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INFLUENCING SAFETY CULTURE WITH SAFETY

OBSERVATIONS AND CONTACTS

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Culture Influence–The strongly held and often

unspoken ideologies, values and assumptions that are the essence of

culture, the expressed values and beliefs that reflect what a group

wishes itself to be and wants others to believe about it, and the day-to-day behaviors and conditions found

in an organization

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Safety Culture- (Simple Definition)

The attitudes, values, norms and beliefs which a particular group of people share with respect to risk and safety.

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Culture Culture refers to the beliefs about how to

“behave” as a member within an organizational unit:

Sometimes it is necessary to take chances to get a job done.

Sometimes it is necessary to turn a blind eye when safety rules are broken.

Our leaders say safety first, but they don’t really mean it. Management in my plant is committed to safety. Near misses are valuable learning experiences and

should be reported.

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Positive Safety Culture Effective Communication Learning Organization Committed Resources Good Working Environment Job Satisfaction Productivity and safety balance Management commitment and visibility Training

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Critical Activities for Improving Safety Culture: Training Communication Feedback Reinforcement Leadership

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Focusing on How to Behave within an Organizational Unit

Through: Communication Feedback and Reinforcement Observations Personal Contacts

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The Current Culture

First Start by Asking: What do we (I) really believe about

safety? What needs to change to get

there? What do I want our/my employees

to believe about safety?

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Where Do We (You) Start? Lead by example Model good behavior Observe behaviors Talk about and openly discuss

behaviors—making personal CONTACTS!

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Are You Ready? To Launch?

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Questions: Are you willing to give up some

control? Are you willing to share credit? Are you willing to risk being wrong? Are you willing to visibly

demonstrate your desire to move forward with change?

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Here We Go….Undercover Work! How do you observe your

employee’s work behavior from a safety perspective?

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Do it With Purpose and Belief!

REMEMBER:It shapes thinking, behavior and performance!

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Explain Why…… Employees need to understand

WHY they are being asked to change and the expected outcome of the change BEFORE they will be motivated to understand and do the HOW.

Buy-In!!!

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Getting Started:Selecting Types of Behaviors to

Observe Evaluate and trend

accidents/incidents. Choose critical 4 – 6 behaviors. What safety tasks or guidelines are

you constantly reminding your employees about?

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The Observation and Contact Process

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Observation Process Is Used To:

Identify safe and at-risk behaviors in the workplace

Give positive feedback and discuss concerns (The personal CONTACT)!

Keep,maintain and use your data for continuous improvement and success in promoting change in safety culture.

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Observation Basics

•The key points to consider both before and after an observation takes place are:

- Use no names in data.- Not a disciplinary tool. - Goal is to provide positive feedback. - Feedback on concerns comes second.- Always give a thank you and get a commitment.

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The Observer’s (Your) Role

Remember: Explain the purpose for the observation

Gather data Observation data – is documented Discussion data- is personal and open

Give feedback Positive first ALWAYS! Concerns Ask for their commitment (you care)!! Thank the employee

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Not the Observer’s Role

Being a“safety cop” Criticizing a worker’s

performance Telling an employee how to do

a job Getting everything in the plant

fixed

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Observation Basics

Quality observations are broken into six steps:

1. Go to where the action is2. Ask the employee’s permission to observe 3. Step back and observe 4. Record details on your checklist5. Give feedback (positive first) & ask for

commitment to change the behavior of concern.

6. Keep your observation notes and data.

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Sample Checklist

Behaviors to look for can include: - Line of fire - Eyes on path/eyes on work- Pinch points;use of/respect for guards- Selecting proper tools/proper use of tools- Housekeeping- Hand protection/Use of gloves

- General use of PPE -Material handling practices - What else????

Behavior(s) Observed Safe

Unsafe

Comments

Housekeeping Attention to Trip hazards; work area

conditions; trash or spills ;safety equipment being accessible;

PPE Use of protective gloves; safety glasses

being worn; hearing protection (if applicable)

safety shoes; other required PPE in use (welding helmet/faces-shield or

respirator being used)

Tool and Equipment Use Correct tools and equipment for the job are in use; equipment/tools not modified

or defective;

Ergonomics Body positions are correct; use of awkward positions note any unsafe adaptations being used to gain an

ergonomic advantage

Fall Protection Use of correct procedures for fall

protection; use of scissor lift guards and chains being in place; use of ladder or

scaffold procedures;

Vehicle Safety Use of forklift; seatbelt being worn; pre use inspection forms; scissor lift use; man-lift use.

Electrical Work Live parts de-energized and locked out;

clearance distances observed; use of insulated tools, materials and PPE; use of

correctly grounded equipment.

Totals:

Safety Observation Card Date: __________ Time: ___________ Location: _______________ Observer: ____________________________

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What Goes On Your Checklist

Be as brief as possible but make the details count.

Make specific points. Be sure to include what, where, how

and why Be sure to include why the behavior

occurred. Fill checklist out thoroughly. Total the safe or unsafe behaviors

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Give Feedback Make all comments specific Don’t make assumptions Make positive comments first Discuss concerns (at-risk

behaviors) Always listen Ask how it could be done safer Ask for commitment because you

care.

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Concerns Over Observing a Performance

A major concern of observers is that a worker will perform for them instead of working the way they usually do

If this occurs, it will diminish over time

It will reinforce the correct behavior

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Success Tips

Ask yourself, “Why am I doing this observation”?

Is it because I have too OR because I care & want to help someone avoid pain & suffering resulting from an injury.

I BELIEVE in the process.

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Questions??? Encourage employees being

observed to ask questions. Be open when you are asked

questions, and respond in a constructive manner.

Explore, don’t attack. Who are you to tell me . . . ?Why don’t you mind your own business?

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The Completed Checklists Keep them confidential. No

names. Turn two observations each

month in to the Production Manager.

Goal in future will be one observation each week.

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Verifying Observation Data Sufficient data Trends Sample spread over time and

plant work areas Consistency among observers

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Use the Data

Use the observation data for continuous improvements in safety:

Address trends; set goals. Follow up on things identified Add new behaviors to the process Discuss data (data only; no names)

in safety meetings

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What You Will Accomplish The ability to influence people by

providing purpose, direction and motivation.

Reduce accidents. Contributions toward facility culture

change Increased employee involvement

and communications with you. Better teamwork. Personal satisfaction.

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Role Playing Activities