BEHAVIOUR BASED SAFETY Hello there, this is Goke Akingbade ( your Safety Guide) bringing you another interesting topic on health, safety and environment. We will be continuing on the topic on Behaviour Based Safety. Behaviour Based Safety (BBS) is the "application of science of behaviour change to real world problems". The emphasis of Behaviour Based Safety is on what people do, it analyzes why they do it, and then applies a research-supported intervention strategy to improve what people do". For any organization to have an effective BBS program, all employees, from the CEO to the cleaner must be involved in the implementation of the BBS. To achieve changes in behaviour, a change in policy, procedures and/or systems most assuredly will also need some change. Those changes cannot be done without buy-in and support from all involved in making those decisions. BBS is not based on assumptions, personal feeling, and/or common knowledge. To be successful, the BBS program used must be based on scientific knowledge. A good BBS program will consist of: Common goals  Both employee and managerial involvement in the process Definition of what is expected Specifications of target behaviours derived from safety assessments Observational data collection Decisions about how best to proceed based on those data Feedback to associates being observed The primary goal of an effective BBS program is to ultimately promote a positive safety culture in the organization. WHAT IS A HEALTH AND SAFETY CULTURE? The health and safety culture of an organization is the product of individual and group values, attitudes, perceptions, competencies and patterns of behaviour that determines the commitment to, the style and proficiency of the health and safety management of an organization (HSE). Safety is everyones responsibility! As an employee, you should: Learn to work safely and take all rules seriously. Recognize hazards and avoid them. Report all accidents, injuries and illness to your supervisor immediately. Inspect tools before use to avoid injury. Wear all assigned personal protective equipment. On the other hand, it is managements responsibility to: Provide a safe and healthy workplace. Provide personal protective equipment. Train employees in safe procedures and in how to identify hazards. Everyone must be aware of potential hazards on the job: Poor housekeeping results in slips, trips and falls. Electricity can cause shocks, burns or fire if not handled properly. Poor material handling may cause back problems or other injuries. Tools and equipment can cause injuries if guards or protective devices are disengaged. Always use the protections that are provided on the job: Guards on machines and tools keep body parts from contacting moving equipment. Insulation on electrical equipment prevents burns, shock and fire. Lockout/tagout assures equipment is de-energized before it is repaired. Personal protective equipment shields your body from hazards you may face on the job. In case of emergency: Understand alarms and evacuation routes. Know how to notify emergency response personnel. Implement a procedure for leaving the scene safely so emergency personnel can do their job. Wipe up spills promptly and correctly. Safety benefits everyone. With fewer injuries, a business can be more productive and profitable. By incorporating safety rules, employees avoid injury as well as illness from exposure to hazardous substances. This is where we will be drawing to a close for today, so till I come your way again, this is Goke Akingbade (your Safety Guide) wishing you a fruitful day.