In previous articles, I have been very critical of the objectives in the absence of a negative. The goals of "avoiding personal injury" are not safety objectives. My view is that this illogical approach to setting safety targets only serves to frustrate and, in some cases, confuse and, although not intentional, motivates people to be "creative" with their injury statistics. I would like to offer a logical and very motivating alternative. "Guiding and Celebrating the Creation of Security". There is no doubt that we always count our mistakes ... but as an alternative approach, let's count and measure our activities designed to create a safe production process. Targeting and celebrating the creation of security through a system of responsibility for activities will cause leaders who have handled damage with counting security to wonder why the world did not do it sooner.

This positive approach is really a simple eight step process. The most important feature of this approach is that it reflects how most companies and businesses manage the production of their goods and services. Leaders are used to being measured by what they think ... they are good at it. Let's make security more like other parts of our business and we will succeed in the same way.

The process of security responsibility

A simple accountability process that you can use consists of eight definable steps. Here are some details to consider when implementing a process that guarantees responsibility:

1. Select it

It is important to choose the "IT" activities that your company believes will create a secure workflow. These can be results of behavior. For example, "All staff and visitors wear appropriate personal protective equipment while working and visiting the welding trade." These activities can also be activities that guarantee physical results. Eg. "The floor of the welding shop is free of defects, damage and corridors without the risk of failure and slipping."

2. Define it

The next step is to define the measurable activities that you believe will produce the desired result. Daily inspections are conducted. Eg. "Welders will clear the aisles immediately next to the workbenches before and after each project."

3. Assign it

Hedging security-setting activities throughout the organization's hierarchy is critical for success to succeed. Each level of the organization must be responsible for ensuring that those who inform them have completed their security creation activities. This ensures that each managerial level supports those who report to them and gives them the time and money needed to complete the activities.

4. Exercise it

The clarity of what is expected of the different levels in your organization helps to achieve security success. Too often this step is lost. To assume that leaders know how to take a "security trip" can be a big problem. Education and training are a critical part of any accountability process. I must be willing (motivated through responsibility) and be able (trained, competent and qualified) to do what I am responsible for doing.

5. Measure it

It is important in any accountability system to measure both the quality and quantity of the activities assigned. Performing any activity many times wrong will not accomplish much by creating security. Inspections carried out in offices just to ensure that the form is completed does not improve safety. A quality control must be part of the measures. If your people have been trained and trained to do a good job of their security activities, they will wait to be measured.

6. Evaluate it

In any plan implemented, it is important to check that results are being achieved. The activities performed must be supported by these results. If the activities were selected and executed properly, a company should expect to see the goals met. These findings are generally observed through site visits and surveys of key individuals. People who have been evaluated for their activities will be very anxious about the results that were achieved because of their hard work.

Activity level reports and their corresponding results are part of this visitor management and check-in system. Leaders need to know clearly what your organization is doing to create security and what results are being achieved.