Practical Phenomenology and the OSH Inspector

Abstract

This paper stems from the chance acquisition of data on Occupational Safety and Health work: a National Radio Spectrum documentary where a presenter 'spent the day· with an OSH inspector. This collection of talk about what the OSH inspector's work involves has been transcribed and is analysed here through the concept of 'practical phenomenology· (Atkinson 1995). That is, we see an expert concerned, as a matter of everyday work, with the nature of what he sees about him and how this might be described. What is identifiable as a hazard or risk in the workplace, and how can that be described to a range of other people, including bosses and workers in the workplace, professionals in other institutions, and of course the 'overhearing' radio audience? Hence, the practical adequacy of the OSH inspector’s work turns on the use of everyday resources, fundamentally the use of language. But it is not language in itself that is key, rather, we must attend to what people do with language- how the OSH inspector's descriptions, pleas, warnings, and so on, are responded to by those he talks with. This is an important part of the practical accomplishment of OSH’s work in trying to improve health and safety in the workplace.