Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) might sound like a new trend or fad. Most people already understand the basis of BBS: the way we act (our behaviors) create results that affect everyone’s safety.
Here’s a more rigorous definition from the Associated Builders and Contractors: BBS is a “process that creates a safety partnership between all employees that continually focuses their attentions and actions daily on their own safe behavior as well as the safe behavior of others.”
Use this three-step interactive guide to start getting into the habit of using Behavioral-Based Safety on your construction jobsite or manufacturing shop.
Step 1: Identify Behaviors
This week notice and write down at least five (5) GOOD or BAD behaviors on your jobsite. It's important to write them down (or type them into your phone or computer).
These behaviors can be very simple. Here are a few quick examples:
- A carpenter lets an extension cord run across the top of a stairway. (BAD)
- An electrician or laborer sets up a ladder in front of a door so they can replace a blub in an exit light. (BAD)
- Everyone working for your concrete subcontractor wears rubber boots around the concrete, even the foreman. And that foreman tells your people to stay away from the concrete unless they put boots on. (GOOD)
Step 2: Get Your Team Involved
In the next four days write down at least five (5) additional good or bad behaviors that you see on the site (it's important to write them down or type them into your phone) AND ask everyone on your crew to write down or text you one (1) good or bad behavior that they see. If they want to be anonymous, tell them to leave their observation in a certain place when you're not around. Make sure you acknowledge every observation that your people give or send you. Thank them for participating, and keep the list of behaviors for next week.
Step 3: Use Your List of Behaviors in Meetings
Read through the list of behaviors that you or your people observed last week. Pick your favorite observation (whether it's a good or bad behavior) from last week. Find a Safety Meeting (Construction or Manufacturing) that talks about that behavior and use it this week. After you read the Safety Meeting, discuss the observation from last week.
- If it was a positive behavior, praise the choice that was made, and validate that behavior with the authoritative knowledge from the Safety Meeting.
- If it was poor behavior, use the information from the Safety Meeting to review corrective steps. Describe specifically what the right behavior would have been or would have looked like. Be direct, but don't name names, or you may inhibit participation.
Now, do it all over again: Ask everyone to make observations again during the upcoming week. Use the way your people behave to focus your Safety Meetings, improve their behavior, and keep them safer.
As always SAFETY MEETING OUTLINES, INC. welcomes your questions, comments, and ideas. We are happy to help you access additional safety meetings in our Library or advise you on conducting a safety meeting. Feel free to contact us by phone at 815-464-0200 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central Time) or e-mail orders@safetymeetingoutlines.com.