What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?
A curious philosophical question that reportedly has its beginning in a 3rd Century BC book entitled Han Feizi. It shares a story that a man was trying to sell a spear and a shield, and claimed the spear could go through any shield while the shield he was selling was impenetrable. When he was asked what would happen if this spear was used on that shield he had no answer1,3. So was born the inherently conflicting scenario of what happens when something that cannot be stopped meets something that cannot be moved.
Thoughts and debate on this phrase are many and varied. A force that cannot be stopped such as a hurricane that never loses power and blows away all in its path. Then it meets a boulder so heavy and solid it cannot be shifted. Both cannot exist so one cancels out the other2.
Others offer responses in logic and semantics. Logically, if there was an irresistible force then there could not be an immovable object in the same space, and the same going the other way if an object is truly immovable. Putting forth that perhaps the immovable object is space while the unstoppable force is time. Semantically, if there was an irresistible force then the phrase “immovable object” is meaningless and has as much value as asking to see a triangle with four sides3.
So this paradox starts to take shape such that nothing is truly unstoppable despite how strong or forceful it may seem, and somewhere along its travels it can be convinced to redirect.
Likewise, nothing is truly immovable, and at some point it can be convinced to shift from its original position.
Years ago in one of many debates I fell upon another answer to this question, and one that I have seen and applied over time:
What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?
They create infinite friction.
How can this be brought to OH&S?
Friction is the force that resists an object’s motion on a surface4. Resistance > Heat > Friction.
In the art of occupational safety we can encounter both this paradoxical question, and its resultant answer, in our endeavor to create a safe work environment.
Unstoppable force? The need to protect those around us.
Immovable object? Human will.
The human will is powerful, and when one is motivated and firm on their beliefs there could be an opening argument that they are “immovable.” The will is what motivates decisions and influences behavior both in daily life and in the workplace.
Workplace safety is paramount, and a force that perpetually moves forward in an attempt to find ways of making it better. Improved personal protective equipment, updating methods of training for evolving learning modalities, advancing methods of detecting hazards before they become incidents, etc. This drive to continually improve safety could also be argued as “unstoppable.”
These two principles meet every day on board ships, out in terminals, in our shops, and anywhere employees are showing up to get the job done. Hundreds of regulations, policies and procedures are published and in place, yet our industry, and all industries, still contend with incidents that can result in serious injuries – or worse.
A piece of this puzzle is the intersection of safety’s driving movement to improve and protect, and the will that guides someone’s choices when doing a task.
When I’m operating a machine am I wearing my seat belt?
If I’ve been told it needs to be repaired have I facilitated getting that done?
Walking up the gangway are my safety vest and hard hat on?
If someone on my team needs a vest or hard hat did I get them one?
Have I checked the gear before a lift and gone over the lifting plan with the team?
If I see something that needs to be repaired have I communicated it?
If I have been told something needs to be repaired have I acted upon it?
Often times the simplest choices and actions can have profound effects on workplace safety. So, what is a keystone to improve choices and actions? Connection and relationships.
Of course, there are times when safety is very linear. If I made a choice that resulted in an incident there will be an investigation, and possible consequences such as in-person review, retraining, or other means deemed necessary to form a corrective action.
However, the process of making that choice is more three dimensional and may be improved by engaging those around us to make safe choices along with communicating their observations. Recall the comments before wherein the immovable object is not truly immovable and can be convinced to shift. So too may the unstoppable force learn to redirect. These opportunities to connect with each other can occur anywhere, but often these moments happen in the quietest of occasions.
Standing together at the gangway waiting while the crew sets up the safety net talking about each other’s plans for the holidays.
Standing on deck together in the rain comparing notes on how to stay dry and laughing about it as the rain continues to pour down on both of us.
Calling for a mechanic to come out and help with frozen air lines and talking about how to best to stay warm while waiting for them to arrive.
Sitting them on my tailgate and going over what happened while I clean and bandage their laceration before sending them to the doctor for evaluation, and telling them we’ve got them.
Talking with each other in the Emergency Department at 2:30 in the morning while waiting for X-ray results from their injury, and sharing our stories about how we both ended up working the waterfront.
How do you reduce friction and improve safe choices? Understanding and connection.
Through understanding and connecting with those around us the unstoppable force and immovable object realize they both have similar paths, and it’s ok to shift or redirect because our goals are the same.
We all want to care and provide for our Families, and Safety wants to ensure we all get there.
Thank you.
Respectfully
Erick H.-Saia
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