<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1052797658146671&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">

Robert O'Neill

Robert is the founder and OHS Consulting Practice Leader of Work Safety Hub, with more than 10 years’ experience in managing safety and risk management programs.
Find me on:

Recent Posts

Safety II - An innovative approach to managing risk in the modern world

Posted by Robert O'Neill

Screen Shot 2021-06-10 at 4.22.52 pmIn today's fast-paced and complex world, more than traditional approaches to safety is required to manage the risks that organisations face. To truly ensure safety in the modern world, organisations need a new system that is flexible, adaptable, and resilient. 

Read More

Topics: Safety Differently, Safety II

Moving from Fantasy Plans to Realistic Safety: The Role of the Safety Professional

Posted by Robert O'Neill

construction worker in disbeliefSafety, without a doubt, remains a paramount concern for any organisation. With an increasingly interconnected world, an ever-evolving technological landscape and rising public awareness, effective safety measures are more critical than ever. The responsibility of a safety professional in this regard cannot be overstated. They serve as the guardians of workplace safety, ensuring that safety systems and processes effectively safeguard employees and the general public. Regrettably, traditional methodologies employed in system-level hazard analysis often fail to genuinely depict an organisation's safety standing and corresponding response mechanisms. In this blog post, we delve into how a proactive stance, supplemented by the pivotal role of the safety professional, can facilitate the transition from fantasy plans to an attainable safety reality.

Read More

Topics: Organisational Resilience

Shifting the Focus from Human Error to Systemic Safety: A Path to Resilience

Posted by Robert O'Neill

Screen Shot 2023-03-21 at 3.28.33 pmIn high-stakes industries where safety is paramount, accidents and incidents are often quickly attributed to human error. This knee-jerk reaction to blame individuals has deep roots in organisational culture and leadership attitudes. However, this blame-oriented approach can hinder the development of truly resilient and safe systems. In this article, we will explore the limitations of focusing solely on human error, the benefits of adopting a systemic approach to safety, and how organisations can change their mindset to create robust, resilient systems.

Read More

Topics: Organisational Resilience, Safety Differently, Safety II

Navigating the balancing act: How safety professionals reconcile competing priorities

Posted by Robert O'Neill

professional with a set of scalesSafety professionals play a critical role in ensuring the well-being of employees and the public and compliance with regulations. However, the job of a safety professional can be challenging. One of the biggest challenges is reconciling competing priorities, such as safety and production or safety and financial objectives. In this article, we will explore how safety professionals navigate this balancing act and make decisions that prioritise safety while also considering other important factors.

Read More

Why Safety Climate is More Important than Safety Culture in Improving OHS Outcomes

Posted by Robert O'Neill

Screen Shot 2021-06-11 at 2.20.22 pmSafety culture and safety climate are two critical concepts in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). Safety culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, and practices that shape an organisation's approach to safety. On the other hand, safety climate refers to the perceptions and attitudes of employees towards safety within an organisation. While safety culture focuses on the underlying values and beliefs that drive safety, safety climate is more concerned with how employees perceive and behave towards safety in their day-to-day work.

Read More

Topics: Safety Culture