As many of you know I have taken on a new client (full time) in 2022 and my role in this organization is to build a safety management system (SMS). And let me tell you what, if you thought explaining a RAGAGEP to management was difficult – try explaining that safety is a “process” and an SMS should function just like a QA/QC process in a business. I have written several posts about how we used SPC and Six Sigma (DMAIC) methodologies to build some very efficient and effective safety management systems, which I am proud to say most are still in place today and performing even better (i.e. continuous improvement). From everything from process metrics (leading indicators) to root cause analysis of process failures, our safety management systems will literally function just like a QA/QC process inside a business. And it matters not what the work environment is – IT ALWAYS WORKS! One of my favorite QA/QC experts made a short video explaining how he learned the “Deming Way” in his career. When you watch this video, do NOT view it as a quality video – view it as a safety management system video. Heck, we can literally just replace the word “quality” with “safety” – it is really that simple. Pay close attention to his part about root cause analysis.
KEY POINTS:
1) Management creates the system/culture the workers work in
2) People make mistakes – build a system that minimizes the opportunities for these mistakes
3) DON’T BLAME the people for the mistakes they made inside the system/culture management created
4) ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS is the biggest key to CONTINOUS IMPROVEMENT
