Welcome to your indoctrination in BS:: Welcome to your indoctrination in BS: Global Trends in Health and Safety Mismanagement


“The fact is, it is not easy for an individual to have a serious injury in today’s workplace.”: “The fact is, it is not easy for an individual to have a serious injury in today’s workplace.” David Bradford, page 68, ASSE Behavioral Safety Symposium 2001


88%-96% of all injuries arecaused by unsafe acts: 88%-96% of all injuries are caused by unsafe acts Originated from Herbert William Heinrich (88%) Insurance investigator (Travelers Insurance Company) Studied supervisor accident reports 1931 drawn conclusions from supervisor recommended corrective actions 1930’s Safety Theory BST (80%-95%) and DuPont (96%) call it “leading edge”


Slide4: Unsafe Behaviors/Unsafe Acts Fatalities Lost Time Cases Recordables Medical Visits/First Aid Cases 1930’s Safety Theory BST & DuPont call this folk lore “Cutting-Edge Technology”


In order to have an “at-risk” behavior, what must be present?: In order to have an “at-risk” behavior, what must be present? A HAZARD!


All injuries and illnesses are the result of exposure to hazards. There are no exceptions!: All injuries and illnesses are the result of exposure to hazards. There are no exceptions!


Health and Safety Process Model: Health and Safety Process Model Identification Evaluation Control Data Analysis OSHA 200 & 300 Logs Medical Visit Surveys and Questionnaires Interviews Worker Complaints Government Regulations Inspections/Audits Prioritize Hazards Risk Analysis Select Controls Based Upon Hierarchy


How do we CONTROL hazards in our workplaces?: How do we CONTROL hazards in our workplaces?


Hierarchy of Controls: Hierarchy of Controls


Behavior Based Process Model: Behavior Based Process Model Identification Evaluation Duck! Data Analysis OSHA 200 & 300 Log Worker Observations Interviews Inspections/Audits Risk Analysis Duck Dodge Jump Out of the Way Lift Safely Wear PPE Avoid “Line of Fire” Eyes on task


Slide12: Consequences Of A Behavior Based Program Is To Turn The Hierarchy Upside Down Elimination &/or Substitution Engineering Controls Warnings Training and Procedures Personal Protective Equipment They Say, “Most Effective” They Say, “Least Effective”


Slide13: Common Behavior Based Program Elements Critical behavior lists Workers observe workers Training for observers Frequent observations of workers to identify at unsafe behaviors Heavy emphasis on PPE, “body position” and “line of fire” Commitment of resources


Slide14: “Staying out of the line of fire” replaces effective safeguarding and design. “Proper body position” has become a replacement for a good ergonomics program and well designed work stations. And “Personal Protective Equipment” becomes a substitute for noise control, chemical enclosures, ventilation, and toxic use reduction.


Why eliminate the hazard when you can buy personal protective equipment?: Why eliminate the hazard when you can buy personal protective equipment?


Slide16: The implication is that it is not hazards on the job that cause injuries and illnesses, but it is the behavior of those exposed to the hazards (victims) that cause injuries and illnesses. BS Theory: Workers are the problem, not the solution. Change the worker, not the hazard.


Employer Programs, Policies & Practices Related to Behavior-Based Safety: Employer Programs, Policies & Practices Related to Behavior-Based Safety Behavioral Observation Programs Safety Incentive Programs Injury Discipline Policies Accident Repeater Programs Programs that focus solely on Lost Work Days or Reported Injuries


Disincentives to Reporting Injuries and Illnesses: Disincentives to Reporting Injuries and Illnesses Awards (prizes and money) for not have a recordable or lost time case (or having a low rate) Discipline and/or counseling issued after workers are injured Drug testing after every injury Peer pressure No Injuries


New OSHA Recordkeeping Rule:§ 1904.36 Prohibition against discrimination: New OSHA Recordkeeping Rule: § 1904.36 Prohibition against discrimination Section 11(c ) of the Act prohibits you from discriminating against an employee for reporting a work-related fatality, injury or illness. That provision of the Act also protects the employee who files a safety and health complaint, asks for access to the Part 1904 records, or otherwise exercises any rights afforded by the OSH Act.


Slide20: Had just completed 5,000,000 hours without a lost time injury Explosion and fire 23 dead 232 injured Phillips Chemical Company, Pasadena, Texas 1989


Slide22: It has been XX days since USWA local union 1234 told management to fix the broken ventilation and they still have not addressed this worker health hazard...


Slide23: It has been 14 days since USWA local union 1234 told management to fix the broken ventilation and they still have not addressed this worker health hazard...


Slide24: It has been 15 days since USWA local union 1234 told management to fix the broken ventilation and they still have not addressed this worker health hazard...


Slide25: “Everyone, and that includes you and me, is at some time careless, complacent, overconfident, and stubborn. At times each of us becomes distracted, inattentive, bored, and fatigued. We occasionally take chances, we misunderstand, we misinterpret, and we misread. These are completely human characteristics.” Al Chapanis, Former Professor of Human Factors Engineering Department, Johns Hopkins University


Slide26: “Because we are human and because all these traits are fundamental and built into each of us, the equipment, machines and systems that we construct for our use have to be made to accommodate us the way we are, and not vice versa.” Al Chapanis, Former Professor of Human Factors Engineering Department, Johns Hopkins University


Union View - Identify Hazards A hazard is a condition or set of circumstances that can cause harm: Union View - Identify Hazards A hazard is a condition or set of circumstances that can cause harm Ergonomics-posture, force, repetition Lifting Slips, Trips, Fall Fire Radiation Excessive hours of work Inadequate staffing Production pressures Crushing Shearing Noise, vibration Chemical, gases, fumes, mists, dusts Entanglement Pinch point High pressure Electrical


Union View of Critical Worker Behaviors: Union View of Critical Worker Behaviors Identify root causes of injuries and illnesses Communicate problems to Union health & safety committee Filing health and safety grievances when needed Refusing hazardous and/or unsafe work Reporting injuries and illnesses Identifying management who are not addressing health and safety problems


Slide29: Explain To Management The Problems With Behavior Based Programs


Slide30: Behavior Based and Incentive Programs Modify the program as needed!


Union Forces Management to Abandon DuPont STOP Program for Employees: Union Forces Management to Abandon DuPont STOP Program for Employees An employer planned to implement the DuPont STOP program without bargaining The Union demanded to negotiate about the safety program Management refused to bargain or provide requested information to the Union In an unfair labor practice charge filed by the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) - Philadelphia Local - the National Labor Relations Board supported the Union’s position that management must bargain with the Union over a safety program that affects its members Remember - health & safety is a mandatory subject for bargaining!


Slide32: "Management’s blame the worker programs are as dangerous to our members as any other challenge that we face today. The USWA must oppose these programs with all our energy. Instead we must work just as hard to implement comprehensive health and safety programs that find and eliminate unsafe workplace conditions that cause injuries and illness to our members." Leo Gerard, USWA International President


Whose behavior needs to be changed to improve health & safety at your workplace?: Whose behavior needs to be changed to improve health & safety at your workplace?