Metrics process safety culture

Different metrics may be used to describe past performance, predict future performance, and encourage behavioral change. They are a means to evaluate the overall system performance and to develop a path toward superior process safety performance. This is accomplished by identifying where the current performance falls within a spectrum of excellent-to-poor performance. Such information will allow executives and site management to develop plans to address the specific improvement opportunities that could lead to measurable improvement in process safety. Good process safety metrics reinforce a process safety culture that promotes the belief that process safety incidents are preventable, that improvement is continuous, and that policies and procedures are necessary and will be followed. Continuous improvement is necessary and any improvement program will be based on measurable elements. Therefore, to continuously improve performance, organizations must develop and implement effective process safety metrics. 

Good process safety metrics will reinforce a process safety culture promoting a belief that process safety incidents are preventable, that improvement is continuous, and that policies and procedures are necessary and will be followed. Continuous improvement is necessary and any improvement program must be based on... 

Finally, management must cultivate a positive process safety culture that will inspire people to support process safety and metrics efforts. Perhaps the largest enticement to implementing new or revised process safety metrics is the knowledge that the results will be handled seriously and appropriately, with proper remedial action taken when necessary. A positive and mature safety culture promotes open dialogue on issues, discusses improvement strategies by engaging a broad array of employees, and will not tolerate deviation from established procedures. 

The percentage of equipment overdue for inspection can be considered a leading metric as it can relate to the physical condition of the equipment as well as the robustness of the inspection program (and, by extension, indicate a gap in the safety culture). Of course, even if inspections are routinely conducted and recorded as a leading metric, a failure can still occur. This reinforces the need for multiple process safety metrics to address positive signs of systems working well or... 

Metrics will become increasingly important as the discipline of process safety continues to evolve and improve. They hold promise to contribute to risk-based process safety, inherent safety, safety culture, and compliance with regulation as well as broader societal interests surrounding sustainability, globalization, and societal risk aversion. 

Most companies have been so focused on observations, targets and policies and lagging indicators snch as OSHA recordable rates and lost-time metrics that they ve lost a handle on the very safety culture that keeps productivity high and workers alive and healthy. The engagement process in safety and health is best accomplished through a serious culture... 

Have metrics which help to monitor the health of key safety processes, positive safety culture (and problem areas) and OE management system effectiveness. 

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