26th March 2011, 12:27 AM
(This post was last modified: 26th March 2011, 01:16 AM by GnomeKing.)
Indeed - real safety systems/structures/mentalities, not just bits of paper....
Verily: something 'turning up' unexpectedly is one half of the definition of accident - the other is when safety systems have been ignored/abused/poorly constructed.
Dino is right in this;- 'over zealous' or deliberately disingenuous application of OHS guidelines to stop excavation can coincide remarkably with problematic/complex archaeology that is just beyond the initial budget/deadline (oh, lawks-a-mercy, its too deep/it could be toxic/cant justify the shoring/proper kit etc. - will just have to leave it there... (shhh.... phew,just a well eh?))
i guess it swings both ways - i think it is critical to move beyond bits of paper and noddy training courses, and foster real attitudes and structures of Accountability and Responsibility, in all aspects of work :OHS, CPD, pay and conditions, hierarchies etc.
Modern OHS has improved safety - however i think it may be possible to analyse more cynically as well;
Corporate interests are well served by blurring the boundaries of risk - legislation originally aimed at serious incidents has morphed over time to cover nearly any mundane everyday task....
a)workers are too busy 'being safe' to be 'discontent'...
b)excellent market potential for 'safety' hawksters
c) distinctions between risks become blurred - nothing is really safe - a strangely Existential and Relativistic Post-Modern Philosophy, for such a bureaucratic outfit as the HSE - but the real problems lie at the top end of Corporate fuck-ups and slap-overs ... (BP Oil Spill anybody?)
("With respect Sir, i know we said our Plant was Bullet-Proof , but nothing is really 100% safe is it, why sir, did you know that even climbing on that stool ,to reach that there shelf, could entail serious long term health consequences? No - then buy my Miracle COSHH Approved Safety Snake Oil, guaranteed to make any industry shine - most economical product on the market today! (warning: may not contain snake oil, and could be hazardous to health. Always read label and sign risk assessment.)
Back to Fukushima...
Could well be be that the following is true:
radiation levels in 20 mile exclusion zone now 10x higher than in equivalent 20 mile zone around Chernobyl....at 70 miles, the rate is twice as high as Chernobyl equivalent.....
UN reported deaths directly linked to Chernobyl c.9000 (?), where it took 3 days for Russia to evacuate population and set up exclusions zones (to 70 mile i think)...
Still no mass evacuation in Japan 70 mile zone, just 20 mile zone,.. and after 2 weeks...
and indisputable evidence of breached core vessels + meltdowns (ie neutron beams and fission products)
add it up...result is not good, and is till getting worse.
To echo millions of others - deep sorrow for Japan.
Verily: something 'turning up' unexpectedly is one half of the definition of accident - the other is when safety systems have been ignored/abused/poorly constructed.
Dino is right in this;- 'over zealous' or deliberately disingenuous application of OHS guidelines to stop excavation can coincide remarkably with problematic/complex archaeology that is just beyond the initial budget/deadline (oh, lawks-a-mercy, its too deep/it could be toxic/cant justify the shoring/proper kit etc. - will just have to leave it there... (shhh.... phew,just a well eh?))
i guess it swings both ways - i think it is critical to move beyond bits of paper and noddy training courses, and foster real attitudes and structures of Accountability and Responsibility, in all aspects of work :OHS, CPD, pay and conditions, hierarchies etc.
Modern OHS has improved safety - however i think it may be possible to analyse more cynically as well;
Corporate interests are well served by blurring the boundaries of risk - legislation originally aimed at serious incidents has morphed over time to cover nearly any mundane everyday task....
a)workers are too busy 'being safe' to be 'discontent'...
b)excellent market potential for 'safety' hawksters
c) distinctions between risks become blurred - nothing is really safe - a strangely Existential and Relativistic Post-Modern Philosophy, for such a bureaucratic outfit as the HSE - but the real problems lie at the top end of Corporate fuck-ups and slap-overs ... (BP Oil Spill anybody?)
("With respect Sir, i know we said our Plant was Bullet-Proof , but nothing is really 100% safe is it, why sir, did you know that even climbing on that stool ,to reach that there shelf, could entail serious long term health consequences? No - then buy my Miracle COSHH Approved Safety Snake Oil, guaranteed to make any industry shine - most economical product on the market today! (warning: may not contain snake oil, and could be hazardous to health. Always read label and sign risk assessment.)
Back to Fukushima...
Could well be be that the following is true:
radiation levels in 20 mile exclusion zone now 10x higher than in equivalent 20 mile zone around Chernobyl....at 70 miles, the rate is twice as high as Chernobyl equivalent.....
UN reported deaths directly linked to Chernobyl c.9000 (?), where it took 3 days for Russia to evacuate population and set up exclusions zones (to 70 mile i think)...
Still no mass evacuation in Japan 70 mile zone, just 20 mile zone,.. and after 2 weeks...
and indisputable evidence of breached core vessels + meltdowns (ie neutron beams and fission products)
add it up...result is not good, and is till getting worse.
To echo millions of others - deep sorrow for Japan.
