
Behead the Ostrich or you could face a Grenfell situation
Can you remember your last fire drill?
The big danger during emergency evacuations is the behaviour of individuals who fail to follow the standard evacuation drill. People can lapse into Ostrich mode to deny the danger they feel by huddling in a corner until help arrives – if it arrives? Or they will apply ingrained habits by leaving by the route they use every day and run into danger. Others get a skinny latte on the way out.
Psychologist Leon Festinger proposed this as cognitive dissonance or the ostrich effect; centred on how people try to reach internal consistency. He suggested that people have an inner need to ensure that their beliefs and behaviours are consistent. Inconsistent or conflicting beliefs lead to disharmony, which people strive to avoid.
The solution is to chop the head of the Ostrich by increasing and practicing drills in a rigorous and consistent way.
Training is an investment for success
back to blogother blog posts

IOSH is the Chartered body for health and safety professionals. IOSH health and safety training courses are suitable for people of all levels in every sector and any organisation.
view courses
The aim of the CCNSG Safety Passport Scheme is to ensure a basic knowledge of health and safety for all site personnel to enable them, after appropriate site induction, to work on site more safely with lower risk to themselves and others. National Course is a two day course for basic site safety and is valid for three years from the date of the course. The Renewal Course is designed as a one day refresher course for those who have already passed the CCNSG National Course. This has to be taken within three months of the Safety passport expiry date. If it is not taken within the specified time then the two day CCNSG National Course will have to be retaken.
view coursesCourses Available

For over 60 years, the British Safety Council has been campaigning for better health and safety at work. They are a not-for-profit organisation who work with members in more than 60 countries to develop best practice. Since 2004, British Safety Council has been a government-regulated awarding organisation with a comprehensive suite of health and safety qualifications.
view coursesNeed expert advice? Call us on 0141 772 6777 or use our