Episode Summary
Could what we perceive as the bedrock of workplace safety be merely an illusion? Safety audits are supposed to be our safeguard, but Ben Hutchinson, PhD student from the Safety Science Innovation Lab at Griffith University, is here to shatter some long-held beliefs. Ben is a National HSEQ Manager, Fatigue Specialist and Exercise Physiologist with a focus on adaptive and system principles – including system safety. He brings to light the potential gap between the comforting assurance of ‘safety protocols’ and the stark reality of their execution in the workplace. Our discussion traverses the terrain of his research, dissecting the effectiveness of safety management plans and audits, and revealing the unsettling prevalence of “fantasy documents” that promise more than they deliver.
Episode Notes
Ben’s expertise guides us through an analysis of audit reports and accident investigations, laying bare the counterfactual reasoning that often skews post-incident narratives. It’s an eye-opening examination that calls for a reimagined approach to audits, one that aligns with the genuine complexities of organizational culture and safety. Together, we confront the silent failure of safety audits and management systems, debating the need for a fundamental shift in how these are designed and conducted to truly protect workers. Join us for this critical dialogue that challenges preconceptions and seeks to reforge the link between safety audits and the real work of keeping people safe.
Discussion Points:
- Ben’s background and papers authored
- The reality of safety audits
- Safety plans – often perceived as comfort, not change
- Documentation versus actual safety
- “Audit masquerade” reveals gaps between theory and practice
- Examination of 327 audit corrective actions and their efficacy
- Administrative intentions vs. practical safety
- The weak connection between audits and physical safety improvements
- Concerns about evaluating work practices
- Audits can ‘fail silently’, giving false security assurance
- Practical steps for ensuring audit effectiveness
- A critical examination of safety management systems
Takeaways:
- Ben’s answer to our episode’s question is, “Possibly, but it depends.”
Resources:
Paper: Audit masquerade: How audits provide comfort rather than treatment for serious safety problems
Paper: How audits fail according to accident investigations: A counterfactual logic analysis
The Safety of Work on LinkedIn