The following program implementation is the Esler 4R process for driving change within industrial facilities as it relates to safety.
- Release Electrical safety has been overlooked by many operational and implementation staff. This may be a result of poor previous education, dangerous work habits, or governance. As it is not our goal to determine the resulting factors outside of assisting in absolute resolution but to implement a safe work environment, these are not areas to associate blame but to view past organizational attributes to be overcome. To help properly educate your employee, follow these steps:
- Explain what changes are to be made: “I understand we are currently performing “X” procedure. This we need to replace with “Y” procedure.”
- Explain why the changes are to be made and the benefits of the new procedure: “Organizationally we have been lucky that we have not had an accident in results to procedure “X” (or if you have had an accident outline here), but nationwide other companies who also previously practiced procedure “X” have had injuries and deaths totaling 300+ per year. Procedure “Y” helps to mitigate risk of injury by …”
- Explain corporate acknowledgment and plan to remove obstacles: “[Company] as a whole recognizes that procedure “X” is placing its employees in a dangerous position and feels it is important to protect you and your family’s best interest. To help assist in the procedure “Y”, [Company] has {explain associated “remove obstacle” measure from Section 2}.”
- Remove Obstacles It is important for organizations to help replace poor habits by helping streamline new ones. This not only increases the likelihood of compliance via improved efficiency but shows operational staff that the organization is taking these changes seriously. When removing obstacles, be sure to start with a full list of what the organization plans to accomplish. Also, take time to utilize internal problem-solving techniques with special attention to additional safety and operational hazards associated with the change. If you need help with the problem-solving techniques, read “Sprint” by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, and Braden Kowitz, and “Traction” by Gino Wickman (specifically Chapter 6). Examples of obstacle removing measures are:
- Handily placed PPE adjacent to the work area
- Installation of remote operation, viewing windows, or protective devices
- Adjustment of existing protective devices
- High Resistance Grounding Look to the recommendation section of Electrical Power & Safety Companies report for further assistance.
- Repeat When changing operational habits, it is important to understand that one “harum-scarum” meeting or demonstration will not return long-term results. This is where we recommend utilization of repetition for reinforcement. This can be done by utilizing time during regular schedules weekly meetings and/or “toolbox talks.” This can be done by asking the following questions:
- “How is everyone doing with procedure “Y”?”
- “Are the {removed obstacles} helping?”
- “Are there any additional issues resulting from procedure “Y”?”
- Reward After visiting thousands of industrial facilities, one item that always stood out was that organizations with a good safety record not only reprimanded unsafe work practices but rewarded employees when safety procedures were adequately followed. This can take the form of delivered lunch, camping trinkets, or paid time off.
