Michael O’Toole, PhDEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Behavior Based Safety Where did it come from? Origins in psychology

B.F. Skinner/Watson/Thorndike

Michael O'Toole, PhD

What triggers or causes behaviors?

What it is that theemployee does

What follows thebehavior?Positive+Negative-

ANTECEDENTS BEHAVIORS CONSEQUENCES

MEASUREMENT & FEEDBACK

HOW AM I DOING?

Behavioral Safety Any number of approaches that focus on

the behaviors of employees Identify and correct unsafe/at-risk behaviors

before an incident All attempt to use some form of observation of

employee job performance Supervisors Peers Self

Michael O'Toole, PhD

Keys to a successful BBS process Planning

Like a good story Who, what, where, when, why and how

Who is going to champion the process? Who is going to manage the process? Who is going to conduct observations? Who is going to ensure follow-up?

Michael O'Toole, PhD

Six Critical Elements of a Behavior Based Safety Process Include….Six Critical Elements of a Behavior Based Safety Process Include….

Reduce Incidents

Communications

Training

ReinforcementMeasurement

LeadershipCommitmentLeadership

Commitment

ProcessManagement

Why conduct structured observations? Leverages “behavior sampling” to paint a

clearer picture of risks Provides more objective data on which to

guide continuous improvement of the organization’s safety and health processes

Further clarifies expectations related to safety and health aspects for both supervisor and employee

Michael O'Toole, PhD

What jobs or tasks are we going to observe? Injury or property damage history High risk high hazard jobs High frequency jobs Intermittent jobs

Need to have a standard Standard Operating Procedures Equipment manuals Regulations Consensus standards

ANSI, NFPA, ASTM, etc

Michael O'Toole, PhD

Who and How are observations to be completed? By supervisors

Advantages Part of their job Basic responsibility to ensure safety of workers Additional avenue to demonstrate management’s support Increases employee involvement

Disadvantages Another burden Tool to “get” employees

Deflect blame

Michael O'Toole, PhD

Who and How are observations to be completed? By Peers

Advantages Less of a threat Familiar with how the job “is really done” Opportunity for increased safety engagement

Disadvantages Less objective

Won’t “rat out” peers Pencil whipping paperwork Fail to make connection with improved safety

Michael O'Toole, PhD

Who and How are observations to be completed? Self-observations

Advantages No additional personnel Forces reflection on task procedures Cognitive dissonance

Disadvantages Deception Pencil whipping Fear of reprisal

Michael O'Toole, PhD

When are observations to be completed? Depends on the size of the organization.

Daily – too often? Weekly – balanced? Monthly – not often enough?

Where are observations to be completed? At the site/location where the task is being

performed.

Michael O'Toole, PhD

How are observations to be compiled? Paper and pencil

Manually entered into computer Database or spreadsheet

PDA data logger Data are transferred into computer database

OR…NOT AT ALL!

Michael O'Toole, PhD

Behavior Based Safety…or not? Not a silver bullet Not a program….it is a process

All else must be in good shape Must “fit” the organization’s culture Must be integrated into already successful

safety and health processes

Michael O'Toole, PhD

Disadvantages Becomes a program flavor of the month Perceived by employees as another means

to shift blame to employees Game the system

Achieving the target is the focus rather than true continuous improvement

Becomes a bureaucratic nightmare Doesn’t fit the organization’s culture Seen as a fix to all the unsolved problems

Michael O'Toole, PhD

Advantages Increases Management’s opportunity to

visibly demonstrate support for safety Increases opportunities for all employees to

be more engaged and participative in the safety and health process

Provides employees and the organization valuable feedback for continuous improvement

Provides critical leading indicators of safety performance

Michael O'Toole, PhD

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Questions?Michael O'Toole, PhD