PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
The following program implementation is the Esler 4R process for driving change within industrial facilities
as it relates to safety.
1. 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 or 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}.
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 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.
3. 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 meeting and/or “tool box 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”?”
4. 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.
