We’ve talked in previous tweets about Behavioral Based Safety (BBS) programs. We’ve also highlighted key issues such as the needless deaths and injuries that arise from food handling and preparation. If you’re a foods manufacturer or even just a local delicatessen or cafe, why not think more about what you can learn from other sectors like the airline industry? We’ve previously discussed the enormous benefits that simple tools like checklists can bring. So exactly how do we start to use checklists and implement a simple BBS? The following list is a simple guide to getting started and we’ll be developing these themes further in later posts.
- Set clear and realistic goals – (a) what do you want to achieve and (b) how will you know that you have achieved it?
- Pilot the intervention in a small department of the organization first – pick an easy area where people are accessible, positive and in a stable environment.
- Contact similar companies or trade associations to discuss and learn from their previous interventions and experiences.
- Listen to your employees and use the process to improve communication in the organization
- Involve your employees early in the program to increase the likelihood of employee investment and participation – it’s critical that they feel a sense of ‘ownership’.
- Tailor the language, style and branding of the program to your own organization.
- Focus on the real root causes of errors and accidents in the workplace: not just actions, but the motivations or consequences behind the actions.
- Always emphasise that safety is not a priority which can change according to external factors, but a core value which must be considered in every action and task that an employee undertakes.
This site is a good place to start to find information and some free checklists