WhyWork Podcast

Season 03 Episode 12: "To PPE or not to PPE?" asks Sara. No matter the philosophy driving work practice, a business is always tested at the pointy end of the law when the boundaries of work, health, and safety are pushed. The team debate the mandates for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Sara and Alan argue the logic of context and circumstance driving the consideration. Trajce assumes the role of the zealous prosecutor and exclaims that if the sign instructs wear of PPE, one must comply. "Do you always follow the rules, Trajce, just because they are written?" she teases, and concedes that she is not one to often follow the rules because she hardly trusts most of the thought processes of the people that engineered the rules - she challenges everything (almost)! Alan laments the use of hardhats when nothing is likely to fall from the sky, and Trajce explains a case in which obesity saved a man's life in absence of the correct PPE. The team carry the conversation into the milieu of the home office environment. "Do you have a fire extinguisher and blanket at home?" Sara asks, "Duck and dive, go low," says Trajce, equipped with such home office provisions. Sara admits that she is more familiar with the Dodgeball movie mantra to "Dodge, duck, dive, dip, and dodge!" Thank you for proposing this topic, Dr Elise Crawford of CQUniversity.

Season 03 Episode 11: WARNING: This episode discusses a fatality. The team lament the phenomenon of media reporting in an article about the public strain caused by grocery delivery delays. The cause of the delays was a fatality in a national grocer's distribution and warehouse centre. "It's not about the Brussels sprouts," says Alan. Trajce is infuriated, "What about the fatality?" he asks, "I've read far too many victim impact statements to take any of this lightly." Sara presents the idea of a High Reliability Organisation which is characterised by a preoccupation with failure, a reluctance to simplify, sensitivity to operations, commitment to resilience, and deference to the right expertise at the right time that it is needed. She contends that organisations often rationalise their comfort with average performance by linking their readiness to a mid-par rank on an arbitrary maturity scale. Sara advocates for "think great, act great now," by recognising that there are emergent properties of adaptive systems and organisations can leapfrog past complacency and jump into great projects or far more improved systems with the right framework and orientation to success through human factors approaches.

Season 03 Episode 10: WARNING: content on the influence of sex and culture on workplace boundaries is discussed in this episode. "We're back to sexual boundaries!" Sara exclaims. "We never left," Trajce concedes. Trajce presents the influence of Foucault's post modernistic views on our understanding of the 'Triad of Influence: Power, Knowledge, and Truth' ."The mix of knowledge and power creates a truth when espoused as fact by a politician, medical specialist, or famous person in a privileged position," explains Trajce, "and it is most alarming when these people leverage these influences to execute nefarious deeds or satisfy sexual needs." Alan clarifies, "In these cases, sexual coercion may be used as an expression of dominance and power." Trajce prompts the team to reflect on the 1943 'Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, a Theory of Motivation' and suggest that this negates the discussion on sex as a motivator for action, yet sex is primal, fundamental, and likely a behavioural driver influencing many activities that should be considered in the workplace. "Those in the most elite positions find that their poor behaviour is permissible," says Sara, The team reflect on the phenomenon of precarious masculinity, a reaction of aggression if an idea of manhood is threatened. Trajce explains caselaw when there are transgressions that are sexual in nature by those who are in a position of power. Sara reflects on the 'God complex' and how workplace culture can reinforce ideas through confirmation bias. For more on sex in the workplace, listen to Season 01 Episode 02: Avatars, Bees, and Sex, and Season 02 Episode 09: Quid pro quo: Go hard, go prosecutorial. For more on workplaces that trade on sex, listen to Season 02 Episode 05: It's cougar time, and Season 02 Episode 06: Mi casa es su casa .

Season 03 Episode 09: "Men can be challenged by their role expectations in society," Alan reasons. Sara asks the boys to define 'precarious manhood.' She presents the idea of a pervasive culture of masculinity, in sport, at work, and in relationships. "The idea of 'bigger, better, and rougher' can be aspirational," Trajce presents. Sara argues that there are oodles of research studies showing that these reinforced behaviours can manifest and cause stress, anxiety, and violence. "In the court room, both parties can lose dignity, and court should be considered a last resort to resolve a dispute," Alan remarks. He recounts a case that describes the pattern of fighting and make-up sex between a couple which can be considered in the context of precarious manhood because of the linkage to aggression and primitive ownership framed by sex. As a practical strategy, Sara describes a method to disclose point-in-time energy levels to negotiate a pattern of communication and support needed in relationships and to manage expectations. The boys laugh about the idea of the unicorn in dating conventions. "I wouldn't know anything about that," protests Trajce, "They are just mythical creatures to me!"

Season 03 Episode 08: The boys query the symbolism of the size of the truck. "The bigger the truck, the smaller the..." muses Sara. "Supersize me! Raptor, Ram," Trajce rolls the names across his tongue with a guttural snarl. A truck and its accessories are one's identity, a sign of masculinity, and status for some owners. "The history of the Ute (a utility vehicle) is a symbol of Australia," reminisces Trajce, "the Ute and the cattle dog. “Trajce and Alan reflect on the loss of loads from a truck bed, "That sphincter just closes as the realisation hits you that things are going wrong, waaayy wrong," imagines Sara (met by the giggles of the boys). Sara shares stories about the award-winning re-design of a heavy vehicle, a heat-in-transit bitumen trailer. The issues of fatigue when driving are debated, with consideration of the emerging shift from FIFO (fly-in-fly-out) to LILO (log-in-log-out). For more on fatigue, driving, and road range, listen to S01 E08: Tired workers are deadly weapons, or no sleep disorders and work travel, S02 E07: 4 Men and Women 2: Nighstalker Fright Night . Thank you to our subscriber, Michele Safely, who asked about driving and fatigue.

Season 03 Episode 07: WARNING: Fatalities are discussed in this episode."I didn't really read the article, I just looked at the pictures," admits Trajce. Alan and Sara burst into fits of laughter while Sara admits that she reads the comics before the news. Sara recounts a tale of tennis players who recall the play-by-play points of their matches, even those played 20 years ago. She asks, "How do you temper the passion that is required of a world class winner when behaviours can be deemed to be aggressive by regulators?" The team link this discussion to the idea of thrill-seeking risk behaviour in exploration expeditions like the June 2023 Titanic Submersible. This unfortunate expedition led to a catastrophic high-pressure underwater implosion and the deaths of all five explorers. Alan asks, "What were the fail-safe provisions that were made?" Sara explains a research topic on off-the-road tyre handling and the visual storytelling that was developed to prompt design improvements. Alan, Trajce, and Sara explore their new lexicon of the A-E-I-O-U of design and work health and safety. "Visual storytelling through a lens of design makes occupational health and safety vibrant and, dare I say it, even sexy?" Trajce provokes.

Season 03 Episode 06: WARNING: Fatalities are discussed in this episode.Trajce regales the story of the octopus ride at the amusement park: its carriage uncoupled from the main support arm and slid down side show alley. "Are you serious?" asks Sara, "That is out of a movie.""A guilty plea, mea culpa," says Trajce. "You know what was missing?" he asks, "human factors were not factored (into the risk assessments)."Alan, Sara, and Trajce challenge the idea of foreseeable risks of excitable children at amusement parks. Alan relays details of the 2016 Gold Coast Dreamworld Thunder River Rapids ride fatalities. Sara describes the human factors demands on ride operators revealed by the investigations. She explains that during times of stress, attentional focus can narrow, and our recall can diminish. Sara argues her case (again) for the work design strategist at a C-Suite executive level to provide an integrated whole-of-business approach to good work design. Alan commends the work of the work health safety inspectors who must be confronted by these investigations, and the sensitivities that are required to determine the nuanced and complex arrangement of factors that contribute to horrific accidents. "We accept risk if we have an emotional attachment to something (like a thrill ride)," says Alan.

Season 03 Episode 05: WARNING - fatalities are discussed. Alan explains the current court case concerning the Whakaari / White Island volcano and discusses thrill-based recreational activities that can subject tourists to catastrophic events. "The island was smouldering like a magic dragon," Sara elaborates. "I've been there!" exclaims Trajce. Trajce recounts his motivation to visit Whakaari by chartered helicopter and the out-of-this-world experiences where the lava looked like neon ooze from outer space. The team debate the cultural approaches to risk-taking and the thrill of it all in sport and recreation. Trajce explains that 'violenti non fit injuria', a voluntary acceptance of risk, is not often upheld in the courts. Sara challenges, "How do you really prepare people for the risk realities?" as she relays a sibling teenage escapae made for American college movies.

Season 03 Episode 04: We ask: "Who is at the heartbeat of your organisation?" In healthcare, that is often the nurse. Alan, Trajce, and Sara review complaints that were made by nursing staff to the regulator when hospital management announced their fitout of a nurses' station that would remove a counter barrier. "It must be more than just a counter to stir such emotion," says Sara, though she reminds the boys of the power of environmental design. Alan acknowledges the symbolism of a counter as a barrier to mitigate the escalation of occupational violence. Trajce demands decisions as he role plays the job of the hospital executive director. Alan implores managers to ask direct questions of workers to uncover their needs or concerns. Trajce just wants to know if he'll get some Brooklyn donuts, though he must hide them from his wife given her 'no sugar' mantra (the donuts will be his escape from the 'not-quite-cherry-ripes'). This episode prompts consideration of the Australian Work Health and Safety Act 2011, section 46 and section 47 (on 'consultation'). Thank you to subscriber Neil Logan of New South Wales, Australia, who nominated the case about the built environment in a psychiatric ward and the staff's perceived safety protections arising from the station counter.

Season 03 Episode 03 Reflects on early, childhood career interests and extends the Season 02 discussions on getting along with our colleagues. "Work is work." says Trajce, "but within that work construct... we must essentially get along." Alan contends that respect must be upheld in social relations at work, whether you like someone or not! (Very diplomatic, Alan). Sara considers whether an open plan office constrains social engagement among work colleagues versus the professional mock "dating app" to get to know others at work. She extends that discussion to envision a design strategies curates design partnerships (among conventional designers) and cultivates design thinking within the organisation.

Warning: This episode refers to vicarious trauma and suicide in the workplace. Season 03 Episode 02 reflects on vicarious trauma in the workplace. Alan recaps on mental health first aid programming and the boundaries around that service scope requiring effective referrals to qualified and trained healthcare professionals. When the crew consider their work from home ideals, Sara dreams of her backyard spa, sauna, and wet kitchen for more outdoor living. Trajce lowers the bar and dreams of a damn good coffee machine, scratch that, he reverts to an 'all-you-can-eat' buffet. Alan agrees with Sara's position on considering fatigue in the workplace. "I love being right!" Sara says through the giggles.

“The stripper keeps coming back, straight out of the bottle,” says Alan. "You do not carve another man's turkey," is the meme entertained by Sara, as she reflects on a work party gone wrong. There were no boundaries and no planning, and the staff was teaming with Maslow's hierarchy of primal needs: hunger! "Does the prawn want to be peeled?" asks Trajce. Alan, Sara, and Trajce discuss the skills of a psychologist who can deescalate emotionally charged scenarios and help regain control of social situations. Trajce pontificates, “Power can be conveyed and transmuted through tribal culture and tradition, through the legal rational forms of bureaucracy, and through charismatic leadership qualities and personage.”

Let's reflect on Season 02: Sports field and work from anywhere, Season 02 Episode 03, 'What is life really like in sport and s-e-... Okay, just sport', and Season 02 Episode 04, 'The safey of sport without losing the spirit of sport',

WhyNOT - This Wisdom Shot begs operational managers to contextualise work strategies and ensure that they are not hazard hunting - identifying psychosocial hazards without understanding the vulnerable population and the context of work. This extends Season 02 Episode 13: An upstanding citizen with salmon in his pocket.

Get ready: Theme parks, White Island Whakaari disaster in New Zealand, transport, workplace culture, healthcare, and more - let's get started. Coming your way soon.

This WhyNOT kernel of wisdom reminds us that workplace law prevails in all manners of workplaces, including brothels, from Season 02 Episode 05: It's Cougar Time and Season 02 Episode 06: Mi Casa es su Casa. "We cannot shy away from the difficult or discomfiting topics," Alan reminds us.

New season 3 jingle, more laughter, and some serious stuff coming your way soon. Listen in.

WhyNOT: A wisdom-shot, wicked-wisdom kernels of insight to prop good work design in your business! This pearl of wisdom encourages you to engage a human factors specialist anytime you work may be designed or redesigned, in any work setting or context of work. A take-away bonus soundbyte from Season 02 Episode 12: Space-o-Rama .

WhyNOT Wisdom Shot: Work-from-anywhere in all settings. This kernel of wisdom reminds listeners that anywhere, anytime, anyhow work happens with anyone involved, the unexpected could happen. The boundaries get bigger, but work design must be considered. This is an extension of Season 02 Episode 02: It's Hollywood, and it's a gas.

WhyNOT Wisdom Shot: Season 02 Episode 06: Manual task risk management - this wisdom shot extends Season 02 Episode 06: Mi Casa es su Casa. It challenges subscribers to get back to basics and be a sleuth to follow the evidence (whether assessing workers in a brothel, on the moon, on the sports field, or in an industrial environment).