Accountability

Making sure you walk the talk

A Short Story

This is a story about people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody

There was an important job that needed to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did.

Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job.

Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody realized that Everybody would not do it.

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

Confused?

When you don’t have well defined and understood responsibilities (accountabilities) performance suffers.

You need to define what employees do and then measure and reward their actions.

Accountability Defined

Every employee is responsible for making the safety program successful.They should clearly understand their responsibilities.They should be evaluated on how they perform them.The company should develop a system to reward employees who demonstrate a commitment to accountability.

Defining Activity Measures

An accident is an unplanned event.

Should you be measured on unplanned events?

Why not measure objective activities?

Criteria for creating useful measures

It should measure the performance of the taskIt should specifically address a particular activityMeasure for safety activity not absenceProvide a means for swift and continuing feedbackProvide an alert if something is wrong

Accountability Model

What is your current level of accountability in your company’s safety program?

Accountability Model

PoorMinimum safety resourcesLack of management involvementHigh incident rateSafety activities are a burden

Accountability Model

FairMinimum safety program Basic management accountability Incident rate fluctuatesAccident investigations are not thorough

Accountability Model

GoodBasic safety programAccountability is clearly understood Incident rate is equal or less than industry

averageAccident investigation process is in place

Accountability Model

IdealSafety accountability assigned to all levelsBehavior based safety creates ownership Incident rate is less than industry averagePayoff

QualityProduction Incident rates

Safety Activities

Accountability should be defined for each level:EmployeesSupervisorsMiddle managersSenior managers

Accountabilities should be defined in your safety process

Safety Activities

Employees:Wearing protective equipmentParticipation in safety meetingsReporting near missesConducting safe behaviorsPracticing good housekeeping

Accountability Activity WorksheetSample Activities listed in Tool Kit

Accountability Activities Worksheet

Name __________________________________________ Date __________

My Accountabilities Training/Equipment/Resources/Support

is required for this activity

Training/ Resource needs met

This measurement will determine

success

This is the reward for success

1.

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10.

Company Name Safety Accountabilities—Employee General Main safety accountability of employee is to carry out the activities defined below.

Activities Required activities are:

Participate in job-specific weekly safety meetings. Discuss safety, quality and production at all meetings. Give appropriate input during weekly safety inspections. Interact and be accountable to supervisors regarding safe work behaviors, and

develop safety knowledge and job skills. Aid in accident investigation as needed. Set an example for safe behavior. Show commitment to safety and wear the proper

personal protective equipment. Follow all applicable safety and health guidelines.

Conduct observations. Practice good housekeeping.

Safety Activities

Supervisors: Investigate accidents Inspect the workplaceHold safety meetingsEnforce rulesMake observationsKeep documentation records

Sample Activities listed in Tool Kit

Company Name Safety Accountabilities- Supervisor General This supervisor’s main safety accountability is to carry out the activities defined

below

Activities Required activities are:

Conduct job-specific, weekly safety meetings with all employees. Discuss safety, quality and production at all meetings. Conduct weekly department inspections, with employee input, and write safety work

orders as needed. Interact one-on-one weekly with each employee to discuss safe work behaviors and

develop their safety knowledge and skills. Conduct accident investigations with root cause determination. Set an example for safe behavior. Show commitment to safety and wear the proper

personal protective equipment. Report on these activities weekly.

Conduct observations. Provide regular communication on safety issues with all employees.

Safety Activities

Supervisor Weekly Safety ReportTrack activities:

Safety meetingSafety inspectionOne-to-one employee contacts Injury statusOther safety tasks

Sample form located in Tool Kit

SUPERVISOR’S WEEKLY SAFETY REPORT FROM:____________ TO:_____________ WEEK ENDING:_______________

1. WORKING GROUP SAFETY MEETING DATE: SUBJECT:

2. DEPARTMENT SAFTY INSPECTION DATE: SUBJECT:

3. ONE-TO-ONE CONTACTS

EMPLOYEE: DATE: EMPLOYEE: DATE: EMPLOYEE: DATE: EMPLOYEE: DATE: EMPLOYEE: DATE: EMPLOYEE: DATE:

4. INJURY STATUS NAME: DATE: INJURY DESCRIPTION:

5. OTHER SAFETY TASKS % COMPLIANCE DESCRIPTION ACTION TO GOAL REPORT DISTRIBUTION: STAFF II MANAGER EMPLOYEE RELATIONS MANAGER

Safety Activities

Middle management:Review supervisor reportsAudit the quality of inspectionsDevelop safety management skills in direct

reportsParticipate in safety programsDiscuss safety problem solving activities

Safety Activities

Senior management:Monitor reportsAttend safety meetingsVisibly demonstrate support for safety

effortsLead by example

Measures

Example Measures:Number of activity tasks completedAcceptable percentile rangesPerformance appraisal weighting (%)

Rewards

HandoutsDesk accessoriesAwardsGift certificatesCompany car

StatusOffice windowPrivate office

RewardsFinancialMoneyStocksProfit sharing

Peer RewardsFormal acknowledgement of achievementSolicitation of adviceJob with more responsibilityUse of company facility/equipment for

personal projects

Questions?