In this episode we look at more collected images from LinkedIn from safety and ask: what is being said and not said? What are the messages and what are the by-products of many safety symbols? How does any of this messaging help or promote safety as a sense-able activity?

Unfortunately, being sincere, well-intentioned and dedicated is not enough if you don’t really know what your selection of symbols are saying. Indeed, especially if you symbols contradict your own message.

And, it’s not just what is being said. It’s much more about what is NOT said. We are yet to find safety symbolism that has a focus on: listening, helping, care, engagement, ethics, understanding and persons.

As we progress through this discussion and analysis in episode four, we see that ignorance regarding semiotics often results in the presentation of negative outcomes for safety.

So often, safety is portrayed as a clipboard, PPE and paperwork. Some of these symbols presented also border on the bizarre and obtuse, promoting aggression, violence and the continued focus on objects.

How does such messaging help safety? How do these symbols condition the unconscious in safety to accept this messaging as normal?

You can see episode four here: