Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
costs are calculated before actual behavior starts; only a few benefits
can be experienced later. People who are very sensitive to instant
results have problems connecting long-term effects to previous behav-
ior. The stronger this tendency is, the greater the probabilities that
unsafe behavior is taken for granted.
5.1.2 Unbalance 2: Differences in Visibility
The second unbalance is a problem within the visibility of feedback of
safety behavior. Costs of safe behavior are much more visible and tan-
gible than rewards. This perspective makes it sometimes difficult to
directly attribute the reached safety level to a specific behavior.
We always experience the safety cost but seldom realize the benefits.
These two unbalances together explain why safety management
constantly needs to be supported with additional energy. The system
itself is not self-supporting. We can compare it with the image of the
sandglass: You have to turn the glass before all the sand reaches the
ground. Once the glass has been turned around, it will work again for
a while, but if you forget it, the sandglass will stop at an unexpected
moment. This condition is called a hygienic condition: You only start
to notice it when you are not taking care.
Case 1
The operator feels pressurized by the fact that the mechanics will be
waiting for him for the duration of the two-minute walk to the car.
Skipping the walk will
speed up the process and is directly
