The Safety of Work

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

Discover why individuals often ignore safety rules, despite knowing them. The conversation dives into a 2007 study that uncovers the real reasons behind rule-breaking. It explores the balance between compliance and worker initiative in critical situations. Insights from frontline workers reveal that it's not always ignorance driving violations, but rather complex decision-making processes. Additionally, the interplay between strict regulations and practical realities is examined, highlighting the need for organizations to adapt their safety practices.

Explore the intriguing world of behavioral safety interventions and their effectiveness in the workplace. Discover why tracking safety can be challenging and how emotional connections play a crucial role. Unpack findings from a thorough review of the construction industry, revealing the importance of aligning theories with practical applications. Delve into the mixed results of interventions and the call for more rigorous research to validate these safety strategies.

Welcome to an introduction to our new podcast, Safety of Work. In this podcast we will discuss how safety works. We aim to provide listeners with examples of safety processes that exist in the real world and how they can use those processes in their own lives.Topics:Safety comes from operational work.How safety works at work.The goal and the means of safety are different.What to expect from each forthcoming episode.Our goals for this podcast.David is a career safety professional.Drew is a computer systems engineer by training.Quotes:“We don’t want to be disconnected from the safety of work; we want to be closely linked in…”“We want to help our listeners demystify, devolve, and declutter safety.”“...There’s a lot of things that safety people do, which have legitimate purposes, that are not directly geared at safety of work.”Resources:Feedback@safetyofwork.comDisastercast