I wanted to offer some constructive critisism on the site and I am really only talking about the asthetics and website functionality.

I find since you changed themes, the format is not working well on my system (IE8.0) and the left margin seems to hang over on top of the centre (main story) margin. Just wanted to let you know.

The content is as always interesting.

I personally do not like the expression ‘best guess’ preferring instead ‘educated guess’ as it implies the inclusion of insight. Semantics, perhaps, but when the weight of words plays such an importance in how intent is interpreted, such details are important. Interpretation of such information is also important and context is really the driver here. Should you err on the side of caution? or ignore such incomplete information?

With respect to the subjective nature of risk management, this is the basis for ALL qualitative risk assessment systems. even those that claim to be semi-quantative simply apply a value to a subjective choice. Employing a quantative risk management system is simply too expensive for most employers with respect to OH&S. The magnitude of such assessments is simply out of the reach of most. For higher risk applications there are better tools to use such as HAZOP or FMEA but even these still employ subjectivity to identify failure modes.

The filter for this information, as you say is indeed the risk facilitator. Being a facilitator can be an arduous task. There are many facets to the skills involved, and only some of these are obtained with formal training / qualifications. It is their job to ensure that the right people are involved, and that their contributions are interpreted correctly. This also includes looking into any ‘gut feelings’ that may be presented and to try and establish the cause and effect behind them.

‘Trust you instincts’. ‘Follow your gut’. There are good reasons why such expressions are commonly recited and whilst we may not understand why, there is often value in heeding such feelings. How many times have you heard (with respect to accidents) ‘I could see it happening’, or ‘I thought something was wrong’. Gut feelings or insight as it is correctly called is not something to be ignored.

The issue of driver era needs to be addressed as I still see drivers with no helmuts and using the bikes in areas that is unsafe…in my mind the name “all terain vechile” needs to be changed as these bikes should only be used on flat areas rather than in the hills.

Some still use the bikes for all the wrong reasons..like joyriding or taking passengers…

At 8kg, the bars are so light they can hardly alter the centre of gravity and their footprint is tiny, especially when compared to the surface area of an upturned quad that the idea of extra pinch points is nothing short of idiocy in my view.

In other words, the US research was never compelling to me because the objections it raised were patently silly to anyone in my position. And at the end of the day, it’s my farm, my family and my employees at stake.

Kevin. In Australian industry – across the board – over the last 10 years or so risk assessment and risk management have been unashamedly used to slow down improvements. More times than not. Check what Prof. Quinlan and coroner Chandler wrote about the Beaconsfield rock fall to get a sense of what I mean. Check what was said about Longford explosions and fires in Victoria after all the risk assessment etc. embroidery.

The notion of ‘twitches’ and intuitions is very important but so is the fact that the process associated with risk assessment/management is terribly corrupt in real life. “You ought to move that drum full of formaldehyde away from the door to the lunch room” is greeted with a sincere-looking “You have a point, we’ll immediately conduct a risk assessment. Thankyou for bringing it to our attention!”

Spock had integrity, even during must!

That is why I have always advocated embracing the subjective and incorporating it into risk management and decision-making. In keeping with the initial science fiction reference, Spock was a better person when he acknowledged and used his humanity than holding rigidly to the teachings of Vulcan.

(Oh dear, my geek is showing)

One risk with this approach is that it can become ageist and elitist. Intuiition is partly gained through experience but there must already be a little bit of wisdom for intuition to build and improve. I don’t see wisdom as age related. (In fact, I would proobably more likely see bigotry and intolerance as more related to age) In some people there is a confluence of attitudes, skills, knowledge and wisdom that increase the accuracy and reliability of the gut feeling.

As OHS and risk professionals it is part of our job to encourage everyone to achieve that useful, practical and progressive confluence.

I note there is a Death Star Threat Modelling lecture on Youtube but of more interest is the article “Death Star Should be Closed Due to Lack of Safety Features“.

Of course who can forget”Make It So: Leadership Lessons from Star Trek the Next Generation“.

To manage risk, statistics give us an objective background, if they are comprehensive and true! e.g. not eveyone report incidents and often they can be ‘coded’ incorrectly.

Gut feeling comes from exposure/experience to various incidents, as much as it does from intuition. Everyone possesses intuition (whether you are male or female)!

Gut feeling probably developed in us as children, when we assessed whether climbing a tree or riding a bicycle was a risk, after the hairs stood up on the back of our necks. This is training.

I see no disadvantage to approaching risk assesment with both stats, industry experience and training, even that training from childhood.

The next step is consultation with those doing the work and experts, to get a rounded knowledge, to approach risk management and the development of controls.