Behavioural Observation: An Introduction (Part of Active Monitoring)

What is Behavioral observation in occupational health and safety (OHS)?

Behavioral observation in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) involves systematically monitoring and recording the actions and behaviors of individuals in the workplace to identify unsafe practices or conditions that could lead to accidents or injuries.
Behavioral observation (BBSO) is a technique used to identify and correct unsafe behaviors in the workplace.
It involves watching and analyzing the actions of employees while they work, with the goal of identifying any behaviors that may lead to accidents or injuries.
This approach focuses on understanding human behavior and its impact on safety, aiming to improve safety performance by promoting safe behaviors and eliminating unsafe ones.
Behavior based safety observations often reveal instances where employees are taking shortcuts in order to complete tasks more quickly or efficiently.
These shortcuts may seem minor or insignificant at the time, but neglecting safe behaviors can have serious consequences if they result in accidents or injuries.
Observers watch employees perform tasks to identify actions or practices that deviate from established safety protocols or standards.

Example of Observation on Unsafe Act : Driver over speeding the vehicle

Consequences - lead to an accident or collision

Improvement plan or control measure - Provide adequate Training and awareness

Result - Now Driving in Speed limits

Other Examples of Unsafe Act / Unsafe Behaviour

Unauthorized use or operation of equipment, such as machinery or tools
Failure to secure or tie down materials
Operating equipment / machines too fast
Over speeding of vehicle
Failure to follow warnings or signals when necessary
Taking shortcuts
Not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)
Rushing tasks due to hastiness, .
Improper manual material handling techniques,
Overloading scaffolds, hoists, or other equipment beyond their capacity
Incorrect use of ladders, such as using them on unstable surfaces or at improper angles
Failing to use fall protection equipment when working at heights
Disregarding lockout/tagout procedures

How to Calculate the Safety Unsafe Act Score

To calculate the safety unsafe act score, you typically need to follow these steps:

Identify Unsafe Acts: Determine the types of unsafe acts that occur in the workplace, such as working without proper safety equipment, disregarding safety procedures, or engaging in risky behaviors.
Quantify Unsafe Acts: Keep track of the number of unsafe acts observed or reported within a specified period. This could involve conducting safety observations, inspections, or incident investigations to identify and document unsafe behaviors.
Assign Weight to Unsafe Acts: Assign a weight or severity level to each type of unsafe act based on its potential risk or consequences. For example, a minor unsafe act might receive a lower weight, while a serious violation might have a higher weight.
Calculate the Score: Multiply the number of each type of unsafe act by its assigned weight, and then sum these values to obtain the total unsafe act score. This score provides insight into the overall level of unsafe behavior within the organization.
Analyze and Interpret Results: Use the calculated score to identify trends, prioritize safety interventions, and track improvements over time. Regularly reviewing and analyzing the unsafe act score can help drive continuous improvement in safety performance.

It's essential to customize the calculation method and weighting system based on the specific needs and risk profile of your organization.

How to improve the Unsafe Act / Unsafe Behavior of the Workers: