"0" Accidents, Why That's Not Your Goal

Monday, September 10, 2012: 4:25 PM-5:25 PM
Boardroom (Egan Convention Center)

Level of Course: Mid

Many companies promote the slogan "Zero Injuries Is Our Goal" on posters, t-shirts and mugs. It becomes the safety mantra as this goal is chased year after year, but most find it to be as elusive as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! Until leaders understand that there is a level of safety beyond zero, they'll be stuck on the dreaded plateau of no-worse-no-better safety numbers. Why do we count safety defects after they occur? Do we ask, “How many recordable injuries occurred last month? What is our incidence rate? Did we have any fatalities? Did we get our safety bonus?" Could it be that zero injuries should NOT be your goal? Shouldn't we instead say: "Zero Unsafe Behaviors Is Our Goal"? Usually early warning behavioral indicators tell us an injury is going to happen. All too often, these at-risk behaviors are ignored due to the perceived importance of production and profits. Learn how to develop a new and improved perspective on safety goals!
Author:
Bill Sims