Author Archives: John Culvenor

About John Culvenor

Hi, Thank you for taking a look at this blog. I work in engineering, ergonomics, creativity, design, training, etc. Often this is about helping solve legal puzzles through accident analysis. Sometimes it is about thinking up better designs for equipment, workplaces, and systems. This blog is about good design and bad design, accident analysis and how it can be done better, and how we can make a better, safer world by design!

Neuroscience – something new in OHS or a new twist on an old idea?

Posted on May 22, 2018

I received the promotion below from the Safety Institute of Australia. The invitation is to the National Health & Safety Conference. The first item is Neuroscience.  Really?  At the Safety Institute conference? A promotion reads the science behind “…how workers … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Australian Open Tennis 2018: Money and TV still beats health and safety

Posted on January 19, 2018

Playing and working in heat is “hot topic” in the media for at least a few days every year at the Australian Open Tennis.  It affects players but also other people working and volunteering at the tennis; umpires, line umpires and children … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

UK Rail, signals passed at danger still too high

Posted on August 13, 2017

The UK Office of Road and Rail released its annual safety report last month. Signals passed at danger was 247.  The number of signals passed at danger has remained thereabouts 250-300 for the last nine years. The relative risk is … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Ride on forklift crash – legal case

Posted on July 18, 2017

Verdict summary – Shane Brown v Pencon Australia Pty Ltd – S CI 2015 05568 I was involved in a case recently about a ride-on stand-up reach fork truck or more often called in Australia a forklift.  This type of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Plane Crash Essendon Fields Melbourne

Posted on February 21, 2017

This morning a plane crashed into a shopping centre built near the end of an airport runway at Essendon Fields, Melbourne, Australia. This crash area was relatively recently simply a flat area of grass near the end of the runway. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Dreamword – better to keep the ride

Posted on November 10, 2016

Ardent now say they will demolish the ride in this release to the Australian Stock Exchange. dreamworld-asx-statement-9-november-2016 I see that there may be good reasons for this decision.  Perhaps those close to the victims prefer that it be demolished.  Perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Speculation about accidents is helpful, it’s just not enough (e.g. Dreamworld)

Posted on October 27, 2016

“Speculation is not helpful”.  Regarding accidents, YES, or NO? On the NO side.  The Safety Institute says no. “Safety Institute of Australia calls for calm in relation to Dreamworld tragedy“.  Kevin Jones argues a similar theme. I say YES. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 16 Comments