Contextualizing (Safety) Rules

This introductory chapter combines several dimensions which are meant to help frame a complex topic representing a very rich diversity of situations across industries, countries, and epochs. The idea is to sensitize readers to several aspects associated with the topic of rules and autonomy in the domain of safety, and of this book. Its aim is to emphasize the importance of contexts when it comes to (safety) rules. Contexts refer to organizations, to industries, to risks, to histories, to practices, to situations, and to countries. Three sections develop the importance of context: (1) The advent of safety rules as an established narrative, (2) There is more than rules in safety, and (3) Historical trends … a bureaucratization of safety? The last section presents the chapters of this book, grouped in three categories, (1) Finding or losing the balance; (2) The role, position, and influence of middle-managers and top management, finally; (3) When autonomy, initiative, and resilience take the lead.