The Safety of Work David Provan

In this episode, David and Drew delve into what makes a good PowerPoint presentation. They explore the evolution of PowerPoint and its importance in modern business communication, referencing Associate Professor Mitch Ricketts' 2018 paper, "No More Bullet Points: Research-Based Tips for Better Presentations."

Safety might not be the ‘golden goose’ for business success. We unpack the complexities of workplace safety and its true impact on business performance. In a thought-provoking 2020 paper by Mark Pagell and colleagues, the delicate balance between worker safety and organizational survival is investigated. Drew voices his skepticism about the assumed benefits of safety investments, while David contemplates the long-term advantages, despite short-term sacrifices.

Join us for a special episode where we navigate the intriguing world of safety professionals viewed through the lens of literature.

Today, we celebrate Dr. David Provan’s first published paper, “Bureaucracy, influence and beliefs: A literature review of the factors shaping the role of a safety professional” by David J. Provan along with Sidney W.A. Dekker and Andrew J. Rae.

Listen in as we explore the ever-evolving field of accident investigation research, where the shift from pinpointing causes to understanding contributors is gaining traction.

Have you ever considered who shoulders the blame when technology fails us catastrophically?

Today’s paper by Dr. Katherine Elizabeth Kenny, “Blaming Deadmen: Causes, Culprits, and Chaos in Accounting for Technological Accidents” examines the complex web of causes behind technological accidents. We examine the chilling case of the Waterfall rail tragedy, unraveling the layers of human judgment, mechanical failure, and the systemic implications that ripple through our safety practices. Kenny's insights offer a transformative lens on how we perceive and address the chaos of disasters, challenging us to rethink the assumptions that underpin our search for answers.

Could the key to transforming workplace safety lie within the realm of virtual reality? In today’s episode, we explore the exciting domain of digital twins—a technological marvel with the potential to overhaul how we approach operational safety across various industries.