John F Kowalski Profile

Improving Safety Performance with Human & Organizational Principles (HOP)

How do you reach the next level of safety using fundamental human and organizational principles (HOP)?

Recently, a company with an injury rate below the national average was enormously proud and recognized employees for this achievement – rightfully so. They wanted to reach the next level of safety performance and were concerned about complacency.

In his book “Good to Great”, Jim Collins states that “Good is the Enemy of Great.” The same can be said about Safety Performance. For years companies have based safety performance on lagging indicators (incident data). Refreshing Safety performance can be achieved but it is a rigorous highway to travel. One powerful way to take this road is to approach it via a Systematic Process for improving and understanding how Safety, Human and Organizational Performance are linked together. This leads to improving organizational safety behaviors (management, supervision, and individuals).

The journey to improving safety performance is a four-step process:
1. Conducting a safety culture survey
2. Performing a comprehensive safety assessment including incident and observation data
3. Providing workshops on how human and organizational performance improves safety
4. Develop a tailored safety improvement plan including training and short & long-term goals

Safety Performance is Management-Supported and Leadership Driven with a clear commitment from leadership, supported by management and participation by all.