Method and Measurement

This chapter sets out the methods and measurement adopted in the study. The design of the research was exploratory and was used to examine values about certain workplace activities commonly clustered or perceived to be ranked at the lower end of risk and therefore less dangerous or harmful (if at all). An observational design was applied since the purpose was to attempt to detect and code patterns of activities, conduct and behaviours by repeatedly watching the entire season. The intention was to identify potential activities, analyse the content and evaluate specific themes particularised in six broad typologies. Adopting this observational approach, Season 16 (2020) (n = 50 episodes) was critically reviewed on three separate occasions to assess the level of trivialisation of identifiable hazards and controls. The following propositions were tested: (1) onsite skylarking, inattention and lax PPE usage were tolerated or downplayed in certain instances; (2) safety signage compliance was inconsistent throughout the season; (3) site untidiness and occasional hygiene issues were observed; (4) onsite consumption and promotion of alcohol appeared to be normalised; (5) antiquated gendered language or stereotyping was used; and (6) potential exposure to various psychosocial hazards was accepted or inadequately addressed on occasion. A cultural theory of risk perception was applied to events or scenes to identify specific and repeated instances of trivialisation dissonance relating to the above typologies.