Behaviour-Based Safety in Organizations - Kaila
Behaviour-Based Safety in Organizations - Kaila
ISBN: 978-93-85909-45-0
VB Sant
Director General
National Safety Council of India
Preface to the Second Edition
Most employers and top managements have a faulty perception that safety is
majorly a cost to the company. This perception is a constraint to consider
safety as a value to save lives at the work-place. Every day, 6300 people die
as a result of occupational accidents or work-related diseases, i.e., more than
2.3 million deaths happen per year (International Labour Organization,
2013).
Unsafe behaviours are at the core of all near-misses, injuries, and fatalities.
If we control unsafe behaviours, we would not even have near-misses. The
Behaviour-Based Safety (BBS) process helps maintain an account of human
behaviour in terms of percentages of unsafe and safe behaviours of workers
on a monthly basis.
BBS is a whistleblower on the behavioural risks which are apparently
business risks like violating standard procedures and so on. BBS means when
you are walking through your workplace and observing that somebody is
working under such a risk, you stop for a couple of minutes and alert him for
spot correction as a big brother and not as boss, and this correction procedure
is developed in the organization as a regular way of work life involving
everyone from top to bottom, and this entire BBS activity is measured in a
scientific way each month.
A single unsafe behaviour can cause accident. Hence, the entire BBS
implementation evolves around adopting a correctional procedure, not fault
finding. Also, it’s important to understand that culture drives behaviour, so
you can’t punish an individual.
BBS application is truly democratization of correctional power for
developing a decision-making attitude to draw lines between what is safe and
unsafe behaviour across work areas for a clear focus on core values, i.e.,
saving human life at every cost by everyone as a big brother, not as a big
boss. If you hope to permanently put a stop to human, financial and
production losses due to accidents at your work areas, then you need to
essentially empower your manpower to get rid of their at-risk behaviours
through BBS implementation and following it continuously by involving all.
BBS is a significant contributing tool towards corporate safety management
performance.
H.L. Kaila
Acknowledgements
I acknowledge the contributions of several organizations and their
managements directly and indirectly in the formation of this manuscript.
1. Amara-Raja
2. American Society of Safety Engineers
3. Ampacet
4. Bajaj Auto
5. Bayer CropScience
6. BHEL
7. BPCL
8. Central Labour Institut
9. Chambal Fertilizers
10. Colourtex
11. Centre for Technical and Engineering Applications
12. ESSAR
13. GAIL India
14. Greentech Industries
15. HCC
16. Hindalco
17. HPCL
18. Indian Chemical Council
19. IOCL
20. ITC
21. Kalpatru
22. L&T
23. Mahindra & Mahindra
24. National Safety Council
25. Nuclear Power Corporation
26. Oil India Ltd
27. ONGC
28. RCF
29. Reliance Energy
30. Reliance Industries
31. SAIL
32. Sandoz
33. Serum
34. SMC
35. SNDT Women’s University
36. Suzlon
37. Tata Institute of Social Sciences
38. Tata Motors
39. TUV
40. Ultratech
41. Vedanta
Contents
Foreword
Preface to the Second Edition
Acknowledgements
1. Behaviour-Based Safety (BBS) Concepts
1.1 Introduction
1.2 BBS is an OHSAS-Compliant Practice
1.3 The BBS Pyramid
1.4 Basic Tenets of BBS
1.5 BBS and Organizational Health and Safety (OHS)
2. Behaviour-Based Safety (BBS) Processes
2.1 Factors that Ensure Successful BBS Implementation
3. Implementation of BBS
3.1 The Roadmap
3.2 BBS Implementation and Steering Committee
3.3 Problems BBS’ Implementation Might Face
3.4 Preferred Action Plan for BBS Implementation
3.5 Responsibilities of BBS Steering Committee
4. Organizational Cases on BBS in India
4.1 Analysis of Unsafe and Safe Behaviours
4.2 Case of a Chemical Fertilizers Company
4.3 Case of a Power Company
4.4 Case of a Steel Company
4.5 Case of a Cement Company
4.6 Case of a Chemical Manufacturing Company
4.7 Case of a Pharmaceutical Organization in Gujarat
4.8 Case of a Heavy Engineering Multinational Organization
4.9 Case of a Multinational Chemical Unit: Unsafe Behaviours
4.10 Case of an Indian Chemical Group of Companies
4.11 Case Study of a Multinational Farm Equipment Sector
4.12 Case Study of a Multinational Automobile Company
4.13 A Case of an Oil Corporation
4.14 A Case of an Engineering Procurement Construction Company
4.15 Case Study of an Automobile Organization: Farm Sector
4.16 BBS Project Launched at Patna Terminal
4.17 A Fertilizer Company in Maharashtra
4.18 A Case Study on BBS: July 2011
4.19 Case Study of an Oil & Gas Organization in Gujarat (May 2011)
4.20 Case of an Oil & Gas Organization in Bihar (June 2011)
4.21 Case of an Air Fueling Station (August 2011)
4.22 A Public Programme on BBS
4.23 BBS Implementation Experience of Managers
4.24 Safe Behaviours Increased in Three Days
4.25 Saving Others is a Human Instinct
4.26 BBS is a Dynamic Implementation Process – a Case (January 2012)
4.27 Differential Perception of Unsafe Behaviours in a Fertilizer Company
4.28 Field Observations during BBS Action Research
4.29 Conclusions
4.30 Summary of Behaviour-Based Safety
5. 101 Varied Reflections on Behavioural Safety
5.1 Accidents/Injury don’t Spare Anyone,Even Managers
5.2 Four Significant Aspects of BBS
5.3 Annotations on Safe and Unsafe/At-risk Behaviours
5.4 Conceptual Extensions of BBS
5.5 Shared Perspectives on BBS Approach
5.6 Vital Characteristics of BBS Observers
5.7 Positive Changes Attributed to BBS
5.8 BBS and Other Safety Systems
5.9 Managerial Perspectives on BBS
5.10 BBS and Minimum Standards of Safety
5.11 OHSAS 18001 and BBS
5.12 Relevant Questions on BBS
5.13 BBS is Beneficial
5.14 BBS is a Request for Safe Behaviour
5.15 Awards can make People Complacent
5.16 Voices of Indian Organizations (855 Participants from 21
Organizations)
5.17 Unsafe Behaviours Identified by BBS Trained Observers (in year
2011)
5.18 BBS Project Deliberations
5.19 How to Step-up BBS Project: an Action Plan Drawn during a BBS
Review Meetings at BILAG with 75 Staff /Workmen Observers on
October 2011
5.20 Family Perspective of BBS
5.21 That Safety Delays Production is a Myth
5.22 Ignoring Unsafe Behaviour Means Approving it
5.23 Each Unsafe Behaviour is a Risk for the Entire Plant
5.24 Total Safety Culture
5.25 Conclusions on BBS
6. BBS Implementation in a Large Engineering Company
7. Emerging Issues and Outcomes of Behaviour-Based Safety (BBS)
Implementation
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Research Method
7.3 Dealing with Issues and Apprehensions Faced by the BBS Lead
Trainers/Observers
7.4 Emerging Outcomes of BBS Implementation
7.5 Recommendations
7.6 Conclusion
8. Has Industry Really Prepared for Zero Accident? A Review
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Reasons for not Achieving Zero Accidents at Workplace
8.3 Targeting Zero Unsafe Behaviours to Achieve Zero Accident
8.4 Managers’ Concept of Behavioural Safety
8.5 Research Implications
8.6 Conclusion
9. Towards Maintaining Successful BBS Programme
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Research Method
9.3 Unsafe Acts/At-risk Behaviours Assessed (during July 2013 and
January 2014)
9.4 Training BBS Observers and Lead BBS Trainers
9.5 Steps of a Systematic BBS Programme Design for Organizations
9.6 Responsibilities of the Corporate Task Force /Local Steering
Committee on BBS
9.7 Methodology and Activities during BBS Roll-Out
9.8 Organizational Structure for BBS Implementation
9.9 Conclusion and Recommendations
10. Re-Contextualizing Safety Culture through Behaviour-Based Safety
in Industry
10.1 Concerns of BBS Steering Committee
10.2 Reduction in Injuries: 6 Months Post-BBS Implementation
10.3 The BBS Queries & Concerns of CMD (Chairman & Managing
Director)
10.4 BBS Review after 1-year of Implementation
10.5 Conclusions and Implications for Practice
11. BBS Implementation at an Indian Multinational Organization
11.1 The Questions Managers Pondered over before BBS Implementation
11.2 Critical Behaviours Responsible for Accidents
11.3 The BBS Roadmap
11.4 Linking BBS with Hazard Identification
11.5 Certain Issues in BBS Implementation
11.6 Best Experiences of BBS Approach
11.7 BBS Leading Indicators
11.8 Conclusions: Outcomes of BBS Implementation
(Note: it’s very important for plant/line managers to attend BBS steering
team meetings every month).
Normally, the steering team meets once or twice every month for
review/discussion.
4
Organizational Cases on BBS in India
This chapter includes original organizational cases and field observations
prepared during BBS training interventions over a period of twelve years
from 1997 to 2012 across organizations (such as, petroleum, engineering,
automobile, cement, power, chemical, pharmaceutical, etc.) as a part of an
on-going national action research survey of BBS in India and included 1751
executives and 713 workers in 64 organizations. It is assumed that the
information gathered from this longitudinal nature of the research and the
robust sample size shall be considerably useful for human resource and safety
professionals when they implement the concept and process of BBS for
reducing of accidents and promoting safe behaviours for developing an
injury-free culture in their organizations.
4.1 Analysis of Unsafe and Safe Behaviours
One hundred and thirty seven employees from five organizations, as
indicated in the Table 4.1 below, were asked to report their safe as well as
unsafe behaviours which they engage in on a day-to-day basis at home,
workplace, and when on their way from home to work and from work to
home. An analysis shows that an average of 52.6 per cent practise unsafe
behaviours and an average of 47.4 per cent practise safe behaviours.
Table 4.1: Unsafe and safe behaviours employees themselves engage in on daily basis
Organization Number of Number & percentage of Number & percentage Total Number
employees unsafe behaviours of safe behaviours of behaviours
1 30 311, 48% 330, 52% 643
2 28 230, 49% 239, 51% 469
3 23 158, 54% 135, 46% 291
4 31 219, 47% 243, 53% 462
5 25 226, 65% 124, 35% 350
Total 137 Average 52.6% Average 47.4%
This analysis shows that while every employee has engaged in safe
behaviours, they have simultaneously engaged in an unsafe behaviour, more
than 50 per cent of the times at home, workplace and on the road while going
from residence to their office and back. Therefore they need someone else to
look after their safety which is emphasized by the principle of BBS that
people need to take care of safety for each other, i.e., peer-to-peer safety.
These employees from various organizations were further asked to report
unsafe behaviours of their coworkers as perceived during the last one year.
Table 4.2 reveals that almost every worker has practised, on an average, 3.5
unsafe behaviours at their workplace on daily basis which can convert into an
accident, near-miss or it can also be fatal depending upon the activity workers
engage in.
Table 4.2: Unsafe behaviours of coworkers
Organization Number of Number of unsafe behaviours Average unsafe
employees perceived behaviours
1 21 106 5
2 21 61 3
3 17 104 6
4 16 81 5
5 19 83 4.5
6 26 105 4
7 27 81 3
8 19 68 4
9 34 113 3.3
10 30 97 3.2
11 30 79 2.6
12 30 59 2.0
13 26 70 2.7
14 24 66 2.8
15 22 38 1.7
Grand Average 3.5
This shows that the unsafe behaviours are possessed by each individual and
also their coworkers which is the root cause of any near-miss, injury or
accident.
During the BBS training, the 20 technicians and the 13 engineers were also
asked to observe their coworkers about their safe and unsafe behaviours at
the workplace, the results are as below:
1st shift 2nd shift
Safe beh. unsafe beh. safe beh. unsafe beh.
1st day 105 73 142 38
2nd day 64 33 82 15
The data in the two tables above reflects that due to BBS training, the safe
behaviours have gone up and unsafe behaviours have reduced from 1st shift to
2nd shift.
It was also observed that almost 1 per cent risk reduction is contributed
by each BBS trained observer, which indicates that more the observers,
more the number of observations, and more the percentage of risk-reduction
in the organization (Monsteller, 1989).
• The technicians and engineers were asked as to what did they like best
about BBS and the results are as follows:
• BBS induces self-introspection and alertness among workers.
• It’s a team-building and increased interactional process.
• It is about human safety.
• One is not forced to change in BBS.
• It involves two-way communication.
• It is a technician-based approach.
• It is not about punishing unsafe behaviour.
• We can change attitude by behavioural change.
• It helps building a positive safety culture.
• It is a systematic feedback approach (Marsh, et al., 1998).
The technicians and engineers discussed that the observers need to discuss
both creating safe environment and promoting safe behaviours in their
monthly meetings. The observers need not do mind-reading of an observee
during BOFP. Just keep doing BOFP in a routine manner to ascertain its
cumulative effect in terms of percentage of safe and unsafe behaviours at the
workplace. The observers also need to make a weekly observation schedule
in advance so that they can cover BOFP across departments in their
organization.
The technicians and engineers wished to know more about how to
regularize BBS, different types of PPE, whether BBS is also useful in ones’
life, how to achieve cooperation between observer and observee, how to
reduce personal stress of an observer, whether BBS is really effective,
whether to correct behaviour or attitude, how to draw an action plan to launch
BBS, can BBS be implemented in a risky work environment, is BBS
according to OHSAS, whether observers should remain same or change.
4.4 Case of a Steel Company
Two hundred and fifty senior management staff and 313 non-management
staff of a large steel company over two days in the state of West Bengal in
India considered the following aspects of BBS:
1. If management is not taking action for correcting unsafe conditions or
not supplying proper PPE, does it mean that the organization is not ready
for BBS? Is it not that involving employees under BBS project would
boost or encourage management to be proactive and resolve the pending
issues.
“Heads of Departments are the real bottlenecks in safety management that
is why I have arranged BBS awareness training first for them”–GM
safety.
2. The middle management can no longer sit on old unsuccessful
stories. They need to build success stories in creating safety culture under
BBS programme.
3. It’s often quoted that 90 per cent or more of the accidents are due to
unsafe human acts or behaviours. In reality, these unsafe behaviours on
daily basis exist in our organizations, and we are sitting on thousands of
unsafe behaviours at our workplaces. We need to recognize and find
ways to correct them by way of BBS.
4. Labor unions and workers in India are positive about getting
involved in BBS. They have also expressed a strong concern for
imparting BBS training to contract workers also, as almost 50 per cent of
the workforce in the organizational premises is contract workers. “Best
safety device is a careful worker which we can achieve through BBS”,
said a general manager.
5. Some departments/jobs have more at-risk behaviours than others
depending on criticality of the nature of work. These jobs deserve an
early BBS attention.
6. Other concerns expressed are as follows:
• OHSAS is incomplete without BBS and without involvement of
workers, OHSAS is helpless unless and until people actually
participate.
• BBS is a joint venture on safety between management and non-
management employees. BBS is a confidence building measure on
safety.
• Zero accident does not mean that we are safe.
• Certification from international bodies should not lead to
complacency.
• Behaviour modification in BBS is a challenge.
4.5 Case of a Cement Company
Three days of interaction with engineers in BBS in the state of Maharashtra
brought out the following issues:
1. Three groups of 88 engineers observed 239 unsafe behaviours of the
workers during three days of training on BBS. On an average, three
unsafe behaviours per worker were identified which means a total
workforce of 710 shop-floor employees possess 2030 unsafe behaviours
which is a serious concern safety for an organization. Similarly, a BBS
survey can indicate thousands of unsafe behaviours existing in an
organization. A manager said, “Though we are aware of the magnitude of
unsafe behaviours in our organization we did not know how to control
them.”
2. The engineers of the company realized that feedback makes a difference
in safe behaviour, not writing name on the BBS checklist makes a person
open, recording on the checklist boosts interest of an observee, and the
focus is better on safety with BBS approach. They also felt that the
department-specific checklists can be prepared as behaviours are job-
specific.
3. BBS observers opined that the BBS core team of 10-12 members should
comprise departments of the organization and they would also
simultaneously make a list of unfinished/pending unsafe conditions for
regular follow-up with management. “Safety should be there in the
behaviour of human beings which is lacking,” The unit head said.
4. An observer is a role-model for his observees for safe behaviours to
follow. In high-risk areas, the observers minimize the risk and increase
alertness on part of observees. Observers’ names should be displayed in
their respective department. It is not only observers who run the show;
observees also take care of each other’s safety.
5. In BBS, workers are involved as well as accountable for safety in the
organization. A manager said, ”BBS is the life-line and passport of
safety”.
6. About 50 per cent of unsafe behaviours are known to people at the
workplace, yet they are not pointing out. It is non-performance of safety
behaviour. When unsafe behaviours are existing in an organization for a
long time and safety has not been enforced or sustained it is unsafe social
behaviour. In BBS we create safe social behaviours where all workers
join together and involve in creating safe culture. “For 20 years of my
career I have not thought of safety, safety must have begun when we
started our career,” a manager said.
7. What should be the plan of action after having implemented BBS?
Basically, three things: estimating scope of re-training for observers,
assessing role of BBS steering committee, and determining progress of
BBS month-on-month basis.
8. BBS provides additional safety force in the organization. Training to
all employees maintains uniformity of BBS values and culture. So
training at all levels is essential either in small or larger groups. “BBS if
implemented is excellent for organization, if not, then also it is good,
training in BBS provides a different mindset towards safety of people”,
an HR manager said. “BBS would spread like a mobile”, a trained BBS
worker said.
4.6 Case of a Chemical Manufacturing Company
In the state of Gujarat, 53 senior and middle management employees (who
had work experience between 10 to 30 years) participated in a one-day BBS
workshop and brought out the following issues:
1. On an average 2.5 unsafe behaviours were observed at the shopfloor
which means about 1125 unsafe behaviours existed in the organization at
present (450 employees × 2.5 unsafe behaviours = 1125).
2. There are two kinds of employees as far as safety consciousness is
concerned. One kind of employees who have internal locus of control for
safety meaning they are internally conscious. The other kind of
employees who are externally conscious meaning they require external
stimulus to alert them regularly.
3. How to incude contract workers under BBS when a production
department has 50 permanent employees and 250 are contract workers.
This can be done in a phased manner, first train regular employees, and in
the second phase train contract workers. Both need to be oriented for
BBS concepts.
4. Whether fear factor is necessary for creating safety culture. No, because
fear or punishment will not give sustainable result in changing unsafe to
safe behaviours.
5. Should BBS be a man-specific or activity specific? It is of course activity
or behaviour specific. It is not a name or blame game.
6. Should observers do BOFP in their respective departments or across
departments? Initially, restrict to respective departments, later on when
observers mature in BOFP, they can be assigned across departments.
7. How much time BBS would take to give results, what changes can be
acquired through BBS. Surprisingly, BBS starts giving results quickly.
More the observers, more the observations, more the safe behaviours.
The outcomes or changes are the reduced unsafe behaviours, safe
working conditions, safe culture, etc.
8. Is it a new approach which would be out soon like QC? Not really,
because BBS is a data-driven approach (Pearse, 1997). What gets
measured gets done. As long as it gives results in terms of reduced unsafe
behaviours, it is most likely that BBS would stay in the organization. It
prevents accidents and accident-related costs.
9. Is it Gandhi-giri (soft approach)? BBS is a soft but its data-driven
approach.
10. The participants had mutually set the starting date and closing date for
launching BBS, held FPR (first person responsible) for BBS, and set a
date for microplanning details to be ready within a week’s time.
12. Hence, this one-day BBS workshop was considered to be a pre-launch
of BBS which provided a clear roadmap for launching BBS.
13. Many times observees are not aware that they are engaged with unsafe
behaviours, that is why, the observers have to be very alert in their
observations and save their coworkers from these unsafe behaviours
which can be very harmful.
4.7 Case of a pharmaceutical organization in Gujarat
One hundred and eighty six employees including workers and executives
were trained on BBS. The main observations that came out of the discussions
in six days of training are as follows:
1. Observers noticed 3.5 unsafe behaviours on an average per worker being
practised at their workplace on daily basis.
2. Observers found 34 unsafe conditions in observation tour and corrected
30 on the spot.
3. An observer first observes and thereafter provides feedback to an
observe.
4. An observer may observe 3-4 observees at a time while filling the
checklist for 9 critical behaviours.
5. Observees educate each other if an observer gives feedback effectively.
6. Normally, 10 minutes are sufficient for making observations and
feedback.
7. While giving feedback to contract workers, it is important to give
feedback simultaneously to their supervisor about the at-risk behaviours
observed.
8. Observers can observe anybody (same cadre or above) and give feedback
for correction.
9. Though 20 per cent of observers are selected per department in an
organization, 70 per cent of them must also observe contract workers as
70 per cent of accidents happen with them.
10. Unsafe conditions are the result of unsafe behaviours, address unsafe
behaviours on the spot.
11. People learn in four ways, observing, thinking, feeling, and doing.
Observers must use all these four ways to make feedback effective.
12. In this organization, a lady officer from quality department is the only
lady BBS observer in India.
13. Before the launch of BBS in the organization, the duties of BBS
team/coordinators were discussed and concluded as below:
• Distribute: Distribute checklist to observers daily in the morning.
• Collect: collect filled-in checklist from observers in the evening.
• Analyze: Analyze data weekly to understand the percentage of
safe/unsafe behaviours.
• Display: Display a graph of safe/unsafe behaviours.
• Conduct: Conduct weekly meeting with all observers.
• Make: Make a weekly round in the plant together with all observers.
• Follow-up: Monthly review meeting of all observers.
• Report: BBS team would report monthly progress to HSE Head.
• Launch: Ceremonial launch of BBS.
4.8 Case of a heavy engineering multinational organization
During January 2010, a group of 22 safety cocoordinators of a heavy
engineering organization employing more than 5000 employees in Pune
underwent three days of BBS training. They reported that four unsafe
behaviours, on an average, per employee, and decided that each safety
coordinator would adopt one department and create BBS awareness among
its people. They emphasized on the role and responsibility of each observer
which is a backbone of BBS project. Newly trained observers were in the
habit of observing unsafe behaviours and not giving feedback due to the old
mindset. It was realized that the observer should not give feedback even in
noisy work areas, take an observee to a non-noisy area so that the
communication is heard fully. Though an observer observes and gives
feedback to one worker at a time, he must not ignore many others who are
not wearing PPE; his job is to point out to others as well when he is on his
observation tour. An observer is not supposed to even ask the name of an
observee during BOFP. Observers must assert and persuade safe behaviours
on observees on the spot.
Observer’s duty also is to close/follow-up unsafe conditions which he has
observed during observation tour. If these unsafe conditions are beyond the
purview of an observer, he has to contact engineering / maintenance
department. Each observer may carry a digital camera to capture unsafe
conditions for internal discussion during observers’ meeting.
Benefits of BBS practical training reported by BBS observers:
1. Coaching and feedback skills of observers improved.
2. Deviations from SOP on part of observees corrected.
3. Knowledge of observees about unsafe conditions increased.
4. Knowledge of observers and observees about safety enhanced.
5. Mindset of observers changed.
6. Observation time reduced as observers maintained BOFP in routine.
7. Observees became more alert.
8. Observer’s confidence and awareness increased.
9. Operators around observees got alert.
10. Relations between observers and observees improved.
11. Self-satisfaction of observers gone up. “We are doing something
different.
12. Trust of observees in BOFP increased.
The observers discussed how at-risk/unsafe behaviours can be correlated
with monetary costs of the injuries? This could be done by way of calculating
the cost of injuries, man-days lost, property damage, court case,
compensations, medical expenses incurred in the years previous to
introducing BBS which could be compared with such costs saved in the years
after introducing BBS.
4.9 Case of a multinational chemical unit: unsafe behaviours
In February 2010, a group of 20 participants at the middle management level
of a multinational chemical unit in Hyderabad participated in a BBS
workshop and they observed that there are 71 unsafe behaviours of the
operators working in the plant and on an average there are 3.5 unsafe
behaviours observed per employee (71/20= 3.5) which meant that there are a
total of 217 unsafe behaviours (62 employees × 3.5) existing at present.
“Since 2008, we were reluctant to start BBS, thinking that it’s one more job,
however we started half-heartedly, now going through some more literature
and training, we got confident that we can do it,” said a plant manager during
this during the BBS training programme. “BBS would give 100% safety
without additional efforts,” the company’s pproduction head said.
4.10 Case of an Indian chemical group of companies
In April 2010, 41 senior managers of an Indian chemical group of companies
attended a day-long BBS workshop in Mumbai. In his opening remarks, an
executive director of the group said, “every person is a centre of safety.” He
added, “if we wish to make a change in safety status, first let us educate our
managers.” The managers opined that some punishment or fear has to be
there in improving safety scenario in organizations. An average of unsafe
behaviours per employee observed by these managers during the last one year
was found to be 5 (total unsafe behaviours 197/41=5) which created a
requirement for BBS in their organizations. A manager realized that BBS
needs to be linked with performance appraisal as observers contribute
towards safety improvement of the organization through their initiatives and
volunteerism of being an observer.
4.11 Case study of a multinational farm equipment sector
Eighty-one executives representing different departments in Maharashtra
attended four one-day BBS workshops in July 2010. The Head of the plant
mentioned that we had no accident in the past seven years, but lots of injuries
in the plant happened. During OHSAS audit, it was highlighted that all
officers and workers should be exposed to BBS. So the vice president took
the decision to launch BBS in the organization.
The number of unsafe behaviours per employee observed by the executives
during the preceding year was 9 which are multiplied by total number of
employees, i.e., 2000 × 9 = 18,000.
The cost of per unsafe behaviour was calculated as per formula below:
Number of injuries last year × tentative cost per injury /
Number of unsafe behaviours observed.
= 55 × Rs.10, 000 + (one major injury costing Rs. 2 laks) / 18,000 = Rs. 42
per unsafe behaviours.
It means when an organization has 18,000 unsafe behaviours in the plant, it
surely needs BBS, and by introducing BBS in the organization, it could save
not only employees from injuries but also the cost of Rs 7.5 laks per day
caused by 18,000 unsafe behaviours.
The workshop participants discussed the following matters:
1. Four types of observees: slow learners, high-risk takers, rough-tough
workers (these three types generally represent about 7 per cent of total
number of workers), and the fourth ones are normally cooperative
workers who are about 93 per cent. The 7 per cent require regular
observation for reinforcing safe behaviours.
2. Creating awareness among employees alone does not ensure complete
safety. Correction of unsafe behaviours is necessary. Though BBS
focuses upon zero unsafe behaviour, it’s equally important to create
safety attitudes, beliefs, knowledge and practices among employees
through regular safety education and training. BBS aims at creating
safety culture beyond fixing zero accident/ incident targets.
3. Four steps of BBS implementation: one-day BBS awareness training to
heads of all departments, two-day training to the trainers representing
each department who would, in turn, impart awareness training to all
employees; one-day training to BBS observers who volunteered from the
awareness training groups of employees, one-day training to BBS
steering committee volunteered from trained observers.
4.12 Case study of a multinational automobile company
Twenty-three managers representing 10 departments of an automobile
company in Maharashtra attended a one-day BBS workshop August 2010.
The number of unsafe behaviours per employee observed by the executives
during the last one year was 6 which when multiplied by total number of
employees, i.e., 1700 × 6 = 10,200.
The description of injuries occurred during the previous year in the
organization:
4. 72 first-aid injuries × cost, i.e., Rs 10,000 per injury =Rs 7,20,000
2.34 non-reportable injuries × cost, i.e., Rs 5,000 per injury = Rs
1,70,0003.6. Reportable injuries × cost, i.e., Rs 10,000 per injury = Rs 60,000
Total number of injuries = 112; total cost of injuries:Rs. 9,50,000
Per injury cost = Rs. 8482
The cost of per unsafe behaviour was calculated as per formula below:
Number of injuries last year × tentative cost per injury /
Number of unsafe behaviours observed.
=112 × Rs 8,482 / 10,200 = Rs 93 per unsafe behaviour.
The cost of unsafe behaviours is huge which differs from organization to
organization depending on the number of injuries last year, tentative cost per
injury, and the number of unsafe behaviours observed.
The BBS trained observer closes the unsafe behaviour there and then as it is
observed on part of an observee during an observation tour.
4.13 A case of an oil corporation
“In hydrocarbon industry, one behavioural mistake can cost huge in terms of
human loss and property loss, therefore safety has to come into our action,”
said a general manager.
Thirty-six heads of marketing departments across India attended two days
workshop on behavioural safety during July-August 2010 in Mumbai. The
unsafe/at-risk behaviours they observed in their workplaces are:
a. Safety shoes not being used by 30 per cent of employees.
b. Helmet not being used by 100 per cent of employees.
c. Gloves not being used by 100 per cent of employees.
d. Mobile at workplace being used by 70 per cent of employees.
e. Safety belt not used by 70 per cent of employees.
f. 30 per cent of employees did not attent safety committee meetings.
g. Smoking in prohibited area by 5 per cent of employees.
h. Safety goggles not being used by 100 per cent of employees.
They expressed that behavioural safety is a new concept and method for
better safety management which is worth trying, it is implementable at grass-
root levels, and is practical.
4.14 A case of an engineering procurement construction company
Eighteen senior management employees of an MNC company employing
nearly 2000 employees participated in a day long behavioural safety
workshop in August 2010. They observed on an average 5 unsafe behaviours
in existing amongst their employees. So the total number of unsafe
behaviours would be 10,000 for all employees.
On the office safety front, they found employees have six categories of
unsafe behaviours involving: housekeeping (water spillage, unorganized
files), use of equipment (computers /laptops), body positioning (bad posture),
communication (talking loudly and disturbing others), visual focusing, and
using mobile phones when at work.
They calculated cost of per unsafe behaviour as Rs 50/- using the following
calculations:
50 first aid injuries @ Rs 1000/- per injury = total Rs 50,000
3 lost time injuries @ Rs 20,000/- per injury = total Rs 60,000
7 near-misses @ Rs 5000/- each = total Rs 35,000
Total cost: Rs 1,45,000
The participants observed that since these injuries and near misses happened
near project completion time in last year, hence this may not provide the real
picture. During the project, the total cost would normally be around Rs 5
laks. Hence the calculated cost of per unsafe behaviour is Rs 50/- (Rs 5 laks /
10,000 unsafe behaviours).
They prepared an action plan: steering committee (10 members), area BBS
coordinators (20 members), and BBS observers (200 members).
4.15 Case Study of an automobile organization: Farm sector
Twenty middle and senior managers were trained on BBS in December 2010
in an automobile organization in Mumbai. They expressed that creating BBS
teams in each work area is an easy way to implement BBS at workplaces.
Each work area would customize BBS implementation as per their team’s
discussion. They used to observe and ignore unsafe behaviours, now they
would observe systematically and provide feedback to the observee with a
human touch. They would celebrate BBS day every three months. They
learned that:
1. BBS takes us from safety awareness to individual alertness;
2. Their target changed from zero accidents to zero instances of unsafe
behaviours.
3. It was a peer-to-peer safety movement and was a life saving process.
• Human touch in conversation will work wonders; it changes the attitude
towards safety.
• BBS should extend to their vendors also.
• People become concerned rather that casual or indifferent after training
on BBS.
• BBS team in each area would educate their workmen about the
concepts of BBS.
• They have 14,000 unsafe behaviours in the plant of 2000 total
workforce which they plan to bring down using BOFP daily basis and
also training more observers.
• Listing unsafe behaviours for each job and displaying at workplaces
would alert people.
4.16 BBS Project launched at Patna Terminal
The first Behaviour Based Safety (BBS) Project in Bihar State Office (BSO)
was launched at the Patna Terminal recently. Blue-collared workmen,
contractual workmen, TT drivers and security personnel were part of the
project. BBS is a bottom-up approach where the responsibility of safety is
taken up by the people handling day-to-day operations.
A team from head-office comprising Mr SK Singh, chief manager (HSE)
and Mr Raj Kumar Dubey, chief T&D Manager, along with Mr SK Jha, chief
terminal manager and his team of officers at Patna Terminal launched the
project. Dr HL Kaila, an eminent psychologist and a BBS trainer from
Mumbai, guided the entire project implementation.
In the first two days, the workmen were made aware about BBS and taken
to various operating areas of the terminal like Tank Loading Filling shed,
Pump House, Tank Truck parking, etc. They were asked to list out the safe
and unsafe behaviours, which they observed during their round of the
terminal.
During the programme, the workmen demonstrated how they had corrected
50 per cent of the unsafe behaviours on the spot. An action plan to correct
other unsafe behaviours was also discussed by the workmen. Later, about 21
workmen, including the contract workmen volunteered to become BBS
observers and take up the responsibility to daily observe safe and unsafe
behaviours in the terminal. A steering team comprising six workmen and two
officers was also formed to take this project forward so that all the unsafe
behaviours could be corrected on a day-to-day basis. The enthusiastic
workmen who attended the programme termed it “Bhai bandhuon ki
suraksha.”
4.17 A fertilizer company in Maharashtra
Six groups of managers, workmen, union leaders were trained in behavioural
safety approach for four days. The following observations were made:
Day No. of % of safe % of at-risk % of corrected at-risk Employee
participants behaviour behaviour behaviour type
1 21 48 52 41 Managers
2 22 56 44 42 Union
leaders
3 20 60 40 40 Operators
4 18 73 27 57 Operators
1. The above table indicates that the percentage of safe behaviours has
increased, percentage of at-risk behaviours has decreased and along with
the percentage of corrected at-risk behaviour attempted by the trained
BBS observers day by day.
2. The observers realized that the BBS project works at the individual
informal level as well as it requires a formal structure in the organization.
All HODs training in BBS and involvement is needed for its full
implementation.
3. “Production stream is disturbed as a result of any injury/incident, hence
correction of unsafe behaviours that triggers incidents shall boost
production,” a deputy general manager said.
4. They critically probed whether all 100 per cent accidents/injuries are
truly due to unsafe behaviours. Not really they discovered, as all plants
have some unsafe conditions. Our behaviour has to be 100 per cent safe.
5. They revealed that all top-down safety systems/approaches are jammed
now, and unable to reduce injuries/incidents, so it is time to go back to
workers in order to create brothers of safety.
6. Every new project that is usually heavily dependent upon contract
workers has experienced many fatalities due to at-risk behaviours caused
by target achievement pressurized by supervisors.
7. Each trained observer revealed the confidence that they can daily save
lives of fellow workers by correcting their at-risk behaviours.
4.18 A case study on BBS: July 2011
Twenty-five engineers participated in a day-long workshop on BBS. They
belonged to twenty-five project sites for installing air conditioning and
ventilation systems. The company in Chennai laid an emphasis on EHS.
They observed 192 at-risk behaviours in different categories as per the
following table.
No. of At- % of At
Behaviour categories risk risk
behaviour behaviour
PPE: 62 32
Using PPE, e.g., eye glasses, hearing protection, gloves, hard hat, etc.
Housekeeping: 20 12
Work area maintained appropriately, e.g., trash and scrap picked up, no
spills, walkways unobstructed, materials and tools organized…
Using tools and equipment: 38 20
Using correct tools for the job, using tools properly, and tool in good
condition.
Body positioning / protecting: 12 05
Positioning / protecting body parts, e.g., avoiding line of fire, avoiding
pinch points, etc.
Material handling: 29 15
E.g., body mechanics while lifting, pushing and pulling, use of assist
devices…
Communication: 08 04
Verbal and non-verbal interactions that affect safety.
Following procedures: 08 04
E.g., obtaining, complying with permits, following SOPs/SMPs /OCP/
SWP, lockout, tag-out procedures, etc.
Visual focusing (attentiveness): 05 03
Using mobile phones while working 10 05
Total: 192 100
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India said, “My air
force is always ready like the fire brigade”. BBS observers are also like fire
brigade, 24 × 7 instant observers and corrector of unsafe behaviours.
5.7 Positive changes attributed to BBS
61. “BBS training has more or less resolved my apprehension that
implementing safety standards in practice is difficult. The training has
shown that politely and consistently asserting safety in practice would
bring positive change”, a workman.
62. “There is a drastic change after BBS launch in terms of increased time
in safety discussions, wearing PPE, up-trend of safe behaviours”, BBS
observers.
63. Following are the differences noticed post-launch of BBS by twenty-
one observers: mostly workmen wore helmets, housekeeping maintained,
change in oneself, safety guards used by workmen, earthing was done,
tank-truck drivers alerted others to wear PPE, workmen wore goggles,
contractors promised to arrange PPE for their workmen.
64. A safety officer said, “I am happy that today I have got 12 trained
observers with me, I feel stronger. I was feeling alone as safety officer in
the organization.”
65. “Earlier we were five people making rounds, now we are 40 people
after BBS training”, a safety head.
66. “TPM educated us about near-misses, but BBS taught us about unsafe
behaviour,” a safety coordinator.
After having gone through BBS workshop, the observers found the
following changes within themselves: increased confidence to interact, a
better way to talk with workmen, sweetness in interaction, an emotional
touch, increased observation power (macro to micro) and scope (limited to
unlimited). They also found changes in observees/employees, such as,
increased safety alertness and awareness, rectification of unsafe behaviours,
wrong practices reduced. The trained observers planned to introduce BBS in
daily tool box talk.
Limitations / Deviations on Organizational Safety culture
67. “Top managements have initiated BBS for getting orders from foreign
clients. Accidents still keep happening after BBS implementation. The
workmen who implement BBS, they forget within 2/3 days or immediate
supervisors focus on production and bypass safety”, a safety engineer.
68. In a construction project activity, 25 persons were identified (by a
safety officer) who were working on a height without work-permit.
69. “Safety emphasis gets dissolved as it goes down from the main
contractor to next level of sub-contractors”, a general manager.
70. “Indian organizations could not develop safety culture, still we are
enforcing, if we don’t go to the site for 2/3 days, we still find lapses, we
find people without PPE”, a safety professional.
71. In projects, people are more concerned about completing work by
passing safety.
72. “Contract workmen need to be told once or twice but our regular
employees need to be told six time to follow safety practices at work,” a
safety manager.
73. “When it’s an audit time, then only I wear helmet”, a workmen.
74. More resistance actually comes from regular employees than contract
workers in implementing BBS. “Safety officer is coming now, I am going
to tell ten things which are pending”, this is the reaction of regular
employees, said a safety officer.
75. “As safety professional, we shout and irritate, somewhere we are doing
mistake, we should tackle with patience and positive approach”, Head of
HSE, DrReddys Lab.
76. Work permit is considered a permit to work, and not to read.
77. Culture of fear and distrust at the shop floor resist change among
employees, it’s a barrier in BBS.
In India, human resource is considered a commodity by the employer, one
will go, and another will come. Unless we value human life, safety does not
become a core value of business. “Safety is still considered with money
considerations in organizations and its status is like a daughter-in-law in the
typical Indian family,” a safety manager.
5.8 BBS and other Safety Systems
78. BBS and STOP are similar in principle but the structure is different in
terms of observers’ profile, checklist customization, and the
psychological emphasis.
79. Safety records are not sufficient to make plant safe.
80. BBS is alertness-based; other safety systems are awareness-based and
top-driven.
Some workmen hold on to negative approach and talk negative about
existing safety systems in the organization. They gradually open up when
constantly explained with positive approach.
5.9 Managerial Perspectives on BBS
81. Managers need to motivate observers daily for BOFP. Ten minutes of
BOFP makes all the difference in safety of an organization.
82. A senior manager said, “Each workman should not only go home safe
but also clean”.
83. BBS needs to be included into toolbox talk, induction training as well
as regular safety education and training programmes.
84. Top management is not exempted from BBS; actually top manager is
the chief observer.
85. “Along with BBS, we also need to buy better quality tools”, vice-
president (operations).
86. BBS needs to begin from top person of the organization, and then only
it would be successful, it requires strong leadership back-up.
87. Maximum behavioural change can be achieved by enforcement,
training and BBS.
88. Caring is more important than enforcement and education.
89. Improve communication with politeness to get acceptance of safety
implementation. No job is so important that it can be done unsafely.
90. Training to observers and management is the key to the success of BBS.
91. Lack of management support can lead to frustration among observers
when proper quality of PPE or tools is not provided despite many
reminders.
92. “Let’s follow BBS at the shopfloor in the name of humanity”, a
manager.
93. “The concept of public sector has failed; we don’t want to fail in BBS.
Target of observers did not meet, it does not mean that democracy does
not work and only dictatorship works,” vice president (operations).
Sometimes psychological resistance for BBS comes from managers. A
manager said, “BBS means a big-big stone which refers to a barrier created
by managers in introducing it. Safety leadership poses complexity when
safety issues are not addressed by plant manager.” ‘Misalign with
management’ is the fear, so the line managers bypass safety, said a senior
HSE professional. Formal BBS policy and top management’s commitment
are required for BBS success. Safety leadership must take off from the
workmen level as managers come and go. Advertisement for BBS and reward
for its observers are very important for its success.
5.10 BBS and minimum Standards of safety
BBS is more required and useful when minimum standards of safety are not
available in an organization. Observers alert workmen about their unsafe
behaviours. It does not mean that minimum standards of safety are not
required when BBS is introduced.
5.11 OHSAS 18001 and BBS
OHSAS is all about occupational health and safety, BBS is the only clause
that covers behaviour science when 90% accidents are due to unsafe human
acts. Some organizations introduce BBS only for OHSAS compliance.
“OHSAS is merely documentation,” a safety manager.
5.12 Relevant Questions on BBS
94. We launched a safety persuasion approach in our township for people to
wear helmet while driving, it did not work, how BBS would work? BBS
is a ‘systematic training and data-driven approach based on BOFP’ which
was perhaps not used in your approach.
95. Contract workmen are floating workforce, how to cover them under
BBS? We also need to essentially train observers from amongst the
regular contract workmen. The regular employees must also observe
contract workmen.
96. Even with BBS approach, most of the workmen go unobserved most of
the times at work. Then what? Essentially and obviously, we need more
observers, but observee also spread the message of BBS to other
workmen.
97. “What’s the key to plant safety is the behavioural safety?”, asked vice
president of a heavy engineering plant. He further added that the earlier
QC department was considered to be responsible for quality control but
then QC was made as a line function. Similarly, BBS is now a bottom-up
approach.
98. How critical is the unsafe behaviour? Each of the unsafe behaviours has
already resulted in fatal. So any unsafe behaviour can be critical.
99. Observers ask, “should we mark behaviour as safe after having it
corrected?” Yes, as a motivation to the observee. No, unless followed and
seen as maintained as safe.
100. Can observers address personal/family issues of an observee? Yes if
an observer feels experienced enough to deal with or he should refer the
case to a professional counsellor if an observee is alcoholic, drug addict,
or having marital discord. Observers can also be further trained in
counselling skills.
5.13 BBS is Beneficial
The workmen commented that being safe in the plant means being alert all
the time. Any external alertness makes a difference in behaviour. If we are
behaviourally perfect, safety is attached to it. Educate workmen in their
regional languages. Injuries in our plant have come down to 32 from 102
within six months of implementing BBS. Due to BBS intervention, the
number of safe behaviours is increasing everyday/shift. Number of unsafe
behaviours is decreasing everyday/shift. Number of unsafe conditions is
decreasing everyday /shift. BBS provides scope for interactive
communication with sensitivity for workmen.
5.14 BBS is a Request for Safe Behaviour
“When I was driving inside the plant, an observer (a worker) came to stop my
car and requested to slow down the speed saying that this month is for speed
control of vehicles within the plant. I felt so nice about this way of changing
to safe behaviour through BBS approach,” a senior manager.
5.15 Awards can make people complacent
According to a general manager, “Sometimes getting more number of awards
would make employees lethargic about safety.”
5.16 Voices of Indian organizations (855 participants from 21
organizations)
• I have become instant social worker with BBS training. It’s redefining
safe work environment. BBS is an ‘art of safe living’. I will save my
colleagues as his unsafe behaviours can affect me also. Other is not other,
he is our divine brother.
• Do not stop work, stop unsafe behaviour to reduce accident or injury.
Accidents are triggered by sequence of unsafe behaviours. “A small
mistake of any person can lead to damage to society, most accidents
happen when we are sluggish in the morning hours or when we are in a
hurry to go in the evening hours,” plant head of RIL Kakinada.
• Why do we excuse ourselves from correcting unsafe behaviour? BBS is
the kaizen of safety. Cost-saving from accidents or injuries must be the
prime focus of BBS.
• Indian management takes a view that BBS is a low cost safety
management device; hence they can do away with safety training or
providing PPE to employees. Mock-drill has become ‘chai-nashta’ in
organizations, people don’t actively participate.
• “Motivation gift must be given to active observers every month,” said an
operator. Observers have a ready and rapid sense of help to remove unsafe
behaviours among peers.
• Human error can fail all safety systems. Safe behaviour and safety
systems must go together. Observers are parents of BBS.
• BBS means back-bone of safety. It is a brotherly approach not command.
It is fatherly to motherly, dogly to godly behaviour and its pleasure not
pressure. Its based on request not order.
• “I will sweep away all unsafe behaviours from my
workplace/organization,” a sweeper.
• BBS is a collective call for safe behaviour in the organization.
• “Yesterday I missed but today I did not miss that unsafe behaviour of my
colleague,” a worker.
• “BBS is a practice which would improve quality of life,” a deputy general
manager.
• The employees who express good deal of understanding of the concept,
process and method BBS during their training shall be identified as
observers.
• BBS provides leadership skill for safety to employees but there is no
scope for blame on management for any failures rather partnering the
responsibility for plant safety.
• “I came to know through BBS that safety is easy to implement by
involving all,” a safety officer from an oil & gas company.
• BBS experience in organizations takes employees to four stages of
behaviour: from conscious unsafe and sub-conscious unsafe to conscious
safe and sub-conscious safe behaviours through regular observation and
correction process.
• BBS also drives organizations from reactive to dependent to independent
to interdependent modes for safe behaviour.
• People need to be greeted when they behave safe.
• “People have fundamental right to go home safely without a band-aid if
they came to workplace without a band-aid ”, Mr. Bindra, Director, L&T.
• “BBS is a business need today as a single unsafe behaviour leads to
business slow down,” a senior manager.
• “We can achieve zero unsafe behaviour by human touch, act and save
people around you before you feel guilty, man is for man, unsafe
behaviour is also impulsive,” a manager.
5.17 Unsafe Behaviours Identified by BBS Trained Observers (in year
2011)
S. Organization type Safe At-risk At-risk behaviours Average At-risk
No. & no. of employees behaviours behaviours corrected by behaviours per
% % observers % employee %
1 Atomic energy, 61 39 28 4.5
1200
2 Chemicals, 1300 76 24 70 4
3 Automobile, 1000 42 58 63 6
4 Petroleum, 150 54 46 65 2.5
5 LPG, 180 63 37 69 3
6 Petroleum, WI 120 67 33 52 4
7 Petroleum, EI 200 63 37 45 4.5
8 Petroleum, SI 250 83 17 71 4
9 Engineering, 5000 75 25 69 7
10. Lube Blending 71 29 50 3
Plant, 300
Grand Average 65.5 34.5 58.2 4.25
Our plants in India show 65.5% safe behaviours and 34.5% at-risk
behaviours. The trained observers not only learn an art and application of
BBS, they also learn correcting unsafe/ at-risk behaviours. According to
some workmen, BBS is a vaccination to prevent the disease of unsafe
behaviour and a trained observer activates all safety systems in an
organization. According to a senior manager, “Top-down approach has
miserably failed; hence BBS observers are required for plant’s safety.
Observers must act as visiting observer to other plants to share their
experiences.”
5.18 BBS Project Deliberations
During a 3-days training intervention with 257 participants at Lube Blending
Plant Chennai India including top/ Senior/middle managers, operators, truck
drivers, house-keeping staff.
1. BBS is an ‘art of service’ of removing an unsafe behaviour in such a way
that an observee feels delighted like someone serves you a hot soup or
dessert of your choice.
2. How an observer approaches an observee makes all the difference in the
attitude of an observee?
3. First line managers have taken BBS activities more seriously than their
senior counterparts.
4. Quick intervention is needed on the part of an observer to correct an
unsafe behaviour as soon as he observes it. Otherwise unsafe behaviour
might show an adverse effect on an observee.
5. Monthly incentive to the observers who make minimum 18-20
observations is necessary for their motivation.
6. “All times, all places, I would ensure safety”, a lady observer.
7. “I just feel confident about my plant safety after having trained 30 BBS
observers”, chief manager.
8. The first visit of observers to the plant is considered a pre-observation
exercise when observers establish first contact with the observees and
explain the concept of BBS.
9. Open house session with a large group (150+) helps creating awareness
and acceptance of the BBS concept in the organization.
10. The last level of employees such as drivers/house-keeping/contract staff
to be made aware of BBS concept as anybody who enters the plant may
commit an unsafe behaviour.
11. BBS is a life and humanity perspective as it is not just situation
resolving.
12. BBS at home: we learned to save lives and concern for safety of others
at home when we were young as parents taught us, we need to continue
that learning and its application.
13. Safety does not delay; it enhances production as it reduces accident-
related lost time.
14. Negative attitude of management should not impact the observer as
when we use BOFP; there is only me and my observee who needs to be
saved from an unsafe behaviour. Let not management’s fear affect my
interaction and objective with an operator.
5.19 How to step-up BBS project: An Action plan drawn during a BBS
review meetings at BILAG with 75 staff/workmen observers on October
2011
1. Every observer will make observations and corrections and fill-up
checklist once a day.
2. Observers’ meeting with steering team/BBS project leaders will take
place every 15 days.
3. New observers are to be included and trained as almost 50% existing
observers are found to be silent/passive observers.
4. Appreciation of observers by proper incentive and rewards to be decided
by the steering team/BBS project leaders. Observer of the month to be
appreciated by gift/certificate/display of his name at the main gate.
5. Provision of resources/compliance such as PPE to be monitored by BBS
project leaders. Unsafe conditions discussed in BBS steering team must
be complied with.
6. External review to be arranged every 3 months till one year.
7. Repeat survey to be conducted to identify changes as compared to
previous survey.
8. Project related contract workers to be educated regularly by observers.
9. Revision /simplification of the existing BBS checklist. Checklist only to
be tick-marked. Comments, etc., are optional. Filling of checklist not to
be forced upon by managers.
10. BBS project to be advertised through banners and posters across the
plant.
11. BBS project to be linked with performance appraisal.
12. Quality of observations to be emphasized by all categories of
behaviours observed.
13. BBS concept to be clarified to workers/associates again and again to
motivate them.
14. Data entry of the checklist to be done by safety department.
15. Change in managers’ behaviour is needed as they are negative, forceful
and abusive as reported by most workmen observers.
16. Steering team meetings happened every month but not a single meeting
with observers.
17. Production targets are emphasized more; hence managers are not
serious about BBS.
18. Improvements have seen in use of PPE, housekeeping, use of tools as a
result of BBS.
19. Continuous refresher BBS training for all employees is required for
change in their attitude for implementing BBS.
20. BBS observers checklist ‘drop box’ is needed which must be kept in
safety department.
21. Writing name of observer on the checklist should be optional as
managers point out to observers who did not fill-up the checklist and
abuse or behave negative.
22. BBS need to be implemented with six thumb rules i.e. simplicity (not
document-driven only), positivity, mutual regard, determination,
patience, and regular interactions.
23. Improvement in safety has increased from 40 to 60% within one year of
BBS launch. If the above suggestions are taken seriously, the
improvements would speed up greatly.
24. The above action plan is drawn through a day-long serious discussion
with observers; hence need to be implemented religiously to see a
positive next step in BBS project.
5.20 Family Perspective of BBS
It is only in India that the BBS observers give reference of family members
when they talk about safety to their observees. Often they say, somebody is
waiting back home, so better behave safer. It is interesting that family
reference is joined with behavioural safety. This really touches the coworkers
and they learn to behave safe whiling doing their work.
5.21 That Safety delays production is a myth
Safety delays production is a myth as any first aid injury causes a huge
production loss which can be avoided through BBS. The injury-related
production loss gets reduced by minimizing unsafe behaviour by observers,
hence safety actually fosters production. When an injury takes place in a
plant, almost all workmen talk to each other, tend to know what, where and
whom the injury happened, so at this time, almost entire plant’s production
gets affected.
5.22 Ignoring unsafe behaviour means approving it
Every time an unsafe behaviour is ignored, it is taken as sanctioned and a
silent approval by the workmen and also more it is understood as safe
behaviour. So ignoring unsafe behaviour of employees would mean to create
an unsafe workplace.
5.23 Each unsafe behaviour is a risk for the entire plant
Each unsafe behaviour is not only a risk to workmen, but also for others
around him and also it is risky for the entire organization. In Jaipur, the entire
marketing terminal of IOCL was on fire for12 days due to a single unsafe
behaviour of an operator.
5.24 Total Safety Culture
Total Safety Culture (TSC) can be created if we have active safety systems
combined with BBS implementation in the plant. Safety systems (such as
SOP, work permits, training, incentives, LOTO procedure, inspection, audits,
incident analysis, mock drills, celebration, certifications, compliance, etc.) are
necessary and prepare the workforce with the safe attitudes, but it does not
reflect in their safe behaviour. Hence, attitude-behaviour gap exposes an
organization with the at-risk behaviours of employees which is now being
tackled by implementing behavioural safety.
5.25 Conclusions on BBS
The above reflections have provided many important aspects of BBS such as
accidents/injury don’t spare anyone, even managers, the vital characteristics
of BBS observers, several conceptual extensions of BBS, positive changes
attributed to BBS, managerial perspectives and relevant questions on BBS,
and finally BBS is a request for safe behaviour. The trained observers
reflected 15% increase in safe behaviours within 2 days of BOFP application.
“I did not know a lot of unsafe behaviours, when observers went for 15
minutes to different work areas, they brought out several unsafe behaviours
existing at the workplace, there was a behavioural change from resistance to
reception among workers due to BBS training”, the terminal manager.
The lessons learnt from the BBS Indian research are that:
a. The series of unsafe behaviours occur ahead of any near-misses, injury,
fatalities.
b. Hundreds/thousands unsafe behaviours are noticeable at any workplace
on daily basis depending upon the size of an organization.
c. Showing zero accidents record and international certifications do not
really ensure safe organization unless we target zero unsafe behaviours at
workplaces.
d. BBS interventions have demonstrated fall in unsafe behaviours and rise
in safe behaviours. BBS training also assists in reducing the number of
unsafe conditions in the organization.
e. The managements have started believing that engineering controls alone
do not provide adequate safe workplace unless behavioural safety is
practised and unsafe behaviours need to be controlled in order to ensure
total safety at workplaces.
f. Though OHSAS 18001:2007 has included three clauses that emphasize
behavioural aspects of safety, the organizations have yet not followed it
exactly as the OHSAS 18001:2007 does not provide any guidelines on
how to implement these clauses.
g. The Indian multinational organizations have begun to consider the
human behaviour aspects of workplace safety more as compared to
yesteryears.
“BBS is the best policy to run my plant safely, and our target is to achieve
zero unsafe behaviour rather zero accident” – a manager.
6
BBS Implementation in a Large Engineering Company
Behaviour Based Safety (BBS) has evolved across cultures with a bit of
difference/ twist in its theoretical framework, research and practice and
appreciation for organizational requirements.
The Indian mentality is that we would live long as per our fate and destiny
irrespective of whatever unsafe behaviours we do. Thus, we Indians behave
as ‘khatron ke khiladi’ (playing with risks), instead we need to be ‘suraksha
ke sainik’ (safety soldier).
Safety culture and safety behaviours are two major concerns of top
managements in Indian organizations as many people die or get injures as
result of workplace accidents.
Safety in documents and implementation are two separate functions or
behaviours. It is necessary that what is reflected in safety documents is
implemented in behaviours of employees.
The team leaders, unit heads, managers, supervisor, union leaders,
contractors, workmen, etc., were trained (during Jan.-April, 2012 in Gujarat
state) in the concept, measurement, practical, analysis, implementation of
behaviour based safety (BBS) in group size of 25-50.
“Reason why I live safe is for my grandchildren,” Mr Bindra, Director L&T.
Vice president (EHS) remarked “If safety has to become a culture, it has to
change in behaviour, we are not doing something which is sustainable, and
how many of us reach out to contract workmen, behavioural safety is
sustainable. Today, institutionalization of safety is poor; today safety makes a
lot of business sense. Each of us can make a culture of safety.”
DuPont suggested through safety perception survey that we have all safety
systems and procedures in place but its implementation in behaviour of
employees is lacking. We lost seven lives in the past two years and had 60
reportable accidents. Now we have launched BBS for all units covering all
employees and contract workmen (EHS, LnT).
The 120 salient features of this BBS project emerged are as follows:
1. Seven phases of change process in safety culture through BBS in large
organizations:
a. Change Awareness - about BBS to all
b. Change Resistance - from some
c. Change Negotiation - with them
d. Change Implementation in units
e. Change Revision - through feedback
f. Change Stabilization - with continued effort
g. Change Review - of behavioural trends
2. Organizational change for BBS process for some units may be a slow
implementation.
3. Observers need an identity sticker on their helmet for their recognition
for BOFP.
4. Sharing positive examples of achievements for BBS implementation
from one unit to another would support.
5. Let each unit set its own small goals to implement without much
pressure.
6. Selection of BBS trainers can be identified by characteristics such as
communication skills, active interest in safety, already taken awareness
training about BBS, ready to implement BBS in their unit.
7. Contractors and BBS:
a. We can make BBS implementation truly effective only if we train all
workmen and contract owners/supervisors/engineers from all
units/shops.
b. Each contractor having trained in BBS creates awareness among
workmen. Each safety Marshall connected with contractors prepares
monthly BBS progress report.
c. Instead of filling up BBS checklist, contractors maintain a BBS diary
to enter their daily observations and corrections of unsafe behaviours
on their site.
d. The greatest benefit for contractors in implementing BBS (as they
observe and correct unsafe behaviours which trigger accidents /safety
violations) is that there would be a possibility of no penalty and there is
no threat of withdrawal of gate pass for contract workmen.
e. “Safety means not to experience any harm on the body so that we can
go home safely,” a contractual workman.
f. In BBS management, we have to first train all personnel concerned
with contracts as 70-80% injuries and accidents happen to them.
g. “I can help others for their safety, I can train them,” a BBS trained
contract workman.
Observer’s personality:
• The observer asked the observee, “if I behave unsafe, you must rectify me
also.” The observee felt good that the observer is showing concern for his
safety.
• Body language of an observer and the positive emotions with which he
deals with an observee are important for an effective interaction between
them.
• Almost every trained observer is contributing 2% of risk reduction
through observation and correction of unsafe behaviours.
• Every trained observer contributed 2% risk reduction through observation
and correction.
• Observation power has a lot of effect on others, generally people don’t
engage in unsafe behaviour as they perceive BBS observers around.
• Observers effectiveness can be understood through his behaviours such
as:
Being relation focused
Convincing
Assertive
Inspiring
Being result oriented
Correlating past experience
Ensuring safe behaviour
Not ignoring unsafe behaviours
Smiling
Giving personal touch
Educating procedure
Identify 10% observers from those persons who have undergone BBS
awareness training for regular observation.
Observers can use both hard and soft copies of BBS checklist.
Trained observers test each others’ observations for quality check.
All observers agreed to correct their own unsafe behaviours first and
then others.
Observers have to ensure that the change is observable from unsafe to
safe behaviour.
The quality of observer is reflected in terms of being respectful to other
employees, relation oriented, polite, closing unsafe behaviour,
providing human touch, requesting and thanking for safe behaviour,
solution focused and being frank, friendly and straight forward.
8. Criteria to behave with an observee
• Requesting
• Human touch
• Thanking
• Safer Solution
• Friendly
• Polite
• Saying consequences of unsafe behaviour
• Fearless about interaction with new observee
• Safety for the unknown
9. Four steps for BBS implementation by observers
• Toolbox talk
• Daily observation tour (shop visit)
• Displaying banners
• Reporting near miss/unsafe behaviours
10. The big question is how would BBS boost or fit into other safety
systems, such as, organizational safety structure, safety observations,
incident analysis, performance standards, and contract safety
management in terms of bottom-up involvement, making safety a line
function, and a positive/ proactive approach.
11. “It’s easier to teach / train BBS to workmen rather supervisors or
seniors as they think that they already know or they are not open to new
learning,” a lady observer.
12. There is a difference of a fraction of a second between near-miss and
fatal accident.
13. Brothers of safety at L&T remind you of safe behaviour at every
moment.
14. BBS is the biggest social work and religious activity for saving lives of
friends at work.
15. BBS is saving life of any body, any time, any place.
16. BBS is life style and human nature.
17. Be some ones’ buddy for safety (BBS).
18. One can apply BBS beyond one’s own site and workmen.
19. Unsafe behaviour leads to loss of safety, production and incentive.
20. People take healthy diets, go for exercising but still die due to stress
related heart attacks. Similarly, organizations care for all safety systems
but people still kill or injure them as they engage in unsafe behaviours on
daily basis.
21. BBS is affection based not compulsion based.
22. BBS taps an inherent ability of people to save others as we naturally
educate children not to engage in any unsafe activity and extend our hand
to a falling person.
23. How big is an accident, how small is an unsafe behaviour? realized a
workman.
24. Khatron ke khiladi se suraksha ke shainik banana hai.
25. We have all safety procedures, what we need is to have safe behaviour
among employees.
26. Unsafe behaviour leads to safety loss, production loss, incentive loss
and also business loss as it delays delivery to the ordering party. Once it
happened, a 55 ton job has fallen due to unsafe material handing
behaviour of an employee and it delayed for a month as it again was
taken for machining etc.
27. BBS is a 3-win situation, for an observee, an observer and the
organization.
28. We would not take calculated risk, rather plan before time and complete
it on time.
29. PPE compliance is low during summer time, 2nd/3rd shift, also among
50% employees having more than 20 years experience.
30. Compliance is more when dealing with hazardous jobs especially
handling material during night.
31. We would report unsafe behaviours with nine categories under near-
miss procedure.
32. BBS is relation-based safety.
33. Zero unsafe behaviour will save me, others and the organization.
34. Alert today, alive tomorrow.
35. BBS is build-bond-sensitize.
36. Initiating BBS would not mean that our safety systems have failed
rather this is the only system that involves 100% of employees/ workmen
in identifying /correcting unsafe behaviour on the spot and focus on zero
unsafe behaviours which is the root cause of all accidents, near-misses
and injury.
37. Safety systems exist on paper but safety lacks in behaviour of
employees.
38. Brothers of safety remind each other of safe behaviour at every
moment.
39. BBS is bottom-up ownership of organizational safety.
40. Unsafe behaviour conducted even once may kill or injure, but safe
behaviour again and again is safe.
41. Normally, people extend help to victims of accidents after they met
with accidents, but during BBS; people extend help before people meet
with any injury or near-miss.
42. For an effective implementation of BBS, the first line supervisors, shop
in-charges must be imparted training first as they pressurize workmen to
bypass safety.
43. First there was manthan and then kaizen projects, and now BBS in our
organization. What’s this change every time? This is due to changing
focus of new safety philosophies, first we focused on safety systems, then
on near-misses and on behaviour which is the root cause of all accidents.
44. Unsafe behaviours such as horseplay, not maintaining housekeeping
and using mobile phones while working among young fresh engineering
graduate employees, are very common.
45. Incidents reporting have increased as a result of BBS awareness.
46. BBS is mentoring not torturing people.
47. It may be nice to alert other person by a whistle when observed doing
unsafe behaviour.
48. Identify BBS trainers who have gone through awareness training and
also making observation rounds.
49. Do we value human life, can we overcome 100 per cent incidents; both
these questions are interwoven.
50. Who does a workman first listen to? It is either the supervisor or his
fellow workman; both these people need to be trained first in BBS for
effective implementation.
51. Unsafe behaviour is like a ‘snake and ladder’ game which adversely
affects both production and safety.
52. BBS training is considered an added qualification by observers to
observe and correct unsafe behaviours on daily basis.
53. Unsafe behaviour leads to loss of safety, production, related incentive,
business and motivation.
54. In India, on-paper safety systems are in abundance but it lacks in
employee behaviour.
55. Some workers behave unsafe even while wearing PPE. So observers
have to be watchful that people work with caution even with PPE on.
56. An observer remarked that supervisors should not worry to increase
production but enhance productivity among workmen.
57. BBS is an exchange of safety for each other as observers of unsafe
behaviours.
58. Workmen are real actors, architects and implementers of BBS at the
shop floor.
59. BBS is safety for known as well as unknown persons like visitors,
clients.
60. One man’s care is another man’s safety as an observer feels.
61. Let’s care for human machine, which can be ensured with a sense of
disciplined safety.
62. Behavioural sensitivity towards others safety is needed.
63. Each unsafe behaviour has taken some one’s life; it can take another
life again, so observers alert you every time.
64. Each unsafe behaviour is a kind of RDX, an atom bomb, or a virus
which keeps taking lives.
65. “I could have saved his life but I preferred to look another side, I feel
guilty,” a workman said.
66. People involve in unsafe behaviour (not wearing PPE or bad
housekeeping etc.) innocently and unconscientiously. Remind them
politely so that they follow safe behaviour so easily.
67. Progress of BBS would be measured in terms of number of observers
trained, frequency of observations tour being conducted by observers,
analysis of monthly data trends of safe and at-risk behaviours in each
unit, number of meetings being held with observers of BBS/EHS steering
teams, and display of BBS progress charts as well as BBS banners in the
unit shops.
68. So far we limited safety with rules and laws but could not find much
success, so we are trying full safety in true sense with BBS approach.
69. If somebody junior is requesting you for changing your unsafe
behaviour to safe one, don’t consider it a loss of self pride or respect.
70. “Others angry reaction does not prevent me from reminding and
correcting them for their unsafe behaviour to saving their life,” a Safety
Marshall.
71. “I thank others if they remind me of wearing PPE,” a workman.
72. “When I observe others unsafe that time what matters is what I say that
moment that he could live for some more time,” a supervisor.
73. “I don’t want to be a reason for others accident or death, so better I
remind them on the spot if I see them unsafe,” electrical design head.
74. Unhealthy behaviours (eating gutka chewing, smoking at workplace)
must be added to behaviour checklist as it affects safe behaviour.
75. We need to give a BBS card to each employee for recording ‘daily
corrections on the spot’ of unsafe behaviours at their site.
76. Saving others is generally at our sub-conscious level, BBS training
has brought it to conscious level.
77. MBBS means ‘Mera Bharat Bane Surakshit’.
78. ‘Nothing wrong will happen’ is a myth, when you see anybody doing
unsafe behaviour, it needs to be corrected immediately, and every unsafe
behaviour has killed somebody elsewhere.
79. “HIRA (hazard identification and risk assessment) training needs to be
imparted to all supervisors beside BBS training,” a supervisor.
80. “I remind others of their unsafe behaviour with true heart so that
nobody gets hurt,” a workman.
81. “Many people depend on me so I have to go back safe, and same is true
of others, so I remind others,” another workman.
82. DuPont intervention is more of “reporting & documentation nature’ and
less of ‘ground level behavioural change among workmen,” an EHS
officer.
83. Safety in all places, smile in all faces – a BBS slogan by a safety
Marshall.
84. BBS is “how to converse with workmen about safety and reduce gap
with them,” a supervisor.
85. “I will not hesitate to remind others to correct their unsafe behaviours
irrespective of what reaction I receive from them,” chairperson, safety
committee of ship building.
86. Workmen are better positioned to make corrections of unsafe
behaviours on the spot as well mentor their colleagues about safety.
87. “BBS means safety for entire world and caring for all living beings, and
safe care right from a cup of tea to workplace,” a workman.
88. “BBS focuses on an essence of time which means save people on time,”
assistant manager.
89. “The storekeeper does not give us material on time which means we
have to carry out work being unsafe,” a workman.
90. BBS is eliminating unsafe behaviour of colleagues in a friendly and
self-motivated manner.
91. Workmen are better positioned to make spot corrections of unsafe
behaviour than the staff.
92. BBS is to empower workmen for organizational safety.
93. “I was an informer of safety violations before attending BBS training,
and ordering people for safety promotion, now I am reminding them for
saving their life,” a workman.
94. Casual approach to safety = casualty
95. “I wish to join safety department,” a workman opined after attending
BBS workshop.
96. “BBS gives us an understanding of how many persons we are making
safe each day,” an engineer.
97. “I realized that I can save others’ lives, I can help others,” a workman.
98. “You are nothing but a human being, your designation comes after,
save human being, save others, they save you,” a workman.
99. It’s time that we care for people who work with us; otherwise we keep
losing them in workplace accidents.
100. “BBS adds to my good karma, and I have something to return to
society by way of saving human lives,” an engineer.
101. “Now since for a few days, corrections of unsafe behaviours are going
on by BBS trained observers, people are attentive and visibly working
with goggles and gloves,” a supervisor.
102. Care for peer is BBS. Its love and compassion. BBS is back-to-back
safety.
103. BBS is “never turn your head away when see an unsafe behaviour,” an
engineer.
104. “Please care for safety of a person sitting next to you, if you want
him/her to be alive next second. If we don’t care then who, not now then
when, not here then where,” a workman.
105. “A person’s life is more important than company’s objective,” another
workman.
106. Like we have electrical maintenance, BBS is safety maintenance.
107. Once Surdasji was going to temple, a person asked, “can you see the
god in temple as you are blind,” he replied,” “I can’t see but god can see
me.” Similarly, a person who is doing unsafe behaviour can’t discern but
an observer around him can see and save him.
108. BBS means living with safe behaviour.
109. It is important to study one’s own unsafe behaviours at home, on road,
at workplace:
At home On the road At workplace
Unsafe behaviours 1. 1. 1.
2. 2. 2.
3. 3. 3.
49 9 April 73 27 84 HE 12 Staff
50 10 April 68 32 89 HE 14 Staff
51 10 April 77 23 97 HE/LEMF 37 Contractors
52 11 April 72 28 63 HE 15 Staff
53 11 April 59 41 80 HE 09 Contractors
54 12 April 49 51 66 HE 53 Staff
55 12 April 71 29 91 HE 43 Contractors
56 16 April 75 25 98 Boilers 43 Workmen
57 16 April 68 32 83 Boilers 44 Workmen
58 17 April 70 30 93 Boilers 44 Workmen
59 17 April 67 33 84 Boilers 45 Workmen
60 18 April 65 35 69 Boilers 31 Workmen
61 18 April 67 33 81 Boilers 55 Workmen
62 19 April 77 23 91 Boilers 38 Workmen
63 23 April 79 21 92 Turbine 52 Workmen
63 23 April 63 37 78 Turbine 07 Staff
64 24 April 71 29 76 Turbine 31 Workmen
64 24 April 85 15 82 Turbine 14 Staff
65 25 April 80 20 91 Turbine 30 Workmen
65 25 April 72 28 70 Turbine 22 Staff
66 26 April 74 26 79 Turbine 64 Contractors
Average 67% 33% 74% 2138
Note: It is observed from the above table that observers themselves need
corrections in their behaviours.
116. Training outline for BBS trainers/ implementers/ observers: key
steps
1. Identify almost 400 BBS trainers/implementers/observers (minimum
2% of entire workforce almost 20,000) from operational areas in
consultation with EHS department in each unit. The number of BBS
trainers/implementers/observers would vary in each unit depending upon
its workforce size.
2. BBS trainers/implementers/observers would undergo 4 days training
in a batch of 30 persons; which means there would be a total of almost
13-14 batches to be trained in almost 50 days.
3. The functions of each BBS trainers/implementers/observers would be
to:
• Impart awareness training on BBS to a minimum of 50 persons in
his unit during 4 days of his training; hence these trainers would train
400×50= all 20,000 workforce in 50 days time.
• Making daily observation round as per BBS checklist in his unit.
• Forming BBS steering team in each unit from amongst observers.
• The functions of BBS steering team would be CDMA (checklist
distribution and collection), data analysis, monthly meeting of
observers and advertisement through banners.
4. Monthly Progress Reviews (MPR) on behavioural trends minimum for
one year with BBS steering teams and observers in each unit would
sustain the BBS implementation.
117. Considerations for future roadmap to institutionalize BBS
1. BBS implementation requires a strong a well defined/responsible BBS
steering team.
2. BBS project has been attended and approved by all unit heads to take
it further down the level so we have all reasons to continue with it.
3. So far about 1200 persons are trained, they may not be filling checklist
as we did not formalize the BBS system, and it must not be assumed
that there is zero implementation. People surely are making
observations and correction of unsafe behaviours in their respective
units as all those who attended BBS workshops gave positive feedback
both verbal and written at the end of each workshop. We must analyze
this feedback to understand mindset of people to impact the BBS
system further.
4. There is also a visible change in safe behaviours in different units as
reported by people.
5. To continue BBS awareness training for rest of the employees and
workmen as an overall average at-risk behaviour is identified as 30%
and correction of at-risk behaviour is 60% per observation round.
6. As conscientious management to succeed with BBS, we ought to be
continuously engaged with BBS training and process for minimum one
year.
7. Remember four steps of BBS implementation:
• Creating awareness among all – 3 months.
• Formalizing / institutionalizing BBS system –3 months.
• Assessing differences in safety scenario/statistics –3 months.
• Sustaining/reviewing/strengthening BBS system –3 months.
8. To have unit level meeting with unit heads and the concerned people
for formalizing BBS at respective units and resolving all
implementation issues.
9. To hold monthly meeting with appointed teams to strengthen
identified 5 focus areas.
10. Monthly meeting with EHS officers to discuss/address any
implementation issues.
11. To appoint unit level BBS coordinator.
12. To link BBS observation with performance objective.
13. To commence train the trainers program at the earliest to speed up
awareness of BBS.
14. To get nomination of minimum 10% observers in each unit and
provide identity sticker as BBS observer.
15. To display BBS banners in each unit for visibility of the BBS project.
16. As BBS implementer across India, I need to hold a meeting with the
special team appointed to look after the future of BBS progress.
17. We all take a vow that we shall lead the BBS project at L&T to
confirm upon the ‘Right to Safety at Workplace (RSW)’ for each
employee, each workman, and each visitor to send him safe and
uninjured back to his family.
118. Action Plan for Project: Peer-to-Peer safety (PPS) at L&T
Bangalore
a. The trained mentors of BBS shall provide awareness training to all in
their respective areas and achieve within two weeks.
b. Display awareness posters (BBS) to conspicuous locations.
• BROTHER-TO-BROTHER SAFETY(BBS)
• OBSERVE AND CORRECT UNSAFE BEHA-VIOUR ON THE
SPOT
c. Motivation scheme to staff & workmen (every fortnight).
• BBS competition will be held monthly to motivate workmen’s and
subcontractors. It will be facilitated with prizes.
d. Monitoring department-wise improvement regularly through team
leader.
e. Minimizing unsafe behaviour by implementing check-list and updating
for all activities.
• Pocketbook to be issued.
• To be done on daily basis
f. Conducting internal meeting monthly and confirm the corrective action
done.(EHS Committee meeting date monthly)
g. BBS internal audit will be conducted by Steering Team of observers
every three-months.
h. Pep talk, tool box talk and Induction training will include BBS.
• 15 points to be included in pep talk
i. Checklist format to be displayed in common notice board.
j. Area-wise scheduling of observers on daily basis.
k. Announcement of ceremonial launching to be done.
119. Conclusion
The BBS training for more than 1500 people has been perceived as simple
and responsive. Now we (the managements) are committed to draw the line
of action to implement BBS further as follows:
• To form BBS steering teams at plant level, unit level, and shop level;
• To identify and unit-wise trainers to train the rest of the employees and
contractors;
• To identify observers for creating monthly behavioural trends.
• First phase of BBS always creates awareness among people, and then the
second phase involves forming a steering team, identifying ‘internal
trainers’ and stabilizing BBS process of observation.
• “The major act of accident prevention in any organization is to having
shop rounds, observe and correct unsafe behaviours. The line managers
must lead safety, and then only we can really prevent accidents,” safety
head of turbine unit.
• Due to BBS training, near-miss reporting has increased, now near-miss is
better defined, as every near-miss is triggered by several unsafe
behaviours.
• “We are world class factory, we need to have world class safety,” Turbine
unit head.
“We shall relate all safety initiates with BBS,” expressed a senior official of
the company.
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7
Emerging Issues and Outcomes of Behaviour-Based
Safety (BBS) Implementation
7.1 Introduction
Employees violate safety rules inside the company as children do in school.
Employees begin compromising safety rules first by not wearing PPE
(personal protective equipment) and gradually go up to violating the SOP
(standard or safe operating procedures). These unsafe/ at-risk behaviours on
part of employees commence the journey for injuries and fatalities (Kaila,
2012; 2014). According to security personnel of a company, “fifty per cent of
contract workers inside the plant are not wearing PPE; we could not enforce
it at the company gate, as head of departments (HoDs) would call us to allow
them inside the plant without PPE as their work would suffer. On the other
hand, the contract workers did not wear PPE as they were not provided with
by their contractors and the safety department did not enforce penalty for the
same on the contractors. This clearly reflects that they all joined to
compromise with unsafe behaviours.”
With the change of ownership from top to bottom level, safety culture in
organizations has dramatically changed (David Broadbent, 2014). According
to Fred R. (2014), new BBS programmes evolve through continual training.
This requires communication skills among all employees, not just those on
the work floor. The management team must be as excited to see progress, and
participate with the behavioural observers on a continued cycle, where praise
and reward goes a long way towards sustaining the BBS program.
BBS means more people would voice for safe behaviours as being trained
observers (Kaila, 2013). According to a deputy general manager of the
company, “safety means the number of heads entered in the company
premises should be equal to number of heads out of the company gate (with a
smile) everyday.”
7.2 Research Method
A large gas company in India invited the BBS experts to implement BBS in
their gas processing units, petrochemical unit as well as pipelines for almost
4000 employees and 2000 contractors’ workmen. The methodology used for
implementing BBS is as follows:
1. Conducted BBS awareness workshops for 20% employees, i.e., 800
observers.
2. Conducted Five Days BBS Lead Trainers Workshop for 5%, i.e., 200
employees.
3. Conducted Five Days BBS Roll-out Activities including support and
hand-holding with lead trainers’ observation and feedback skills.
4. Formed and conducted meetings of Multidisciplinary BBS Functional
Safety Committees for Safety excellence and implementation (such as
Process, Physical, Maintenance, Road).
• Process Safety Committee: Review and updates on Safe Operating
Procedures, Work Permit System & Lock-out, Tag-out procedure,
Management of Change, Training needs, Incident Investigations,
Audits, Interlocks, Design Verses operating Parameters, Loading and
unloading etc.
• Physical Safety: PPE need and compliance, housekeeping, ergonomics,
equipment and tools, mobile phone usage, rules, regulation and
standards on safety and its compliance, etc.
• Maintenance Practices (mechanical, electrical and instrumentation):
calibrations, material handling, electrical tools, energisation and de-
energisation, etc.
• Road Safety: The road safety subcommittee is responsible for assisting
the Site Steering Committee to ensure road safety by developing road
safety guideline, travel guideline, rules and regulations for safe driving
and implementing other road safety measures, etc.
This is an on-going study and data in this article dates between September
2013 and May 2014.
7.3 Dealing with issues and apprehensions faced by the BBS Lead
Trainers/Observers
Multidisciplinary lead trainers/observers from various units/areas faced
various issues and apprehensions while implementing BBS and these are
dealt with as below:
a. How to deal with stubborn employees for correcting their unsafe
behaviours? – By persuasion, follow-up, coaching or challenging them.
b. How to deal with senior employees for correcting their unsafe
behaviours? – It is a matter of fear versus saving life. One should not
make discrimination between junior/ senior employees in saving human
life while dealing with at-risk behaviour which could trigger serious
consequences such as death.
c. People could enter fake data in BBS checklist of the safe/unsafe
behaviours observed. Restrict filling-up of BBS checklist by trained
observers and lead trainers. Random check on the quality of observation
by lead trainers. Compare percentage of behavioural trends with ground
reality of corrected behaviours on the shop floor. Being over-critical/
over-anxious about future implementation to be avoided. There is no
significant trend of fake data reported from other organizations. Hence,
better focus on observation process outcomes and discuss regularly.
Contract workmen may or may not fill observation checklist. They are
basically trained to observe and correct unsafe behaviours around them.
d. How to reward a best observer? Best observer could be rewarded for
maximum number of observations as well as corrections of unsafe
behaviours, maximum number of observations days, and maximum
number of behaviour categories observed.
e. Whether focus on observation or measurement: first focus on firming up
‘the process of observation and correction’ by creating BBS awareness
among all employees/workmen. Simultaneously and gradually focus on
efficacy and accuracy of measurements of BBS data.
f. Some employees do not involve or connect with BBS activity due to
organizational behaviour reasons such as lack of promotion, low job
satisfaction, poor interpersonal relations. To resolve this, first sensitize
these people to the concept of BBS and then involve them in leadership
role for BBS project activities for promoting their self-regard which has
been damaged due to negative organizational experiences.
g. In addition to the above, some HoDs/OIC’s apprehension for BBS
implementation came up in terms of the extent of involvement of people
and time due to lack of standard manning.
7.4 Emerging Outcomes of BBS Implementation
It is a desire of meeting targets that people exercise power and authority,
hurry up and bypass safety, and in this process that the poor workmen are
disabled or killed. Therefore, we need to challenge our own behaviour first
and question our consciousness that is it proper to kill people to achieve
targets. This was implicitly confessed by the training participants.
BBS implementation in organizations has positively reflected in audit
reports. Safety auditors have appreciated involvement of employees in safety
behaviours (Kaila, 2013). An executive director said, “With BBS
implementation, everybody would become behaviour safety officer 24×7,
365 days”. An engineer in-charge expressed that applying BBS inside the
plant depends upon my boss. Therefore the role of unit heads is to encourage
people through e-mail messages or personal interaction with observers is
necessary.
Each awareness workshop was inaugurated by different general managers
each day pumping energy into participants. This is something special.
Training and safety departments coordinated very well. Work permit
violations have been reported to a great extent. PPE non-use and its lack of
provision is a big issue. An acceptance of BBS concepts is reflected through
one-day sessions’ participants. However, the resistance was also shown by
some participants mentioning organizational constraints such as target
pressures, lack of standard manning. The site BBS steering team and
functional committees are formed. An issue of lowest quotation came up very
significantly as the concerned contractors were least bothered or educated
about safety issues or providing basic PPE to their workmen. Another issue
of production priority over safety required organizational leadership
intervention.
The visible outcomes that emerged as a result of BBS Implementation are
the following:
1. Developed 359 BBS observers and 56 lead trainers to carry forward the
safety culture movement to the remaining staff/contractors. Their
enthusiasm and openness is witnessed.
2. Five-day workshops upgraded the lead trainers’ clarity of BBS concepts
and skill of training delivery to their colleagues. As a result, the lead
trainers conducted three supervised workshops with full confidence, faith
and conviction in BBS at each location.
3. Lead trainers felt a sense of satisfaction by correcting serious unsafe
behaviours by regular reminders. They prepared the BBS awareness
training module with much creativity and field examples.
4. Prepared IT enabled BBS Checklist, BBS Observation Card, Banners
and Sticker for observers’ identity.
5. Average base level of behaviours at sites was found to be 73% safe
behaviours, 27% unsafe / at-risk behaviours. As a result of corrections of
unsafe behaviours, the safe behaviours have gone up from 73% to 95%
that needs to be sustained by continuing BBS observation rounds.
6. Some of the characteristics of lead trainers were found to be: good voice
quality, involvement of participants, clarity of BBS Objective, dealing
with questions effectively, creativity and originality of
examples/workshop material, high energy level.
7. The receptivity of the BBS programme by employees, CISF (Central
Industrial Security Force), contract workmen at the sites is felt to a great
extent.
8. The BBS banners are displayed across the plant.
9. The monthly BBS award scheme has been chalked out for observers
based on observation data in 4 categories i.e., executives, non-executives,
CISF, and contract workers.
10. The BBS Checklist (bound booklet) was distributed to all trained
observers for continuing observations.
11. The personal involvement, administrative support and leadership of
OIC, the cooperation and coordination of Head (Fire & Safety and IT),
and all HoDs is visible and appreciated for all BBS activities.
12. The regular discussions on the daily developments were held between
BBS task force members and experts.
13. The guidance and involvement of faculty members was found to be
useful for the site to implement BBS in true spirit and to be an incident-
free organization.
14. Despite all strengths of BBS implementation, some employees at the
sites expressed resistance, pressures of work for target completion, too
many audits going on, degree of time involvement and lack of resources
such as PPE, etc., which were dealt with effectively and addressed by the
officer in-charge (OIC) and BBS experts.
15. The regular highlighting of the fact at the sites that the BBS
implementation is a corporate agenda and personal involvement of the
Chairman of Corporate Steering Committee, General Manager – HSE and
his Team, Task Force Members helped implementation of BBS.
16. Interacting with individual HODs and clarifying their role and
involvement facilitated driving BBS.
17. Behavioural changes are visible as a result of implementation as
perceived by the lead trainers.
18. Lead trainers perceived that on an average, 75% of safety is exercised
by the work-permit issuer, 50% by the receiver/ accepter, 30% by the
executors and these gaps are filled by the BBS observers.
19. The closing meetings of the Site BBS Steering Committee expressed
satisfaction and looked forward to the first follow-up meeting with BBS
experts.
7.5 Recommendations
Unsafe behaviour of anybody in the site/plant is a continuous risk for all
persons and the plant till it exists and does not get corrected. Unsafe
behaviour howsoever small would become critical for life and property
anytime. The following recommendations would help consolidating BBS
implementation for maintaining incident-free organization (Kaila, 2013a).
1. Lead trainers/observers must practise observation of one SOP or work
permit or Lock-out Tag-out (LOTO) a day besides observation of PPE or
housekeeping, etc.
2. It is suggested for the company to set up an e-group on the intranet
/website for lead trainers, observers, and those related to BBS from all
sites to share their success stories and experiences.
3. Maintaining a ‘directory of lead trainers of all sites’ at the Corporate
HSE and periodic mentoring by the corporate team would facilitate BBS
project.
4. The CISF enforcement for ‘use of PPE and disallowing mobile’ at the
gate by employees as well as contract workers is emphasized. The CISF
needs to be empowered for the same.
5. Lead trainers are backbone of BBS implementation and their active
participation is a must for successful BBS implementation.
6. Lead trainers are also internal change agents within the organization and
has to train further observers, weekly review among themselves and
sharing observations on fortnightly basis among their departmental
observers for continuous improvement in their respective departments.
7. The training honorarium/incentive to lead trainers as per existing
company rules for conducting training for non-executives/contract
workmen would be a motivating force.
8. It is suggested for sites to display ‘board for best observer’ of every
month, board for behavioural trends as well as display board for listing
names of site lead trainers and area observers.
9. The Corporate BBS Task Force members should simultaneously train
themselves and emerge as permanent BBS trainers to sustain this project.
Moreover all HSE staff whenever they are on internal audit should also
conduct BBS refresher programme for the sites across India.
10. The lead trainers must conduct first BBS awareness session for
contractors, their supervisors as well as concerned engineers-in-charge as
most safety violations take place from contractors. For example, most of
the contractors have not provided basic PPE to their workmen and the
company has also not enforced much or put penalty for not providing
PPE.
11. Field medical attendant on the site is needed for immediate care for
preventing blood loss in case injury. “I have visited the plant area 17
years after joining the company hospital today for BBS observations”, a
lady medical officer.
12. Completing 100% BBS awareness training by lead trainers across the
plant is a challenge of lead trainers. Weekly schedule for BBS awareness
training for each lead trainer is needed for spreading awareness across the
plant among all employees and contract workmen. This schedule needs to
be prepared by safety department along with lead trainers.
13. Validation of observers’ training conducted by lead trainers is required
which can be achieved by weekly contact/meeting between them for
better implementation.
14. Near-miss incident reporting is to be replaced with unsafe behaviours
for HSE index as near-miss shall be reduced by corrections of unsafe
behaviour itself.
7.6 Conclusion
Almost all accidents are a compromise with unsafe behaviours.
Every day, 6300 people die as a result of occupational accidents or work-
related diseases, i.e., more than 2.3 million deaths per year (International
Labor Organization, 2013). This case research points out that accidents at
workplace are caused as a result of compromising with unsafe/at-risk
behaviours on part of contractors, engineers-in-charge, security/safety
personnel and HODs in order to achieve more production in less time. This
fact is agreed by all concerned during deliberations while implementing BBS.
This reflects that people are pushed to accidents and killed by organizations
in a joint effort of all in any project execution. As unsafe behaviours are
promoted jointly, they could be discounted jointly as per BBS approach by
including all employees in the process of observation and correction of
unsafe behaviours. Almost all accidents can be avoided by BBS
implementation accompanied by corporate leadership towards zero tolerance
for unsafe behaviours at the workplaces.
These days, workers and executives of Indian organizations are working in
a highly competitive and hard-task oriented environment. Sometimes, they
have to give the targeted production with less manpower in less time. This
results into creation of unsafe conditions due to pressure and they begin
adopting shortcuts to safe operating procedures. In such situation, it is
required to care for their unsafe behaviours by their coworkers which are
missing in Indian organizations.
The safety standards, systems, procedures and manuals are well defined in
companies but unsafe behaviours are observable at several execution points.
According to an executive director, “we have best safety systems but not the
best safety behaviours”. The existence of unsafe behaviours precisely reflects
the lack of enforcement and compromising with safety standards which is a
collective arrangement of HoDs, safety department, the plant head and
contractors to meet production targets. At the company gate, if security
personnel stop employees who are entering without proper PPE, some senior
employee would call up or send email to the security department to allow
such people inside the company so that the work does not stop. Such
compromise with safety only begins with PPE and then employees and
workmen compromise safety standards at every execution level even
violating work permit, LOTO, SOP. This is how safety culture deteriorates
and accidents happen. Hence, the unsafe or accident behaviours are carried
out with the knowledge of all concerned simply to achieve targets.
The unsafe behaviours exist and occur every day at the workplace indicate
that the journey for injuries and fatalities for employees have commenced. It
is widely recognized that the unsafe or at-risk behaviours of employees are
the root cause of almost all accidents in organizations. If we try to analyze
why people died in workplace accident, we understand that their unsafe
behaviours were not observed and/or not corrected. By increasing number of
trained BBS observers, we augment our range of observations and address
unsafe behaviours of employees and contract workmen on regular basis. To
sustain safe behaviours, we need to observe and correct unsafe behaviours
again and again by training behaviour safety observers in every area of an
organization. Thus, BBS implementation attempts to minimize or zero down
injuries and fatalities at the workplace. “If BBS was implemented earlier, it
would have saved a few more lives”, a senior safety manager said. BBS is to
promote safe behaviours partnering everybody in an organization as an
individual change orientation leads to organizational change.
Finally, an overall feeling about the BBS implementation experience is
found to be encouraging and satisfying for everyone involved in this case of a
large Indian gas company which could be a great support for other
organizations willing to implement BBS for taking a step forward to
achieving zero unsafe behaviours.
References
David, Broadbent (2014). Email communication. 3 Jan 2014.
Fred, R. (2014). Email communication. 24 March 2014.
International Labor Organization (2013). Safety and health at work.
Retrieved on May 26, 2014.
http:/www.ilo.org/global/topics/safety-and-health-at-work/lang-en/index.htm
Kaila, H.L. (2012).Behaviour based safety in organizations. New Delhi:
Prasad Psychological Corporation.
Kaila, H.L. (2013). Review of BBS implementation in Indian organizations.
World Focus, 13 (1), 10-16.
Kaila, H.L. (2013a). Is industry really poised for zero accidents? World
Focus, 13 (2), 14-19.
Kaila, H.L. (2014). Are we really prepared for zero accident at work?
Business Manager, 16 (9), 15-20.
8
Has Industry Really Prepared for Zero Accident? A
Review
8.1 Introduction
Globally, achieving zero accident at the workplace remains one of the major
social and economic areas of concern. Every day, 6300 people die as a result
of occupational accidents or work-related diseases, i.e., more than 2.3 million
deaths per year (International Labour Organization, 2013). Struggle to
manage safety situation at workplaces continues. Safety audits are done,
awards have been received, and documents are in place. Still organizations
wonder what to do to ensure adequate safety of people. An injury hurts the
organization because a factory inspector comes and investigates and asks so
many embarrassing questions.
The concept of zero-accident (JICOSH, 2013) refers to the total
participation campaign into the organization which sounds attractive in a
theoretical sense. But practically, zero-accident seems a far-fetched promise
of business managements as human safety would not get an absolute
preference over profits from production. There is a safety perspective but
implementation remains an unlikely endeavour in view of the accident
statistics of almost every organization. Workplaces continue killing and
disabling people regardless of a variety of existing safety systems, standards
or international certifications. Safe workplace is a myth or reality, this paper
probes on the issues involved as depicted in Figure 8.1.
Figure 8.1: Theoretical Framework for Zero Accidents (Kaila, 2012)
Zero accidents/injuries at work place requires
↓
Safety (change) management initiatives
↓
Review of safety systems & behavioural safety implementation
↓
Appraisal of organizational safety values (human life considerations)
↓
Safety leadership (at all levels)
↓
Linking safety to employee performance objectives
9.1 Introduction
Organizations introducing new BBS programmes have many questions
before they implement the same at their workplaces. The corporate HSE
departments seek the involvement of the top management executives, expose
them to the concept of BBS to get their consent, and also involve the heads of
the sites where they plan to launch BBS. Consequently, there would be a
series of pre-implementation exercises and preparations that the HSE
departments undertake. Finally, the major task remains to identify the BBS
expert team members who would facilitate introducing this organizational
intervention with results in terms of desired changes such as positive
difference in the organizational safety statistics, i.e., rate and frequency of
injuries, accidents, near-misses and at-risk behaviours among employees and
workmen.
Some noteworthy opinions expressed by the safety practitioners are as
follows:
• “With the change of ownership from top to bottom level, safety culture in
organizations has dramatically changed”, David Broadbent (email
communication, 3rd Jan 2014).
• According to Sri Lankan safety officer, “as long as we keep trying to cut
costs at every level, what we really succeed in doing is cutting lives”.
• At the inaugural function of BBS implementation on 11 Dec 2013 at Gas
Authority of India, the director of marketing operations stated that it is
paradoxical to say that we have safety department, in fact everybody
should be a part of safety. BBS is a journey; it’s a volitional activity more
than compliance.
9.2 Research Method
This chapter is an extract from the data of a longitudinal national action
research survey on behaviour based safety in India. It’s an on-going study in
which almost 600 BBS training workshops were conducted for 10,600
workmen (operators, technicians, contractors, union representatives) and
2400 managers at all levels between 1997 to 2014 in diverse multinational
organizations across industrial sectors. The Indian companies which
participated in such BBS programmes were Maharatna / Navratna companies,
Energy Giant, chemical, automobile, pharmaceutical, electrical, nuclear,
steel, construction, shipping, coal, heavy engineering, and so on). They were
exposed to the BBS concepts, observation and feedback processes, and
implementation of BBS in an organization. The workshops were held in
English/Hindi language of about 30-50 per batch of training participants. The
participants in BBS programme expected to know the following:
• How to reduce accidents by changing behaviour?
• What is an easily and quickly implementable safety approach for
unskilled/casual labour?
• How to teach contract/casual workers for minimizing accidents?
• What is the concept of BBS to improve safety performance?
9.3 Unsafe acts/at-risk Behaviours Assessed (during July 2013 and
January 2014)
Table 9.1 below reflect that on an average, 84% behaviours of the employees
and workmen are perceived as safe and 16% behaviours are perceived as
unsafe. This was determined through discussions with HoDs as well as visits
to the plant. This data directs us to say that plant has the safety systems
/procedures as shown in the nine behaviour categories below but these
systems are not reflecting in safe behaviour of the employees and workmen.
This confirms the need for BBS implementation for better safety in order to
target zero unsafe behaviour in the plant. It is important to remember here
that any single unsafe behaviour is capable of triggering an accident/ injury
or fire any time, and if it is not addressed; it has to convert into an incident
for sure. An individual category of behaviour below needs to be monitored
which must be done during the BBS implementation process.
Table 9.1: Perceived % of Safe Behaviours and At-Risk Behaviours
Behaviour Categories Perceived % Perceived %
of Safe of At-Risk
Behaviours Behaviours
1. PPE - Using, e.g., eye glasses, hearing protection, gloves, 85 15
helmet, etc.
2. Housekeeping - Work area maintained appropriately, e.g., trash 84 16
and scrap picked up, no spills, walkways unobstructed, materials
and tools organized.
3. Using tools and equipment - Using correct tools for the job, 83 17
using tools properly, and tool in good condition.
4. Body positioning / protecting - Positioning / protecting body 79 21
parts, e.g. avoiding line of fire, avoiding pinch points.
5. Material handling, e.g., body mechanics while lifting, pushing 78 22
and pulling, use of assist devices.
6. Communication - Verbal and non-verbal interaction that affects 80 20
safety.
7. Following procedures, e.g., obtaining, complying with permits, 90 10
following SOPs, lockout, tag-out procedures.
8. Visual focusing (attentiveness) 83 17
9. Using mobile phone while working 94 06
Average 84 16
Day 3
• BBS Project organization
• Formation of BBS Steering Team and its Tasks
• Displaying BBS banners/posters at the location
• Preparation of training material, observation card & stickers for observers
• Participants’ learning assessment & queries
Day 4
• Nomination of a dedicated BBS Project Coordinator at the location
• Ensuring strong leadership drive by the OICs/HODs for BBS project
• Linking BBS observation as part of PMS/KRA
• IT enabling BBS Observation checklist
• Developing BBS training as an e-module
• Participants’ learning assessment & queries
Day 5
• Ceremonial launch of BBS project by Management at the location
• Announcing BBS project on company portal
• Developing base level of safe& unsafe behaviours at the location
• Issuing an official written announcement of BBS project at the location
• Issuing BBS sticker to the Lead Trainers to be put on the helmet as an identity
• Issuing Training Attendance Certificate to all participants as motivation factor
• Participants’ learning assessment & queries
• Workshop Evaluation & Valediction
• There is a reduction in LTI, MTI, and first aid injury. At-risk acts have
gone down by 80% and safe behaviours increase by 63%.
• ‘Safety is not my concern’ has reduced to almost 50%. At-risk behaviours
are increasingly being identified. Regular meetings of the BBS steering
team are happening. BBS data are being entered in SAP system.
• Reporting of near-miss is encouraged. But when near-miss was reported
and a HoD was punished, then people stopped reporting near-misses.
Also, as the data entry is by name of observee/defaulter, the observations
have gone down from 1200 to 400, i.e., 3:1. Only 40% mentors/observers
are active, hence there is a need to refresh and reflect upon the basics of
BBS to practice for passive members.
• The company is providing resources if the contractor fails. A weekly
observation round by each HoD is happening. Workmen ask for PPE
before starting the work. Staff and workmen have started alerting seniors
for their unsafe behaviours.
• The BBS drive is there but worker-to-worker (WTW) corrections are not
seen. The mentors have to see that the observers training is effective, and
it becomes learning for implementation, sharing by observers takes place
on weekly basis.
• A safety officer expressed that we allow some minor unsafe behaviour
which we should not do. This is in fact atypical of safety officers in most
organizations.
• BBS is included in PAP (principles of accident prevention) and PEP
(preliminary elaboration of procedures) talks.
10.5 Conclusions and Implications of Practice
Generally, people in India are more than casual in safety precautions while
crossing roads, travelling in overcrowded public vehicles, not following road
safety rules, lack of safety education in schools, etc. However, Safety
Management Leadership across India has significantly increased due to BBS
revolution. There is much pressure on senior managements for implementing
safety in plants. According to a general manager, “So far, BBS was
happening as a corporate mandate to find out who is at fault and doing unsafe
and take appropriate action, now we have refined BBS approach as a
corrective and proactive way. Today as per Board of Directors, safety is on
priority list.”
This research points out that the safety officers and site engineers allow
several safety compromises, as a result of which the violations that the
employees practise on daily basis impact the company’s business. BBS
postulates that it’s not only keeping our plant accident-free, but also society
free of accidents as well. We should not be a part of accident statistics rather
be a part of 100% safe behaviour. The BBS system requires corporatization
so that individual plants get integrated and continuous contribution gets
appreciated. The ratio of how much a manager behaves unsafely in personal
life as compared to work life, on an average, is almost 30:70. Hence, there is
a reason to emphasize upon self-corrections. One of the plant managers said,
“Earlier I did not give time to safety officer, now I am trained in BBS, we
both would implement BBS”. An active leadership matters a lot in creating
an accident-free plant (Kaila, 2014).
There is a direct correlation between percentage of employees/workmen’s
involvement and percentage of safety culture. If you involve 50% of
employees, you get 50% of safety culture. If you wish to have 100% safety
culture, you need to involve 100% employees/contract workmen in
observation and spot-correction of unsafe behaviours. As OHSAS: 18001
stated that all organizations must adopt a procedure on human behaviour
aspects of safety by involving all employees so that they identify and control
the risk at workplaces. The accuracy of observations are necessary in
corrections of at-risk behaviours, hence employees must have knowledge
about their jobs, hazards, SOPs, processes involved, etc. BBS means to fill
the missing link between an unsafe behaviour towards safe behaviour of your
colleague working with you. A general manager said, “if they (employees)
are safe, we are safe, safety is not only mandatory, it’s a habit/behavioural
pattern, safety trauma can be reduced the BBS way’. Our final goal is to
make BBS everyone’s life value, hence it is imperative to activate this
dormant value of life saving in every human being in order to create safe
societies and safe work life for all.
BBS is a significant contributing tool for corporate safety management
performance. An implementation of behavioural safety is meant to a
reconstruction of safety value across the corporate towards human life safety.
BBS is a permanent solution for developing an assured safety culture
involving all employees. It’s a change/difference management from cuture-1
to culture-2 which involves changing the present antecedents as depicted in
the ABC Model below:
Antecedents (A) Behaviour (B) Consequences (C)
Antecedents are the safety systems, Behaviour can be safe or Negative consequences are
policies, procedures that trigger / unsafe, and is influenced injuries, fatalities, near-misses.
activate behaviours in the making of both by the antecedents & Recognizing and rewarding safe
an existing culture (C1). consequences. behaviours are positive
BBS builds new safety culture consequences which must be soon,
involving all (C2). sure, sincere and significant.
Individual perception of
consequences decides safe or
unsafe behaviour.
The success of BBS is truly considered only when the safety department has
handed it over to the line management. Safety department should initially
involve in coordinating its activities but gradually pass on behavioural safety
ownership to the line function. Behavioural safety is being applied
successfully worldwide instead of command-and-control approach to
occupational safety (Geller, 2004).
BBS is an art of communication and correction of unsafe behaviour at work
is the responsibility of one and all to develop zero harm and safe
environment. If an unsafe behaviour exists at one place, be aware that the
same unsafe behaviour is also prevailing at other locations as it is a reflection
of safety culture which requires global or horizontal prevention. For example,
if a work-permit or SOP violation is noticed in one unit, it needs to be
identified and corrected at other units of the company as well in order to
develop safe culture (Kaila, 2014).
Safety first is only a slogan in Indian companies; it does not appear in
practice. In realty, its production first, and safety is put to back stage for cost
reasons. BBS is much more than enforcement, it is deeper. BBS is yoga for
safety. We shall ask each contractor to appoint safety mentor and the
company BBS mentor would train them. These are some comments made by
participants of this case study.
A major objective of this case is to gain knowledge for organizations
considering to implementing BBS towards achieving zero unsafe behaviour
targeting zero injury at workplaces.
The BBS programme was implemented in four locations in India at Sesa
Sterlite, a multinational company (employing 9000 employees/workmen in
its metals and mining business units) that were trained as BBS mentors and
observers over a period of one year. This programme included the concept
and process of BBS, plant visits for observation and correction of at-risk
behaviours, developing road map for implementation of BBS, linking BBS
with safety systems such as hazard identification, accident investigation and
safety audits, developing training module for imparting training to all
employees, formation and functions of BBS steering team. The participants
included managers, heads of departments, contractors, and safety officers
from across entire plant.
11.1 Questions Managers Pondered over before BBS implementation
Safety is an integral part of all our functions, but even after having all the
safety systems in place we are unable to achieve injury-free culture (Kaila,
2013). The managers in the present study viewed the success of BBS with
critical perceptions. A set of 20 important questions were asked and clarified
by the participants before BBS implementation as below.
1. How do you define BBS approach and what is the benefit of BBS
implementation?
2. Why do you want to teach behavioral safety to a person working for 20
years?
3. How to activate or motivate the passive observers? How do we ensure
that the observers don’t fabricate the observation data?
4. BBS helps the company in production (without accidents), should it not
reflect in employee salary also.
5. What is the guarantee that after BBS implementation, accidents would
not happen?
6. Are we not creating fear in the minds of workmen by educating
consequences of accidents, and that if you don’t behave safe, you would
get injured or killed?
7. Do we have any guidelines how do we go about implementing BBS?
8. We have many safety programmes, fatalities are not decreasing, how
would BBS help?
9. Does it mean that earlier safety programmes have failed, that is why we
are doing BBS?
10. Would BBS implementation increase our work, i.e., training more
observers, etc?
11. Is BBS a magic wand that by introducing it, we are going to achieve a
safe environment?
12. Do we need to improve other safety systems such as contractor
management, HIRA, safety audits along with BBS? How shall we sustain
BBS?
13. Is there any benchmarking for BBS progress or behavioural trends?
14. How do you deal with difficult/tough/high risk observees?
15. What are the two challenges of BBS implementation?
16. Do we need additional time or extra efforts to implement BBS?
17. How to achieve rise in safe behaviours and fall in unsafe behaviours?
18. What is the safety status before and after BBS implementation?
19. Whether procedural deviations are linked to supervisors and managers
behaviours?
20. How to control the most critical incidents with BBS approach?
Each of the above questions /doubts was addressed in details to inspire the
mentors to implement BBS. If these apprehensions are not clarified, it creates
problems in implementing.
11.2 Critical behaviors responsible for accidents
The existing data of the company indicated that besides other factors, the
major reason for the incident occurrences happened due to not following
safety procedures (32.88% and 57.89%), i.e., LOTO, SOP, work permit
system (WPS).
Year 2013-14 Year 2014-15
Critical Behaviours
Occurrence % Occurrence %
PPE 11 7.53 1 5.26
Housekeeping 10 6.85 1 5.26
Using Tools & Equipment 20 13.70 1 5.26
Body Positioning 7 4.79 2 10.53
Material Handling 6 4.11 1 5.26
Communication 1 0.68 0 0.00
Following Procedures 48 32.88 11 57.89
Visual Focusing 34 23.29 2 10.53
Use of Mobile at Work 1 0.68 0 0.00
Others 8 5.48 0 0.00
Total 146 100.00 19 100.00
In addition to the above, the experienced managers from different sites
identified common accident causes that have rooting to behaviours were as
follows:
• Taking shortcuts.
• Being over-confident.
• Starting a task with incomplete instructions.
• Poor housekeeping.
• Ignoring safety procedures mental distractions from work.
• Failure to pre-plan the work.
11.3 BBS Roadmap
The data of regular plant observation visits by BBS mentors and observers
indicated that on an average, the safe behaviours observed were 65%, at-risk
behaviours were 35%, and correction of at-risk behaviours were 70%. It was
found that after corrections, the safe behaviours increased from 65% to 90%
which indicated that the mentors and observers not only learned the BBS
concepts; they also practically applied and tested the efficacy of BBS
implementation.
The trained mentors and observers prepared a roadmap and action plan
along with a responsible person and target date to achieve each action as
below in order to implement the BBS approach for all employees and
workmen in the organization.
Project Title for BBS Implementation: Zero Unsafe Behaviour & Zero Harm
Sl. Actions Responsibility Target
No Date
1 Circular by COO with a message for BBS project implementation COO office 16 Jun
14
Forming BBS steering teams for every plant Unit head 14 Jun
- BBS convener for plant : To be decided by plant head/steering 14
team
- Steering team members : Plant head, depts. HoD, safety head
Ceremonial inauguration of BBS programme for all units with HR(for 18 Jun
display of inaugural banners function)/Safety(for 14
banners)
Announcing BBS inaugural ceremony on company portal as IT department-PID 18 Jun
corporate initiative 14
First meeting of unit level steering team at respective units BBS Convener - 19 Jun
Plant 14
Developing IT enabled BBS observation checklist & creation of IT department-PID 14 Jun
group-mentors of BBS (M-BBS) 14
2 Identifying BBS observers from staff, workmen & contract (10% HR/M-BBS 15 Jul
of workforce) from each areas shift-wise & conducting practical 14
training for the same.
Conducting BBS awareness training for all employees and HR/M-BBS 31 Aug
contract workmen 14
Displaying BBS banners and posters across areas. Safety Dept. 31 Jul
14
3 Ensuring daily observation rounds by trained observers & M-BBS & Daily
entering daily data in IT enabled checklist Observers
Ensuring strong leadership drive (mentoring, monitoring & Plant Head/HoD Monthly
motivating) by all HoDs for BBS project activities. review
meeting
4 Compliance with proceedings of steering team (ST) meetings Steering team Monthly
review
meeting
Setting guidelines for linking BBS with PMS/KRA and HSE HR/steering team 30 Sep
system; 14
Conducting quarterly interplant BBS Audit by M-BBS Steering Team 18 Sep
14
Conducting half yearly external BBS audit by BBS expert. BBS convener 18 Dec
14
5 Monthly review meeting of BBS steering team with observers Steering teams Monthly
review
meeting
Display of behavioural trends across plant at AO war room, Safety depts. Weekly
depts. notice board
Presentation of BBS trend across various units Safety Depts. Monthly
Comparing safety statistics every six months before /after launch Safety Depts. 18 Dec
of BBS 14
Celebrating BBS annual day. HR/Safety Depts. 18 Jun
15
6 Fixing BBS training budget-raising note for approval Steering team 19 Jun
14
Issuing BBS sticker for observers’ identity to all trained M-BBS 15 Jul
observers; 14
Including BBS Rules in vendor’s terms & conditions Steering 19 Jun
(appointment of BBS observers) team/Purchase 14
depts.
Rewarding monthly best observers across all categories based on Steering team/HR Monthly
maximum number of observations as per approved scheme by
steering team.
Note: Time frame for full implementation of BBS – one year and sustaining
further.
The plant head, safety head as well as all HoDs discussed the above action
plan in greater detail and then ensured to implement in their respective
workplaces. The plant head stated that I failed to address the behavioral
aspects of safety earlier but now I will do it as per roadmap prepared.
The trained observers from another business unit of the plant (where BBS is
implemented) expressed that the company should not only look at the number
of observation cards filled-in, we shall go on making corrections of unsafe
behaviours, but may not fill cards. For example, during the shutdown of
plant, the operators made hundreds of corrections of unsafe behaviours but
did not fill-in cards due to lack of time. At the same time, 50% of observers
were found to be passive as they made only a few observations in the
previous months. There is need to train more observers in order to create an
improved safety culture. However, the HoDs emphasized the importance of
filling-in observation cards for generating behavioral trends.
11.4 Linking BBS with Hazard Identification
It is observed that the safety systems, documents, procedures are in place but
lack in reflecting safe behaviours. Hence, the need is felt to relate an
important safety system like hazard identification with BBS. In this pursuit,
the eighteen types of hazards were identified as below and for each hazard, a
set of behavioral corrections were also identified which should be ensured by
the BBS observers and the BBS mentors must discuss them during BBS
monthly steering team meeting. It is important to identify and control
environmental hazards in order to create zero harm culture.
Hazard identification checklist to be ensured by observers & monthly audit by
mentors of BBS in each unit
S. Type of Behavioural Correction
No. Hazard
1 Entanglement - Following SOP - Proper housekeeping - Avoiding shortcuts - Proper
guarding/barricading of moving parts of equipment
- No loose clothing, jewellery - Alertness - Avoiding intoxication such as
alcohol/drugs
- Proper rest between work hours in shifts
2 Gas Poisoning - Authorised entry - Following SOP- 2 persons with 2 CO monitors
- Following work permit - Ensure healthiness & timely calibration of detection
systems
- Use of PPE’s (gas masks)- Prompt correction of leakages post alarms
- Display caution & awareness boards
- Not to work with empty stomach
3 Electrical - Use of certified tools & tackles - Ensure proper shutdown & LOTO
Shock compliance
- Provide proper earthing - Avoid wet surfaces - Avoid loose cable joints -
Caution boards at required places - Do not bypass safety interlocks -
Authorisation details on panel rooms
- Proper nomenclature of feeders
- Use of RCCB - Not exceeding no. of joints than specified in SOP
4 Dust - Dust suppression using water sprays, humidifier, fog gun, etc.,
- Use of dust masks & PPE - Proper maintenance of de-dusting systems
- Enforcing limitation to speed limit of vehicles in plant
5 Working at - Compulsory pep talks before start of work
height - Use of certified ladders, scaffolds, platforms
- Use of safety harness, safety net - Maintaining 3-point contact while climbing
& getting down
- Supervision - Use of mechanized elevated platform/certified jhoola for the
work
- Check for overhead live cables at the height of work
- Ensuring no-violation of work permit
6 Exposure to - Using gloves, eyeglasses, boiler suits, leg guards, face shield, safety shoes,
high etc.,
temperature - Use of aprons, overcoat - Body positioning & alertness on the job
- No use of gum boots - Adherence to signboards displayed in the area
- Work permit compliance - Maintain first-aid box in the vicinity
7 Fall of - Use of safety helmet by the people - use of certified lifting tools & tackles like
material/object slings, Chain pulley blocks, D-shackles, etc.,
from height - Barricading of area with tape
- Working at 2 levels (one above the other) not to be allowed, may be allowed
with precautions like blanking.
- Pre-lifting plans - Proper housekeeping - Check for toe guards & hand rails -
Materials not to be thrown - Use of safety net wherever required
- Do not leave any unsecured objects on roof/work platforms/walkways
-Proper arrangement to carry tools
8 Vehicle - Identify the pathways for transit - one way/2 way
movement - Ensuring adherence to speed limits - Ensure no overtaking/overloading of
vehicles
- Ensure the driver does not climb the vehicle while loading/unloading
- Ensure proper parking methods - Should not cook/rest below the vehicle
- Spotter & loaders should wear fluorescent jackets
- Random alcohol test - Ensure vehicle is not moving with lifted body
- No mobile usage while driving - Looking through the rear view mirror & co-
ordination with the spotter
- Ensuring queue discipline - Ensure reverse horn - Check for awareness of
motor vehicle act by the drivers (PUC, Valid DL, etc.)
9 Noise - Use of ear plugs/mufflers - Periodic measurement of noise levels - Providing
acoustic/silencer at generating source
- Providing signages
10 Poor - Ensuring periodic measurement of lux levels
illumination - Ensure adequate illumination before start of work
- Improve illumination with additional lights
- Keep emergency lights handy
11 Explosion - Following SOP & work permit - Ensure purging of gas line before work on
gas lines
- Ensure periodic testing of pressure vessels & gas lines
- Keep manholes/relief valves/inspection covers open & take shutdown while
working on gas lines
- Ensure use of flashback arrestors on both sides, torch & cylinder side
- Dissemination of knowledge of assembly points
- Proper storage of flammable substances
- No smoking in gas-prone areas
- Awareness of material safety data sheet
- Use of Flameproof light fittings/Cables in LPG yard/battery charging
rooms/petroleum storage
- No storage of gas cylinders in direct sunlight
12 Corroded - Ensure periodic check of structures for stability & corrective action with
structures painting etc.
- Prevent overloading of structures - Ensure spillages are cleaned
13 Drowning - Barricade the areas with potential for drowning
- Use of lifebuoys/trained employees to rescue drowned persons
- Ensure SOP is followed (at least 2 persons while going to waterbodies)
- Use of proper pathways - Avoid shortcuts while walking
14 Trapping - Make proper benches while stacking coal & rectify all undercuts
under coal - Correct choice of material handling equipment
- Periodic refresher Training of persons using material handling equipment
- Barricading of heaps not in use- Ensure proper Illumination & ventilation
- Proper access & pathways for heavy equipment movement
- Good housekeeping - Proper illumination - Avoid handling of reptiles, call
15 Reptile bite animal rescue expert
- Creating awareness about hazards due to reptiles
16 Job by - Ensure safety & on the job training under close supervision
Untrained - Ensure no job on visitor gate-pass
Person
17 Poor - Ensure 5S is in place
Housekeeping
18 Ergonomics - Educate & create awareness among people
References
Geller, E. Scott (2004). Behavior-based safety: a solution to injury
prevention: Behavior-based safety empowers employees and addresses the
dynamics of injury prevention. Risk & Insurance, 15 (12, 01 Oct) p 66.
Health and Safety Executive (2013). Why leadership is important. Retrieved
on June 30, 2013. http://www.hse.gov.uk/leadership/whyleadership.htm
Kaila H.L. (2010), Behavior-based safety programs improve worker safety in
India. Ergonomics in Design. Vol. 18 (4), Fall, 17-22. CA, USA.
Kaila H.L. (2011). Organizational cases on behaviour based safety (BBS) in
India. International Journal of Human Resource Management, Vol. 22, 10-
12, 2135-46, June-July 2011.
Kaila, H.L. (2013). Review of BBS implementation in Indian organizations.
World Focus, 13 (1), 10-16.
Kaila, H.L. (2013a). Is industry really poised for zero accidents? World
Focus, 13 (2), 14-19.
Kaila, H.L. (2014). Emerging issues and outcomes of behaviour based safety
implementation. Industrial Safety Review, June Issue, 80-86.
Kaila, H.L. (2016). Behaviour based safety management across industries:
India survey. Industrial Safety Chronicle, April-June Issue, Vol. XLVII (1),
95-101.
12
संगठन म वहार आधा रत संर ा
1
Index
A
Accidents, behaviours responsible for 163
Active observer, concept of 22
Actively caring, by 17
B
BBS 2, 83
at Qatar Chemicals Ltd. 131
benefits 76
concept 1
conceptual extension 67
contractors and 86
cycle 7
decision making 5
effectiveness 87
experience 174
family perspective 82
hazard identification 167
implementation 14, 23, 114, 165
by observers 88
emerging outcomes of 116
issues in 172
methodology 114
organizational structure for 146
outcomes of 175
preferred action plan for 29
problems 24, 28
road map 23
successful 14
steering committee 25
in India 31
lead trainers 115, 141
leading indicators 174
managerial perspectives 73
minimum standards of safety 74
objectives 1
observer 17, 19, 20, 141
characteristics 69
eight P’s for 21
failure 19
observation and feedback 14
test of excellence 21
organizational health and safety 10
other safety systems 73
perspectives 67
positive changes attributed to 71
principles 6
problems 25, 28
processes 14
program design 144
programme 24, 138
project deliberations 79
project step-up 80
pyramid 4
queries & concerns 154
relevant questions 75
responsibilities 29, 152
roadmap 164
roll-out activities 145
roll-out plan of actions 146
significant aspects 65
success factors 24
summary 61
tenets 6
trainers’ programme 101, 142
training impact 4
training participants 17
training project 24
triangle 129
works 8
Behaviour with an observee 88
Behaviour observation and feedback process (BOFP) 10
Behavioural safety,managers’ concept of 130
reflections on 63
Behavioural trends 96
C
Corporate task force, responsibilities 145
D
DuPont 85
G
Good interpersonal skills 20
H
Hazard identification checklist 168
J
Japan International Center for Occupational Safety and Health 126
L
Local steering committee, responsibilities of 145
O
OHSAS 18001 and BBS 74
OHSAS 18001:2007 2
OHSAS-compliant practice 2
P
Problems encountered in observing and giving feedback 18
S
Safe and unsafe/at-risk behaviours, annotations on 65
Safety compromises 149
Safety culture, phases of change process in 86
T
The zero-accident campaign pillars of 126
Total safety culture 10, 83
U
Unsafe and safe behaviours, analysis of 31
Z
Zero accident 124, 127
reasons for not achieving 126, 127
theoretical framework for 125
Zero unsafe behaviours 128, 165