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Showing posts from February, 2025

Should H&S professional follow the money?

  Following the Money: A Critical Analysis for H&S Professionals The adage "follow the money" has long been associated with uncovering hidden motives and understanding the driving forces behind various actions. This advice is particularly relevant in the realm of health and safety (H&S), where financial considerations often intersect with ethical obligations and the well-being of workers. This report delves into the complex relationship between finance and H&S, exploring the validity of "following the money" in this context, while considering its potential benefits, drawbacks, and ethical implications. As an organization committed to ensuring safety, opportunity, and health for all communities 1 , we recognize the critical role that H&S professionals play in protecting workers and fostering a culture of safety. It is important to understand that managing H&S is a multifaceted endeavor with moral, legal, and financial dimensions 2 . Employers have...

The biggest paradoxes in health and safety

The Biggest Paradoxes in Health and Safety Health and safety is a field dedicated to protecting people from harm. It seems straightforward, but within this field lie some intriguing paradoxes. These paradoxes challenge our assumptions about safety and highlight the complex interplay between human behavior, risk perception, and safety outcomes. This article delves into the biggest paradoxes in health and safety, exploring their implications and offering strategies for navigating these complexities. Paradox 1: Safer Doesn't Always Mean Safer One of the most fundamental paradoxes in health and safety is the observation that making things safer can sometimes lead to increased risk-taking behavior. This phenomenon occurs when people feel an increased sense of security and consequently become less cautious, potentially negating the intended benefits of safety measures 1 . This can be further explained by understanding that safety measures should not only focus on reducing hazards but als...