Risk Management & Safety Culture

Stewart Ellenberg, ARM-PCity of Boulder Risk Manager

Risk Management’s MissionProtection of Entity Assets

EmployeesBuildings & ContentsCashReputation

Assist departments in getting their job done.

“Culture” definition…

“The behavior and beliefs that are characteristic of a group.”

What did these companies have in common in 2010?

Massey Energy

British Petroleum

May 20, 2010 – Deepwater Horizon

But that is not all…Massey Energy – Awarded three “Sentinels of

Safety” awards in the previous year.

BP – “SAFE” awards handed out the day before the accident to the rig workers.

A key point …The lack of accidents is not a good indicator of an entity’s safety culture.

City of Philadelphia 4/9/12

A recent peer review of the fire …

“Basic mistake in fire scene management.”

“Disgraceful.”

“Prehistoric approach.”

Are you rehearsing for the big one?

If you look at a fatal accident or serious injury, the possibility that the circumstances leading up to the event had never happened before, but just happened today, is possible but usually very unlikely.

Safety Culture Failures

ChernobylContinental Flight 2574Spaceship ChallengerSpaceship ColumbiaFukushima nuclear plant meltdown –

“pervading culture of complacency over safety.”

What are you worried about right now with your operation?

Staff Member

Dangerous condition

Questionable practice or procedure

What is Safety Culture?

“Safety Culture” is an inherent value system, owned by both organizations and individuals, that places a high priority on being safe in all we do.

What does “safety culture” mean?

“Making sure people are not injured is

how we do things around here.”

What can you do to improve the safety culture at your entity?

Leadership is Essential

Senior managers should instill “safety is a value” to all employees and design a safety vision.

Safety Culture - THE ESSENTIALS

Safety meetings

Safety committees

THE ESSENTIALS continued…• Giving feedback on safety performance, either

good or bad, is the best action you can undertake.

• Discipline supervisors who fail to discipline employees for violations of safety rules.

• Timely safety training to new and recently transferred employees.

• Promote wellness programs

THE ESSENTIALS continued…

• Annual safety performance evaluations.• A pro-active culture that searches for ways to

prevent an incident from occurring.• Investigate accidents involving minor injuries

and “near-hits”.

Why improve your safety culture?

Deliver the best services you can to your customers.

Reputation management.Saves time and money.It is the right thing to do for your staff, their

families and the public.

Safety Culture – To Sum it Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIjC7DjoVe8

Are you willing to make the changes that need to be made?