Behavioural economics applied to health and safety

The HSE has published a report authored by University of Liverpool and MBS on behavioural economics.

This is very welcome; the view of 'human error' in the safety community has been very limited, and this research may bring about a wider view of error. There is quite a sizeable collection of literature.

Surprising omissions include James Montier and Michael Mauboussin. Being academics, they do not seem to have a good handle on the range of decisions that affect safety (workplace = overalls + people not as bright as us), and the recommendations are the inevitable ones for more research rather than application.

Despite these limitations, it is an extremely welcome publication.

Reliable Judgements

Delighted to see the Safety Critical Systems Club talking about reliability of judgements.

This is critical. Judgements by senior designers, managers, assessors is where the big mistakes get stopped, and where they happen. The topic has received very little attention, given its importance.

I wonder how much of James Montier's work they have transferred from the financial sector? How far into the J/DM literature have they probed?

There was a very nice piece recently transferring sports psychology to the financial sector, aimed at making dealing more reliable. The 'Rules' could be readily adapted into a really useful aide-memoire.

However, I don't propose to try and sell theSafety Critical Systems community a meteor.