Chapter 2 Let’s Talk about Complexity

DOI: 10.4324/9781003175742-2

Most people will have heard that “safety is just common sense” at some point. Some may even have thought it. It is as understandable as it is incorrect. Safety is not just common sense. Sometimes safety may be simple. To ensure our approach to risk management is suitable for the modern workplace we need to shun the common-sense mantra and understand the nature of complexity. Quantum Safety was developed from this understanding.

The term “complexity” is used with ever greater frequency. As often happens with workplace jargon, the true meaning of the term can quickly become diluted or lost. This has also occurred with Safety II1 where Hollnagel’s work is understood by some as ...

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