Safety Culture Enhancement Methods

A few weeks ago, I visited one of our manufacturing plants, renowned for its strong employee engagement and speak-up culture. This team boasts an impressive 12.5-year track record without safety incidents. One of the highlights of my visit was touring the plant, engaging with our frontline champions, and gaining firsthand insight into the factors contributing to this exceptional culture. During my conversations with experienced team members, including Billy Horne, Greg Blanchet, and Odell White, I compiled a list of key takeaways: 1. Open Communication: Encouraging everyone to speak up about safety concerns and near-misses, to identify potential hazards before they lead to accidents. 2. Continuous Learning: Regular training and updates on safety protocols ensures that everyone is aware of the best practices and reinforce safety habits. 3. Employee Involvement: Involving employees in safety discussions and decision-making processes made each person feels valued and more committed to maintaining a safe work environment. 4. Leadership Commitment: Leaders demonstrating a genuine commitment to safety by prioritizing it in their actions and decisions. 5. Regular Audits and Inspections: Conducting regular checks, like the facility tours, helped in ensuring that safety standards are consistently met, and any issues are promptly addressed. 6. Learning from Incidents: Analyzing near-misses and incidents to understand their root causes and implementing measures to prevent recurrence is crucial. 7. Innovation and Improvement: Continual encouragement to innovate in safety practices and tools, leading to more effective and safer ways of working.   Special thanks to our leaders - Ilanchezhian Balasubramanian, Tim Stevens, Jerry Wang, Travis Gunter, and David S., for their unwavering commitment to fostering a culture that promotes safety, innovation, and learning. #lifeateaton #playtowin #safetyculture #innovation #learning

The concept of "Normalization of Deviance" was first popularized by sociologist and organizational theorist Diane Vaughan in her book "The Challenger Launch Decision” She used this term to analyze the events leading up to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. She highlighted how the repeated acceptance of small, deviant behaviors and deviations from safety norms within NASA's organizational culture eventually led to the tragic decision to launch the Challenger in unfavorable conditions. Since then, the concept of "Normalization of Deviance" has been widely recognized and applied in various fields, including workplace safety to understand how organizational cultures can inadvertently tolerate risky behaviors and non-compliance with safety standards, often with severe consequences. So what can be done to prevention and reduction the likelihood of normalization of deviance : - Clear Standards: Establish and communicate clear safety protocols and standards. - Regular Training: Continuous safety training and reminders. - Peer Reporting: Encourage employees to report deviations without fear of reprisal. - Management Commitment: Leadership should prioritize safety, setting an example for others. - Audits and Inspections: Regularly assess compliance with safety standards. - Feedback Loops: Act on reported deviations promptly to correct issues. - Promote Reporting Culture: Create an environment where reporting unsafe practices is encouraged. - Root Cause Analysis: Investigate incidents to understand underlying causes. - Document and Review: Maintain records of safety violations and review them to identify trends. - Continuous Improvement: Use lessons from incidents to improve safety procedures and culture. - External Oversight: Engage third-party audits for impartial evaluations. Preventing the normalization of deviance requires vigilance, commitment, and a culture that prioritizes safety. #risk #riskmanagement #safetyculture #safety #leadership #behaviour #error #healthandsafety #humanfactors #aviation #manufacturingindustry #construction #peoplemanagement #auditandassurance #continuousimprovement #rootcauseanalysis #safetytraining #hseprofessionals #psychosocialhazards

Accidents can serve as valuable lessons for the future in several ways. .. Here are some key points on how lessons learned from accidents can improve safety, processes, and awareness. .. 1.Root Cause Analysis: Investigating the accident helps identify the underlying causes, whether they are human errors, mechanical failures, or environmental factors. Understanding these root causes can guide future prevention efforts. 2.Training and Education: Accidents can highlight gaps in knowledge or skills among employees or operators. This can lead to revised training programs to ensure that everyone is better prepared to handle similar situations in the future. 3.Safety Protocols and Procedures: Analyzing accidents often results in the reevaluation and enhancement of existing safety protocols. This can include the implementation of more stringent safety measures, better emergency response procedures, and regular safety drills. 4.Risk Assessment and Management: Lessons learned from accidents inform risk management strategies. Organizations may adopt better risk assessment practices, leading to the identification and mitigation of potential hazards before they can cause harm. 5.Culture of Safety: Sharing lessons learned from accidents can foster a culture of safety within organizations. When employees see that their organization is committed to learning from mistakes, they may be more inclined to report unsafe conditions and engage in proactive safety behaviors. 6.Technology and Innovation: Accidents can trigger innovations in technology, leading to the development of safer equipment or systems. For instance, the analysis of accidents in aviation has led to advancements in aircraft design, navigation systems, and pilot training. 7.Policy and Regulation Changes: Sometimes, widespread accidents can prompt changes in laws, regulations, or industry standards. These changes can enhance overall safety across the industry or sector. 8.Psychological Preparedness: Understanding the psychological effects of accidents helps organizations prepare employees mentally for emergencies, improving their response during actual incidents. 9.Communication Improvements: Accidents can reveal gaps in communication among teams, departments, or stakeholders. By addressing these areas, organizations can enhance collaboration and ensure that critical information is shared effectively. 10.Accountability and Responsibility: Analyzing accidents can help clarify the roles and responsibilities of individuals and teams, promoting a sense of accountability within the organization. In summary, while accidents can be detrimental, they can also provide invaluable insights that lead to improved safety, increased awareness, and better practices in the future. Emphasizing a proactive approach to learning from these experiences can ultimately save lives and prevent recurrence.

🧐 Understanding Why It Makes Sense to Them 🧐 In safety, it's crucial to understand why people make certain decisions, especially when they deviate from established safety protocols. Human Performance encourages us to put ourselves in the workers' shoes and explore the context and reasoning from their perspective. Consider this: • When a worker skips a safety step, are they doing it because they don't care or because they believe it will save time without causing harm? • If someone uses a non-standard procedure, is it because they're ignoring rules or found a method they believe is safer or more efficient under the circumstances? • When a safety incident occurs, do we focus solely on the mistake, or do we examine the work environment, pressures, and constraints that influenced their decision? These perspectives help us see that what might seem like reckless behaviour often makes sense to the individual at the time. Here’s how we can incorporate this understanding: 1. Seek to Understand: Engage with team members to understand the context and pressures they face. Ask why they made a particular decision and listen without judgment. 2. Reflect on Systems: Examine whether systemic issues or constraints lead to these decisions. Are there areas where safety protocols are impractical or misunderstood? 3. Collaborate on Solutions: Work together with your team to develop practical and realistic safety measures. Involve them in the process to ensure the solutions make sense in their daily work context. By understanding the reasoning behind decisions, we can foster a more supportive and effective safety culture. Let’s move beyond blame and focus on creating an environment where safe choices are the easiest choices. 🌟

EHS Success: Beyond Compliance to Real-World Impact 🔍 Let's shift our perspective on Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS): It's time we view EHS not just as a box to tick, but as a powerful tool for positive change in our workplaces. True EHS success goes beyond mere compliance - it's about creating systems that address real-world challenges and foster genuinely safer, healthier work environments. Key thoughts: 1️⃣ Proactive vs. Reactive: Develop systems that anticipate and prevent issues, not just respond to them. 2️⃣ Employee Engagement: Involve your workforce in safety initiatives. They're your front-line experts! 3️⃣ Data-Driven Decisions: Use analytics to identify trends and focus your efforts where they'll have the most impact. 4️⃣ Continuous Improvement: Treat EHS as an ongoing journey, not a destination. 5️⃣ Cultural Integration: Weave safety and health into the fabric of your organizational culture. Remember: A truly effective EHS program doesn't just meet standards - it sets them. What innovative approaches have you seen in EHS that go beyond basic compliance? Share your experiences below! #WorkplaceSafety #EHS #EmployeeWellbeing #SafetyCulture #ContinuousImprovement

The Crisis Next Time: Preparing Safety Practitioners for Future Success: A Holistic Approach My interviews with Health & Safety (H&S) advisors highlight a paradigm shift in the safety field, emphasizing a more holistic and human-centric approach to prepare them for future success. This shift requires a broader skill set and a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between human behavior, organizational culture, and safety outcomes. Key Takeaways: 1. Embrace a Holistic Perspective: H&S must move beyond a narrow focus on compliance and technical aspects to consider the psychological, social, and cultural factors that influence safety behavior. This involves understanding concepts like psychological safety, trust, communication, and group dynamics. 2. Develop Soft Skills: Communication, empathy, relationship building, and the ability to influence and "sell" ideas are becoming increasingly important for safety professionals. They need to effectively communicate complex information, build rapport with employees at all levels, and advocate for H&S improvements within their organizations. 3. Understand Organizational Dynamics: It is necessary to be adept at navigating organizational politics, understanding power dynamics, and building alliances to drive change. This includes identifying key stakeholders, understanding their motivations, and tailoring their communication strategies accordingly. 4. Embrace Technology and Data: Technology and data analysis play a crucial role in modern safety management. Safety professionals should be proficient in using data to identify trends, assess risks, and measure the effectiveness of safety interventions. They should also embrace emerging technologies like safety management systems and utilize them to streamline processes and enhance communication.  5. Continuous Learning and Development: The field is constantly evolving, and professionals must commit to lifelong learning to stay ahead of the curve. This includes staying updated on new regulations, best practices, and emerging technologies, as well as expanding their knowledge in related fields like ethics, social psychology and organizational behavior. Embracing these topics builds the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the complex challenges of the future workplace. This holistic approach enables advocating effectively for H&S, build a positive safety culture, and ultimately create a healthier more resilient workplace for themselves and the work community.

Good morning, Team, Walking your sites regularly is one of the most effective ways to maintain a safe work environment. Whether you're inspecting for hazards, checking on work progress, or ensuring compliance with safety protocols, being present and observant on-site makes a significant impact. Key Areas to Focus On During a Site Walk 1. Housekeeping & General Safety Look for trip hazards such as cables, tools, and debris. Ensure walkways are clear and free of obstructions. Check for proper storage of materials, tools, and hazardous substances. 2. Equipment & PPE Compliance Observe if workers are wearing the required PPE for the task. Inspect tools and machinery for proper function and guarding. Confirm that fire extinguishers and first aid kits are in place and accessible. 3. High-Risk Areas & Tasks Identify working at heights hazards (e.g., fall protection in use). Check on areas with confined space entry or hazardous energy sources. Ensure permits, JSAs, and AHAs are completed and being followed. 4. Employee Engagement & Communication Talk to workers—ask about their tasks, any concerns, and what could improve safety. Observe body language—do workers seem rushed, fatigued, or distracted? Reinforce positive safety behaviors and correct unsafe actions immediately. A site walk isn’t just a checklist—it’s an opportunity to engage, observe, and take proactive steps to prevent incidents. A strong safety culture starts with consistent presence and leadership in the field. P.S. Always document your findings and follow up on identified issues. A problem observed but not corrected is a risk waiting to happen.   Safety Takes Time, So Take the Time for Safety. Stay Safe, Dwayne Smith, CSP

In high-risk industries, it's imperative to shift from traditional safety protocols to a Survival-First mindset. This approach emphasizes resilience and adaptability over mere compliance, enhancing Serious Injury and Fatality (SIF) prevention. Key strategies include: Proactive Risk Assessment: Regularly identifying and evaluating potential hazards to stay ahead of emerging threats. Resilient System Design: Implementing robust processes and infrastructures that maintain functionality under adverse conditions. Continuous Learning Culture: Encouraging an environment where lessons from past incidents inform future safety measures, fostering an adaptive and informed workforce. By adopting this mindset, organizations not only enhance safety but also build trust among employees, gain a competitive edge, and align favorably with regulatory standards. #SurvivetoThrive #SurvivalFirst #SafetyDifferently #PrioritizeLife #SIFPrevention #SIF #SurvivalMindset #WorkplaceSafety #RiskManagement #ContinuousImprovement #Resilience #Adaptability #EmployeeSafety

We’re drowning people in safety training—and then wondering why nothing changes. Every time something goes wrong, we default to the same fix: More slides. More retraining. More signatures. But the problem isn’t always knowledge. It’s how the brain works—and how we ignore it. Here’s what we miss: 🧠Cognitive overload: When we dump too much info at once, people retain less, not more. 💭Context-dependent memory: What’s learned in a training room doesn’t always translate to real work environments. The brain retrieves best when the learning context matches the performance context. ❌Fear blocks learning: If the environment isn’t psychologically safe, the brain goes into threat mode—shutting down curiosity and retention. 💡Passive learning doesn’t stick: Lectures and checklists don’t change behavior. Engagement, emotion, and relevance do. So when something breaks down, retraining someone who already knew what to do isn’t just ineffective—it’s a missed opportunity. Because most of the time? It’s not that they didn’t know. It’s that the system didn’t support them. Procedures don’t match reality. Time pressure overrides caution. People work around the system to keep things moving. Instead of asking, “How do we make sure they know better?” We should be asking: “What made this hard in the real world?” “What was the disconnect between the classroom and the field?” “What does the work actually look like out there?” 📣 Over-training and under-listening is a cultural blind spot Want people to retain and apply what matters? Don’t just teach. Actively Listen. Design with them. Learn from them. That’s how you build safety culture that’s trustworthy. #RealSafetyWork #PsychologicalSafety #CultureOverCompliance #SpeakUpCulture #HumanCenteredSafety