Behavior-Based Safety (BBSO) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) MS Word .doc Template

By Business Solutions Lead | September 14, 2022

Download the Ultimate Guide to Behavior-Based Safety Observations (BBSO)

Instructions, customer stories, and best practices on setting up and managing an effective BBSO program to help you avoid over 90% of workplace incidents that result from at-risk behaviors.

Download the Guide
BBSO SOP template

Download the BBSO SOP Template

Free, customizable MS Word file (.docx) sent to your inbox.

What are Behavior-Based Safety Observations?

Behavior-Based Safety Observations (BBSO) are an integral part of modern, proactive safety programs. The goal is to reduce the number of incidents by recognizing safe behavior and eliminating unsafe practices either through training or updates to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). 

The BBSO practice has gained popularity because it is relatively easy to implement and manage, it fosters a safety-first culture and it delivers results. 

The practice requires staff to observe other workers and provide a report on the general safety of their work including:

  • Body Position
  • PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
  • Tools & Equipment
  • Work Environment
  • Procedures

As staff members submit their reports, Safety Managers can use the intel to inform updates to SOP documentation and plan One Point Lessons or Toolbox talks around a specific safety issue that keeps coming up. The general idea is that by promoting safe work habits through observations, the number of incidents will decrease over time.

How do Behaviour-Based Safety Observation Programs Work?

BBSO programs require observations from staff, evaluation by supervisors and KPI reporting to measure results.

1. Safety Observations

Employees or safety committee members are tasked with executing behavioral observations periodically on other staff and/or on-site contractors. Observations include monitoring body position, PPE, tools & equipment, the general work environment and procedures. In the end, safe and at-risk observations are reported and feedback is provided to the observed party.

 

2. Evaluation & Action

Managers review at-risk behavior and plan actions to prevent them from continuing, which could include in-person discussions, training and One Point Lessons (OPL), revisions to documentation and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and updates to physical visual controls in the workplace.

 

3. Showcase Results

All observation data, safe and at-risk, is tracked and summarized into reports the provide insights into at-risk behaviors, shifts, areas and so on. KPIs are tracked and communicated back to frontline staff to show the positive impact the program is having on overall safety.

How does software help manage BBSO programs?

Software provides a ton of benefits over a paper based program. Here is a run down of how Weever works to automate data capture, workflows and real-time reporting.

BBSO On-Demand Instruction
Provide on-demand instructions

Like other “secondary” operational processes, Behaviour Safety Observations are not a primary job requirement and they are not executed daily. As a result, having a quick “refresher” on hand is helpful.

BBSO-Schedule
Create Schedules

Paper-based processes rely on staff to remember to do their BBSO, while software can be used to remind with notifications based on a schedule.

BBSO-data-capture---increase-accessibility
Capture Data on any device

One problem that limits the performance of BBSO programs can simply be the accessibility of the forms. Digitization allows staff to load the form on any device, go through it quickly and feel successful doing it.

Configurable Templates

Have you ever created a form and then needed to make changes, which requires you to find and destroy all the copies of the old form, which still get submitted a year later. With digital form builders, updates happen in real-time so you don’t have to worry about staff using the wrong form.

Automate Rewards

Software makes it easy to allocate points to staff that can be redeemed in a rewards marketplace.

Guide staff through the experience

Conditional logic allows you to guide staff through the experience to ensure they capture the correct information the first time and every time.

BBSO-digital-Data-capture---photo-capture
Add Photos

Photo capture is perhaps the most immediate benefit of going paperless. Multiple photos can be captured in the report, complete with sketches to highlight the issue.

BBSO-call-immediately
Real-time Communication

Should the observer require immediate help, digital forms provide a means to connect instantly with a safety manager.

Optimize the Evaluation Process

Each submission creates a ticket that is organized in the appropriate digital folder. Supervisors review each submission and create action plans if necessary. Supervisors can also receive notifications if you wish although you may not want to load up their inbox.

Assign Next Steps and Due Dates

Supervisors can create action plans, assign them, and add due dates. Assignees are notified and supervisors are made aware of approaching and overdue deadlines. 

Automate Real-Time Dashboard Updates

Save administrative time by automating reporting. Create stunning and highly configurable dashboard reports that are updated in real-time. Spend less time in front of spreadsheets and more time doing what you want to make your site safer.

Broadcast Results

Set up real-time updates that can be broadcast to staff that show how the BBSO program is “moving the needle” towards a safer worksite.

Behavior-Based Safety Observations

  • Customize pre-built templates.
  • Guide staff with on-demand instructions, call-outs and tutorials.
  • Capture photos, sketches and digital signatures.
  • Automated alerts and create investigation action plans.
  • Automate dashboard reporting and share data with other business systems in real-time.
Learn more about BBSO
Posted in Free