A few weeks ago, I shared my thoughts on whether a business was ready for a Behavior-based Safety process (BBSP). Since then, I have been asked what some “indicators” could be that a business is “culturally ready” for a BBSP. And for me, it can all hinge on how management EMBRACES NEAR-MISS gifts. Yes, near-misses…...
Near-misses and BBSP Read More »
I am seeing a lot of disinformation regarding Behavior Based Safety, and of course, those dis’ing BBS have the latest and greatest approach to fix all your safety problems. But don’t be fooled. BBS is a tool in our safety toolbox and like any tool in the hands of UNTRAINED personnel, it can be misused…...
BBS process can be DISASTROUS! Read More »
A Process Safety Management System (PSMS) is built off the SIF approach many companies are dipping their toes into today. If you are a PSM/RMP-covered facility, you already have an SMS; it’s just called a PSMS, and it is a 14-element SMS that is ALL about the SIF approach. YOU ARE CLOSER TO SIF then…...
SIF comes from the PSM/RMP approach Read More »
Too often, management will view the decline in recordable injuries as a positive trend without understanding the driving force(s) behind this trend. It is common to find a decrease in reportable injuries in line with a decrease in total reported incidents. We call this “Low Confidence”. We can have a higher level of confidence when…...
Reporting vs Rates Read More »
I am updating my SMS/HF course for a course in October. This may be helpful to some. This is the James Reason HF model. I have shared other graphics of his model over the years, but this one and the one from our friend at the UK’s HSE are my favorites. I hope that some…...
Human Failure Model (James Reason) Read More »
Someone pinch me! It is 2023, and I’m still teaching HAZMAT, Hot Work, and PRCS courses, where most students use direct-reading instruments daily. And yet, none of them have ever been trained on the LIMITATIONS of the brand/model of direct-reading instruments they use. There are dozens of reasons why this is what it is, but…...
The time has come to end the LEL games with our direct-reading instruments Read More »
One of the biggest mistakes we see in BBS processes is the fundamental misunderstanding of a BBS process’s role in an SMS. Each observation is NOT about looking for unsafe behaviors; rather, it should be more about reinforcing the SAFE behaviors. Suppose an organization has a high rate of observed deviant behaviors from prescribed Safe…...
Don’t let your BBS process become a “Reality TV” show Read More »
Maybe it’s my age, but I have grown tired of organizations that proclaim their dedication to safety. Yet, they have no desire to put in place a formal and measurable SAFETY PROCESS/SMS that INVOLVES the men and women we work to protect. It is not rocket science, and it is the most basic and PROVEN…...
The path to world-class safety performance and culture Read More »
It is a common thing to hear regarding safety in workplaces today… “Own it”. The concept is solid; management wants broad ownership of safety. Safety is NOT safety’s job, after all. But like many safety movements, this one usually fails in significant ways because it takes years of educating and motivating a workplace to accept…...
“Ownership of Safety” – What does it take to make it happen? Read More »
Many organizations struggle to identify “safety metrics” besides their lagging indicators. But the PRCS article I posted Friday night contains at least a dozen metrics around our PRCS safety management efforts. There are a lot of “SIF salespersons” out there selling their “SIF approach.” On the other end of the SMS spectrum are the facilities…...
PRCS, SIF, Controls/Safeguards and their validation Read More »
I hate this meme! This is an employee taking a shortcut and reflects the culture. But in almost every depiction of this photo, the intent is that the employee(s) know best, and we need to suit their wishes. Such garbage. If we have the employees involved in writing the SOP(s) and we train them well…...
Seeing this meme through our eyes Read More »
I have written over 180 articles on the topic of Permit-Required Confined Spaces. We can agree there is a lot to write and talk about on this topic. In our travels, we do a lot of work with clients around their PRCS management; most of the time, this work is more “technical.” In this article,…...
What does it mean to comply with 1910.146 vs. having a “management system” for PRCSs Read More »
