Safety Knights

This would be hard to pinpoint one specific issue since most incidents have more than one causal factor (a major reason I dislike the "5 Whys" method because it implies only one causal factor). I'd be glad to chat offline about this if you'd like to share what some of those causal factors.

With that being said, a good way to gain buy-in is to get them involved in the processes. For example, work with the front line workers and have them provide input on your JSAs and PPE hazard assessments, let them look at your written programs before rolling them out to gain their feedback and ensure it covers everything (or see if it causes issues in their day) since they're the ones with the boots on the ground, etc. Although it may be "cultural issues", there's usually a way to address that, such as identifying differences in perceived risks between employees at all levels (which carries over to different priorities on the job).

If we have an uptick I like to call a brief shift meeting to discuss what has been going on. Try to get a mental reset to reinforce the importance of safety and following procedures and processes. It bothers me when corporate brings attention in a reactive way. If you are identifying root cause and have corrective actions, there's not much more to do. Something about working in safety that bothers me is corperate doesn't want to celebrate the days that are uneventful but they are the first to bring attention to safety reactively.

Use a stick to train the workers to stop reporting injuries.

Everyone is pretty much on so far!

I do think there is some fate, luck, superstition, and maybe the Moon too. I know those are not very scientific but I think there is at least some truth to all this! You might have done so well last year, but you and the rest of the organization may have took your foot off the pedal and relaxed some.

That happened to me. About 10 years ago we actually achieved "ZERO Injuries" for an entire year! That was in a machine shop with 500 employees! I was in a very large organization and we did it through Lean and lots of Employee Engagement! It was for the Fiscal Year and I was a hero, just 5 years before our TIR was almost 18!!!! I was called to Corporate to make a presentation to the Board of Directors in Cleveland. I spent at least a couple weeks just on the 10-minute presentation to the Board, my entire focus!

The presentation went well and I felt as if I was on top of the world! At the Cleveland Airport waiting for a plane back to Green Bay I got a phone call from my boss. A Machine Repairman had not locked out and reached into a machine and lost a finger tip. It was like the DAMM BROKE! Within two weeks we had 5 more Recordables, six for the month! I had a friend who was our VP of Ops call me and chew me out! Saying the last year had been just luck! So I went to hero to Chump, just like that!

So after looking back and doing the things Drew said and more (we were and are really into LEAN) I really attributed it to "taking our foot off the pedal!" So I came up with a strategy after a good run!

#1 Have a plan to throw in when things look like they are going even a little off track. Time to get the old BBS Workbooks out, a good incentive plan (not based on injuries), PR campaign on safe work practices, and/or anything to get things turned back on track!!! Remember when the dam breaks you are liable to get a FLOOD!

#2 Never EVER take your foot off the gas! Things can change quick and drastically!

see below....

What tactical level actions have you taken to help reduce the potential for an incident?