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Zero vision and a Western salvation narrative
Dekker, Sidney W. A. Long, Robert Wybo, Jean-Luc
Dekker, Sidney W. A.
Long, Robert
Wybo, Jean-Luc
Abstract
This paper sets the zero accident vision in the historical–cultural context of a Western salvation narrative, which suggests that a world without suffering is desirable and achievable. Tracing the development of what is an archetype in our thinking, it shows how a Western ethic typically ascribes moral responsibility for suffering (and its avoidance) to individuals’ choices. If taken literally into a ZAV then this can paradoxically produce new kinds of suffering—for example, the sanctioning of workers involved in incidents. It can also create an illusory world without suffering by making suffering disappear from view (e.g., hiding incidents/injuries). Alternative readings of ZAV might suggest that suffering is inevitable and universal, and that human moral choice should focus on efforts to relieve its effects, rather than pretend that it can eradicate its causes.
Keywords
zero vision, suffering, workplace safety, human error, second victim
Date
2016
Type
Journal article
Journal
Safety Science
Book
Volume
88
Issue
Page Range
219-223
Article Number
ACU Department
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled