The internet is just full of “consultants” who will take your money to teach your org “SIF”!
These snakeoil salespeople are destroying the credibility and trust of the consulting profession, and it must stop. All this rebranding/repackaging of the basic safety efforts from the 90s and 2000s, and then NOT even doing it right, is putting far too many workers at risk. But they don’t see it, they only see the $.
Last month I visited a friend at a new gig and he wanted me to talk with the executives about my simplistic, cost effective, and proven methods for managing SIF Risks. He did not tell me that the company had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars with a large international consulting firm over the previous 2 years. And the C-suite was not “feeling it”; they were not convinced that they were substantially better now than they were 3 years ago. Hence, they hired my friend (one hell of a safety pro) and longtime client to lead the “SIF” effort internally.
He has been using my SIF approach for 20 years and has seen great successes in each of his previous roles. In fact, after this gig, he plans to consult, doing nothing but SIF using this basic approach.
Back in the day, we called this approach “Cardinal Rules”. Say that phrase today, and you will be chastised by all the “experts” in HOP, SIF, Safety Differently, Psychological Safety, etc. But all these “experts” have done is come up with a new name to sell it. It’s called SIF today.
The “cardinal rules” approach is the baseline of any SIF model. Identify the controls/barriers/safeguards that are in place to prevent serious injuries and fatalities, and then manage them with a focused effort.
This would include safety efforts such as LOTO, PRCS, Electrical Safety Related Work Practices, Line/Equipment Opening, PITs, Working @ Heights, etc. I don’t think any experienced safety pro would argue these programs/management systems are in place to PREVENT Serious Injuries & Fatalities.
Each facility may have different Cardinal Rules, based on its inherent risks. A construction company would have very different cardinal rules than, say, a manufacturing/process facility would need.
A business can hire a seasoned safety leader, and all of this can, AND SHOULD BE, developed, implemented, and managed 100% internally. I charge only for my travel and time (3-4 hrs) to provide the roadmap on how a business can do this. No fanfare, no banners, no pretty PowerPoints; just a simple roadmap on how to strengthen and VALIDATE our Cardinal Rules, while avoiding turning the facility into a “police state”.
I can provide dozens of references who will provide you with a glowing recommendation on this approach to managing high-risk activities. So, STOP dancing with these snakeoil salespeople and get down to some serious work that makes a difference in the lives of those who do our dirty and dangerous work. Spend your money and allocate your resources to make a meaningful impact on our workers, and stop feeding these beasts for minimal risk reduction. You don’t need a PhD to explain your risks and how to control them. You have all the answers before you.
SAFTENG members can read all about my approach and how to do this yourself. It works by reducing risks and improving both performance numbers and culture.
