Boosting Safety and Efficiency
The Top 5 Benefits of a Behavior Observation Safety System in Manufacturing
Andy Pritchard | Sept 13, 2023 | 7 min read
Picture this: A bustling manufacturing floor, machines humming, workers focused, and products rolling off the assembly line flawlessly.
It's a scene every manufacturing organization dreams of. But what's the secret behind achieving such a harmonious environment? The answer lies in the implementation of a Behavior Observation Safety System (BOSS).
The practice of Behavior-Based Safety can have a massive positive impact on the health and safety of your site. The methodology is relatively simple to implement, make safety more “top-of-mind” to staff and, ultimately, reduce incidents.
The potential benefits of implementing a Behavior-Based Safety Observation (BBSO) program in your facility are enormous. Building a ground-up safety culture will increase staff morale, retention, engagement and participation while at the same time reducing missed days due to injury.
Other benefits include improved product quality, increased health and wellness, and reduced worker’s compensation costs. This in turn will have a positive effect on your plant’s productivity and bottom line.
Here are the Top 5 Benefits for implementing a Behavior Observation Safety System that we have witnessed with our customers:
BENEFIT 1
Enhanced Safety Culture
First and foremost, a BOSS fosters a safety-first culture within your organization. It's like having a guardian angel watching over your workforce 24/7. Employees become more aware of safety hazards and are encouraged to speak up about potential risks. When safety becomes a shared responsibility, accidents become rarer than a unicorn sighting! Plus, a culture of safety boosts morale and makes your organization more attractive to top talent.
An Industrial Safety & Hygiene News 2015 survey reported that over half (52%) of HSE managers said that safer employee behaviors was having a major impact on their operations, while 54% said in the same survey that increasing employee participation and engagement was a priority. A properly designed BBSO program should feel like a “grassroots” or “ground-up” movement, empowering and enabling your frontline staff to take ownership over the maintenance of a safe work environment. This, in turn, improves employee morale and reduces turnover by promoting a sense of team spirit and accountability.
BENEFIT 2
Real-time Risk Mitigation
Imagine having a crystal ball that shows you potential risks before they turn into accidents. With a BOSS, you're essentially gifted with such foresight. Employees can report unsafe behaviors and conditions in real time, allowing for immediate corrective actions. This means hazards can be nipped in the bud, reducing the likelihood of accidents and costly downtime. It's like having a superhero swoop in to save the day!
The Center for Behavioral Safety released a case study where they tracked missed workdays due to injury for 18 months prior to, and 18 months following, the implementation of a BBSO program. For a workforce of 450 employees, over two shifts, they found a staggering 86.3% reduction of missed days due to injury or illness, from an average of 10.9 days/month down to 1.5 days/month
BENEFIT 3
Data-Driven Decision Making
No more guessing games! A BOSS provides you with valuable data on safety trends, allowing you to make informed decisions. You can identify recurring issues, pinpoint areas for improvement, and allocate resources where they're needed most. It's like having a GPS for safety, ensuring you're always on the right path to a safer workplace.
Kody Crossen, Operations Manager EHS Walmart, has dramatically increased preventive safety metrics at his Distribution Center by using better data to drive real safety results.
“It’s shifted our safety culture because now we are much more focused on what we should be looking at. And it also allows the associates to understand what we are looking for so it's not as arbitrary as it once was. It’s creating a lot more conversation and I think it's making the associates much more mindful of their actions.”
Kody Crossen, Operations Manager of EHS, Walmart
Review the full case study and video here: https://weeverapps.com/case-studies/walmart-bbso-customer-story/
Benefit 4
Increased Efficiency
A safer workplace is a more efficient one. When employees feel secure and supported, they can focus on their tasks with peace of mind. Fewer accidents mean less time lost to injury recovery and investigations. Plus, a BOSS can help identify inefficiencies in workflows and suggest improvements, optimizing your manufacturing processes. It's like turbocharging your production line!
Benefit 5
Cost Savings
Let's talk dollars and cents. A BOSS might sound like a superhero with a hefty price tag, but it's actually your financial guardian angel. Fewer accidents mean reduced workers' compensation claims, lower insurance premiums, and fewer legal fees. Not to mention the priceless benefit of avoiding damage to your brand's reputation. Over time, the cost savings add up, and your BOSS becomes a money-saving, crime-fighting machine!
In the world of manufacturing, a Behavior Observation Safety System (BOSS) is the ultimate sidekick you need. With its ability to enhance safety culture, provide real-time risk mitigation, drive data-driven decision making, increase efficiency, and save you money, it's like having a trusted companion on your journey to a safer and more productive workplace.
When compared to other more advanced HSE programs, BBSO programs can be relatively easy to set up and manage. The practice simply requires staff to make and report safety observations. Supervisors evaluate the reports to determine what safety practices need to be implemented.
So, if you're still hesitating about implementing a BOSS in your manufacturing organization, remember that it's not just a safety tool – it's a game-changer. Embrace the BOSS, and watch your organization soar to new heights of safety and success. After all, every great manufacturing operation needs a hero, and your BOSS could be just the one you've been waiting for!
Download your guide to Behavior Observation Safety Systems
Behavior-Based Safety Observations
Used by organizations worldwide to manage Behavior-Based Safety Observation programs, Weever is highly intuitive and very powerful software that simplifies data capture, workflow automation and reporting and ensures compliance.