Safety Observation System and Near Miss Reporting Programs: Methods to maintain employee engagement in behavioral based safety practices

Because over 90% of accidents in the cement industry are related to unsafe behaviors, efforts that are only geared toward providing a safe working environment will not deliver the results that we, as an industry, need to achieve: zero harm to employees. In addition to ensuring safe physical conditions of a workplace, a living, breathing behavioral based safety program must be implemented. Many examples of successful systems exist, amongst these are the Safety Observation System (SOS) and Near Miss Reporting Program currently utilized within Holcim (US). The SOS program is based on the regular participation of all employees recording their observations of tasks being performed by colleagues. Opportunities for improvement, as well as good practices, are loaded onto a web based database for frequent management review and follow up actions. Not only does this keep all employees actively involved in promoting safe working behaviors, it drives continuous improvement as well. Additionally, a focus on “near-miss” reporting, which works best with a reward/non-disciplinary policy, is perhaps one of the most effective tools in truly preventing serious injuries and fatalities, be they behavioral based issues or not.