The fallacy of You Can't Fix Stupid
Fatality reports, sometimes referred to as Fatalgrams, are used throughout industry to alert workers and supervisors to workplace hazards. The idea is to warn workers away from doing the same thing themselves, and thus prevent similar incidents from taking place in the future. One of the reasons why they are effective is because of their shock value. The reports describe the circumstances that led to a fatality, which tend to grab our attention by engaging our emotions.
The reader's initial response to these reports is often a combination of dismay and pity. They could reflect on how they had done something similar in the past and had gotten away with it. In those instances, they may experience relief but are also reminded of how close they came to a calamity. Like a New Year’s Resolution, a fatality report can lead them to vow that “I won’t ever do that again.”
There are times, however, where the response lacks empathy. Upon reading the report, the reader shakes their head and says, "you can't fix stupid." This statement has two underlying assumptions:
The deceased made a decision that led to their own demise, one that they wouldn't have made if they had any level of intelligence.
The reader considers themselves to be an intelligent being, and thus an incident of this kind would never happen to them.
The fundamental flaw in these assumptions is the notion that intelligent people don't make bad safety decisions. While we like to tell ourselves that we are better than that, the reality is that anyone can experience a momentary cognitive failure. Whether it be complacency or a self-imposed sense of urgency, no one is exempt from the challenges of keeping one's head in the game when it comes to personal safety.
The moral of the story? Saying "you can't fix stupid" is an indicator that complacency is getting the best of you. Don't ever let yourself believe that you are too smart to make a bad safety decision.
For more information on these and other ideas regarding workplace safety, go to www.tuningintosafety.com. Tuning In to Safety is a book written for all employees in an organization, and is available on Amazon in paperback, eBook, and audiobook formats.