Is that the light at the end of the tunnel, or is it an oncoming train?: An obsession with obvious workplace hazards may blind us to approaching catastrophe

© CCH. A mixed method survey of owners of commercial breweries in Victoria and Tasmania (Australia) was conducted (n = 45). The purpose of the study was to gain an understanding of how the breweries mitigated for the hazards they identified - in particular, asphyxiation from elevated levels of CO 2 . The survey comprised a questionnaire regarding the breweries' age, staff numbers, how brewery owners assessed a 'significant' hazard, and their methods of recognition and mitigation of the CO 2 hazard. The research methodology also encouraged and recorded qualitative responses. The research intended to gain an understanding of how the breweries mitigated for the hazards they identified - in particular, asphyxiation from elevated levels of CO 2 . Contradictions between the respondents' questionnaire (quantitative) and qualitative responses were noted. A discontinuity between the respondents' awareness of potential Class I injuries and their safety processes was discussed - in particular, the distinction between high frequency and high consequence hazards. Accordingly, the paper suggests a "polar area" graph for mapping hazards in small businesses generally, to highlight rare but potentially catastrophic injuries among known industry hazards.