Often, we use our SMS software/app to document safety deficiencies/hazards identified in the workplace. Still, we can also use these apps to validate the safety controls intended to be in place around certain hazards/risks. This week, I am working with a client located in a part of the country where they will be seeing temps 30+ degrees above normal for this time of year. This is especially hazardous as no one has had time to “acclimate” to these warmer working conditions yet, and a recent change to their PPE program requires Flame Retardent Clothing (FRC) for many workers exposed to these warmer working conditions. So, while we were out examining some equipment, I noticed a Supervisor using her mobile device to document her weekly safety and health audit, and it got me thinking…
Why not use this app to validate that the Heat Illness Prevention Plan has been fully implemented?
Normally, the app user identifies unsafe conditions and takes a picture to tag with the finding.
What we began doing this morning was that rather than spend time looking for hazards/deficiencies in the workplace and documenting them in the App with a picture, the Supers are now tasked with taking pictures of the drink/ice stations and shade/cooling stations to demonstrate/validate that ALL of the Heat Illness Prevention Plan items are in place and FUNCTIONAL before the heat wave hits tomorrow. The IH leader went into town to a discount store and bought 20 – $15 thermometers that the Supers will use to show the temps of the drink solution and the ambient air in the shade/cooling stations. They take pictures of the coolers full of drink solution (water/Gatorade) and shade stations and videos of the ac/fans operating AND achieving the desired temps as shown on the thermometers. The safety team and I will spend this evening auditing the “auditors” by spot-checking that everything is in place and to the letter of the HIPP.
This is a new approach for the facility as we have them validating SAFETY rather than finding faults/gaps/errors in safety and behaviors. It is something to CELEBRATE rather than correct. So far, the response has been excellent and celebratory. One unit manager offered his Supers a $100 reward if they were FIRST to have their HIPP in place and score 100% on the audits by the safety team. These are the behaviors we want to incentivize!
We gave all the Supers credit for “two audits” by doing this single task, as it required them to travel to each station and validate that the equipment was in place and functional. So, they get a 2-for-1 deal in their weekly safety activity metric.
You should try this approach if management is growing tired of Hazard ID exercises or the hazards are becoming harder to find for those lesser-trained hazard hunters. So maybe it is time they spend their valuable time validating the safety controls now. Just a suggestion – it is GREAT for the culture!
