk assessment methods, emphasizing the importance of direct risk reduction strategies to enhance safety and effective decision-making.

Dive into the intriguing connection between safety leadership beliefs and practices. Discover how perceptions impact behaviors in workplace safety. The challenges of aligning research questions with effective survey design are discussed. Insights from a large survey of offshore managers reveal gaps between beliefs and real-world applications. The role of leadership styles in shaping safety culture is examined, emphasizing the importance of communication and motivation in enhancing workplace safety.

The podcast dives into the hidden dangers of accepting low tender bids in construction. It reveals how cutting costs can jeopardize safety, leading to subpar protective equipment and inexperienced labor. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding contractor dynamics and financial structures. Insights from ethnographic research highlight the delicate balance between saving money and ensuring safety. It's a call to action for clients and contractors alike to rethink their tender evaluations to prioritize worker well-being over mere financial savings.

Explore the intriguing idea that embracing uncertainty may actually enhance safety practices. The discussion examines how rigid safety norms can blind organizations to hidden risks, using major accidents as case studies. Learn about the importance of maintaining diverse perspectives for better decision-making. The conversation challenges the balance between flexibility and control, advocating for a culture that encourages open dialogue. Discover how adapting safety protocols can lead to more effective risk management in complex environments.

In this insightful discussion, a knowledgeable doctor delves into the nuanced relationship between trust and safety in the workplace. Explore how excessive trust can lead to complacency, while too much distrust fosters a toxic environment. The conversation draws on research highlighting the balance needed for effective safety practices and communication. Real-world examples, including the Boeing 737 MAX incident, illustrate the complexities of trust dynamics. Discover actionable strategies for building trust that can significantly enhance safety climates.

Topics:We often talk about how leaders affect safety, but we never think of the team.Using the research paper Improving Safety Culture Through the Health and Safety Organization as a framework for this discussion.Getting a baseline measure before making any changes.What makes a good quantitative experiment.The findings of the research paper and what it tells us.How to be a role model for safety interactions.Quotes:“We heavily rely on and almost solely rely on line managers in the organization to influence, create change and affect the organizational safety climate.”“It’s really tempting to reduce safety to measurable indicators…”“I think there are some things that we can, practically, learn from this [study].”Resources:Nielsen, K. J. (2014). Improving safety culture through the health and safety organization: A case study. Journal of safety research, 48, 7-17.Feedback@safetyofwork.com