Behaviour Based Safety (BBS)

Behaviour based safety (BBS) is a proactive approach to improving safety in the workplace. It focuses on identifying and correcting unsafe behaviours before they lead to accidents or injuries.

What is behaviour?

Behaviour is the way that an individual acts. It is the sum total of all the actions and reactions that an individual or organism makes in response to its environment. Safe behaviour is any action that helps to prevent accidents or injuries. It can include things like following safety procedures, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), and being aware of hazards. At-risk behaviour (Unsafe behaviour) is any action that increases the chance of an accident or injury. It can include things like not following safety procedures, not wearing PPE, and being unaware of hazards.

Origin of Behaviour Based Safety

• Herbert William Heinrich (1886-1962): Heinrich was an industrial safety pioneer who is often credited with developing the “Heinrich Pyramid,” which is a model of accident causation that suggests that for every major accident, there are 29 minor accidents and 300 near misses.

• Dan Petersen (1926-2007): Petersen was a safety consultant and author who is credited with popularizing BBS in the 1970s.
• Aubrey Daniels (born 1938): Daniels is a psychologist and author who developed the behavioral approach to safety, which is a foundation of BBS.
• Dr. E. Scott Geller (born 1942): Geller is a psychologist and author who is known for his work on the application of behavioral science to safety.

Behaviour Based Safety (BBS) programs typically involve four steps:

1. Identifying unsafe behaviours. This is done through observation and analysis of worker behaviour.
2. Analyzing the causes of unsafe behaviours. This helps to identify the factors that contribute to unsafe behaviour, such as poor training, inadequate safety procedures, or a lack of awareness of hazards.
3. Developing and implementing interventions to correct unsafe behaviours. This may involve providing training, changing safety procedures, or creating a more positive safety culture.
4. Monitoring the effectiveness of the interventions. This helps to ensure that the interventions are having the desired effect and that unsafe behaviours are being corrected.

BBS programs have been shown to be effective in reducing accidents and injuries in a variety of workplaces. They can be a valuable tool for improving safety and creating a more positive safety culture.

Benefits of Behaviour Based Safety System

• They can help to reduce accidents and injuries.
• They can create a more positive safety culture.
• They can improve employee morale and productivity.
• They can save businesses money on workers’ compensation claims.

If you are interested in implementing a BBS program in your workplace, there are a few things you can do to get started:

1. Do your research. There are many different BBS programs available, so it is important to do your research and find one that is right for your workplace.
2. Get buy-in from management. BBS programs are most effective when they have the support of management. Make sure that you get buy-in from management before you start the program.
3. Train your employees. It is important to train your employees on the BBS program and the importance of safe behaviour.
4. Monitor the program. It is important to monitor the program to ensure that it is effective. Make sure to collect data and track the results of the program.

Some More Tips Positive Safety Culture

• Praise employees for safe behaviour. When you see an employee following safety procedures, be sure to praise them. This will help to reinforce the importance of safety and encourage other employees to follow suit.
• Offer incentives for safe behaviour. Some workplaces offer incentives, such as gift cards or paid time off, for employees who consistently follow safety procedures. This can be a great way to motivate employees to stay safe.
• Create a positive safety culture. A positive safety culture is one where safety is valued and everyone feels responsible for safety. This can be created by providing regular safety training, holding safety meetings, and encouraging employees to speak up about safety concerns.
• Make safety a priority. Management should make safety a top priority. This means setting clear safety goals, providing the necessary resources, and holding employees accountable for safe behaviour.

BBS Observation Checklist

Date:

Location:

Observer:

Employee:

Task:

Safe Behaviours

• Used the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Followed all safety procedures
• Was aware of hazards and took precautions
• Reported any hazards to a supervisor

At-Risk Behaviours

• Did not use the correct PPE
• Did not follow all safety procedures
• Was not aware of hazards or did not take precautions
• Did not report any hazards to a supervisor

Comments:

Recommendations:

This is just a sample checklist, and the specific behaviours that are considered safe or at-risk may vary depending on the workplace. It is important to tailor the checklist to the specific hazards and risks that are present in the workplace.

BBS observation checklists can be a valuable tool for identifying and correcting unsafe behaviors. By regularly observing employee behavior and using a checklist, you can help to create a safer workplace.

Here are some additional tips for using a BBS observation checklist:

• Be specific in your observations.
• Focus on behaviors that are directly related to safety.
• Be objective in your observations.
• Be respectful of the employees you are observing.
• Use the checklist to identify unsafe behaviors and to develop interventions to correct them.
• Monitor the effectiveness of the interventions.

BBS programs can be a valuable tool for improving safety in the workplace. By following these steps, you can get started on implementing a BBS program in your workplace today.