By A Web Design
I have recently published an article on the application of systems thinking concepts in accident analysis. The article is published in Safety Science available via ScienceDirect. The paper includes a discussion on the Bellevue fire in Western Australia.
Anyone interested in the article can contact me.
Rasmussen (1997) mentioned that one of the key things in accident prevention is to identify the “behaviour shaping mechanisms”. What causes persons at the front end to do what they do to cause accident? Why was it logical to do things that they do?
If you have worked in a large organisation before you might have had the feeling that the organisation is frequently implementing rules, buying new safety equipment, and getting staff to go through certain safety training to help improve the safety performance of the organisation. However, how many of such “fixes” actually improve safety performance? Take a look at this website for a system archetype called “Fixes That Fail”.
Six sigma is a systematic approach to improvement. See here for some introduction. One of the basic models used in six sigma improvement projects is DMAIC model: Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control. This basic model can be easily applied to safety management.
Found this article from E. Scott Geller’s website: http://www.safetyperformance.com/pdf/Articles/1997/SystemsThinkingforSafety.pdf
Don’t see much work in applying systems thinking concepts in safety and health. I think much more can be done in this area.
