Changing Safety's Paradigms

Book excerpt: Fueled by more than 40 years in the safety industry and having conducted thousands of interviews with managers and workers worldwide, Ron C. McKinnon confronts the safety industry's most prevalent and most dangerous myths head-on in Changing Safety's Paradigms. This book lists the most prominent safety paradigms, or myths, seen all over the world and gives advice on how they can be changed for the better. Around the world, the work injury rate is increasing, and more and more people are been killed at work each year. Man-made disasters continue to occur, and all are the result of accidents, or undesired events. One of the reasons why safety is not improving is because it is surrounded by numerous myths. These paradigms hamper the progress of safety in the workplace. Only by identifying and examining these misconceptions can progress in the reduction of accidental losses be made. Numerous case studies and true to life examples in Changing Safety's Paradigms give insight into how safety myths can be changed. No other book has been written about safety's paradigms and how to change them since many others do not want to challenge the status quo or rock the boat. Changing Safety's Paradigms tackles issues in a practical manner and provides advice and guidance that can be applied immediately in the workplace. These recommendations will result in a more focused safety management system and a reduction in the number of accidents.