Safety, Culture and Risk
The Organisational Causes of Disasters
By: Andrew Hopkins
Safety management in the workplace is an issue of critical importance to business managers as well as those responsible for OHS in any organisation.However, although the concepts of safety, culture and risk have become increasing matters of concern and are often discussed, they are concepts that are not often clearly understood.This new book from Professor Andrew Hopkins focuses on these concepts, and deals with the complex issues in a clear, informative style that will both inform organisations and companies, and assist them to be better able to create safe environments for their employees and clients, and to mitigate risk.Content:The first three parts of the book advocate the development of risk-awareness. Part 1 is a general discussion of organisational culture.Part 2 is an empirical investigation of how organisational culture affects safety, using the Glenbrook train crash as a case study.Part 3 is a second case study of how organisational culture interfered with safety, focussing on the F111 inquiry at Amberley Air Force Base, Queensland.Part 4 is an extended discussion of the concept of risk, dealing with issues such as the assumption that risk can be objectively measured; the current view that risk is a product of likelihood and severity; the conflict between "acceptable risk" and "as low as reasonably practical" ; the tendency of risk management to become risk spreading rather than risk reduction; and the confusion between risk and hazard.Oxford University Press Australia & New Zealand is the non-exclusive distributor of this title.?
AI Overview
"Safety, Culture and Risk" by Andrew Hopkins is a book that delves into the critical aspects of safety management within organizations, focusing on the organizational causes of disasters. Here is a comprehensive overview of the book:
Key Themes
- Safety Culture: The book explores the concept of safety culture, which is essential for creating a safe working environment. It discusses how organizational culture influences safety practices and behaviors.
- Risk Management: The author examines various risk management strategies, including the importance of Quantitative Risk Assessments (QRAs) and the ALARP principle (As Low As Reasonably Practicable). These concepts are crucial for identifying and mitigating potential hazards.
- Organizational Causes of Disasters: The book analyzes the underlying organizational factors that contribute to accidents and disasters. It provides case studies and frameworks to understand these causes, such as Mindful Leadership and Collective Awareness.
- Leadership and Awareness: It emphasizes the role of leadership in fostering a safety-conscious culture and the need for collective awareness among employees to prevent accidents.
Plot Summary
The book is structured to provide a clear and informative exploration of the complex issues surrounding safety, culture, and risk. It begins by setting the context for why safety management is a critical concern for organizations. The author then delves into the organizational causes of disasters, using case studies to illustrate how these causes can lead to accidents.
The book includes a chapter on QRAs and ALARP, which are particularly relevant in today's safety environment. It also discusses the importance of mindful leadership and collective awareness in preventing accidents. The author aims to provide practical insights that can assist organizations in creating safer environments.
Critical Reception
The book has received positive reviews from readers and scholars alike:
- Goodreads Reviews: The book has been rated highly on Goodreads, with one reviewer describing it as "an easy to read and solid book that explores various concepts on safety, culture and risk" .
- Deakin University Library: The book is praised for its clear and informative style, which makes it useful for organizations seeking to improve their safety management practices .
- Taylor & Francis Online: The book is noted for its conversational and unfussy style, making it accessible to both theoretically inclined practitioners and practically minded scholars .
Overall, "Safety, Culture and Risk" by Andrew Hopkins is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the organizational causes of disasters and improving safety management practices within their organization. Its clear and informative style, coupled with its practical insights, make it a highly recommended read for business managers and OHS professionals.