Influencing Human Factors to Prevent Serious Injuries and Fatalities
Human error is an increasingly complex world.
- By Shereen Hashem
- Oct 11, 2021
Keeping an eye out for one another. That’s what safety at work can simply come down to. However, facing injuries and fatalities isn’t black and white. For example, BHP Mining Company forced to intentionally derail an iron ore train in Western Australia in 2018, which was incredibly dangerous. However, a critical control management scenario test for computer logistics was conducted to make sure everything stayed safe.
Leadership training for all supervisors through VPs with significant safety leadership components are one of the actions taken by Peabody to positively impact cultural/organizational influences. This includes senior leadership coaching and incentives/dashboards that operate encouraging close call reporting, investigations, corrective action and communication.
In a work environment, besides a general unsafe workspace, there sometimes can be negative peer pressure or a negative culture. Former Director of Safety and Health, Peabody, Michael Breneman asked, “Are you working in high energy sources? Are you working in a dangerous environment/line of fire?” Then proceeded to address fatality prevention more in depth.
Fatality prevention includes emphasis on catastrophic risk management/event prevention between 2018-2020 (before moving on to an emphasis on single fatality prevention). 43 possible scenarios were identified and creating a critical control management program/culture was also mentioned.
To wrap it up, Breneman discussed leadership and how it ties into caring, communicating, collaborating and setting the example and investing: training, gadgets and time.
About the Author
Shereen Hashem is the Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety magazine.