Superior safety performance investigation

Later, while researching for Chapter 24, Measurement of Safety Performance, I observed that companies with superior OSHA rates also had lower workers compensation costs than did other companies. I then wanted to determine whether the quality of investigation of hazards-related incidents would also be superior. (For this second study, it must also be said that the methodology used would not stand the test of good science.)... 

Discussions of achievements with safety professionals whose oiganiza-tions had top scores did not produce any surprises. Incident investigation for hazard identification and analysis gets done best where the organization s culture includes accountability for superior performance. Here is an aggregate Mst of the conoments made in discussions with safety professionals in those entities with the best incident investigation systems ... 

However, the record is clear—incident investigations can be done effectively. In some companies, incident investigation is done well because the safety culture will not tolerate anything other than superior performance. In the studies I made of the quality of investigations, some companies scored an 8 out of a possible 10. (More than one safety director has accused me of being a hard marker.)... 

Far greater use is being made of incident investigation teams in the superior performers. Safety professionals say that the time spent by those teams is a worthwhile investment since the activity communicates management s intent to avoid hazards-related incidents. Over time, large numbers of personnel are involved. 

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