This is the SafeStart follow-up report for the second on-site visit at [COMPANY, LOCATION] conducted on [MONTH DAY, YEAR]. This report gives a brief outline of the site’s progress on SafeStart’s recommendations from the previous report and reviews the site’s ongoing action plan to ensure they’re on track with their implementation of the SafeStart milestones. This includes the current presence and effectiveness of SafeStart among employees, and additional recommendations on how to improve and sustain SafeStart’s presence among employees to reduce injuries and increase performance.
[Provide a brief summary of the recommendations from the previous follow-up report.]
This follow-up report was prepared by [TITLE NAME] to offer management a close look at the site’s current safety performance and a roadmap to long-term safety improvements. To discuss this report’s findings or for more details on the recommended actions, contact your Account Manager [NAME] at 800-267-7482 who can address your questions directly or to arrange a conference call with [YOUR NAME].
The following people provided invaluable information for this report. Their contributions made it possible to make an accurate assessment of the site’s use of SafeStart and provide recommendations. Thank you to the many individuals who took the time and effort to offer their perspective and to make the compilation of this report possible.
[LIST OF NAMES – It might be worthwhile to note any changes in leadership especially if the follow-up consultant feels that they have impacted SafeStart presence on site significantly—good or bad.]
Leadership
[LIST OF NAMES]
Supervisors
[LIST OF NAMES]
Steering Committee
[LIST OF NAMES]
Employees
[LIST OF NAMES]
136A formal plan is in place for this site that includes all the recommended steps for training new employees and permanent on-site contractors on SafeStart. These steps include use of the SafeStart Orientation program when they are first hired and then formal training on all five SafeStart CERT units. This is accomplished by (CHOOSE ONE, holding classroom sessions for all units when there are enough employees to generate an active classroom session, OR, assigning the SafeStart Remote Worker program to the employee and ensuring review of key teaching points and sharing of SafeStart stories takes place after each unit is completed.) The site should be congratulated for preparing to deliver SafeStart training to all new hires.
137There is a formal plan for training new employees on SafeStart for this site but it does not include all the recommended steps. Ensure that SafeStart Orientation is part of the site’s new hire orientation training. This allows new employees to join the workforce with a base understanding of the states, errors and CERTs. Once new employees are past their probation period they should receive full SafeStart training in a classroom when possible. If classroom training is not feasible then they should receive remote worker training.
138There is no formal detailed plan for training new employees on SafeStart at this site. SafeStart Orientation should be added to the site’s new hire orientation training. This will ensure that new employees join the workforce with a base understanding of the states, errors and CERTs. Once new employees are no longer in a probation period they should receive full SafeStart Critical Errors training in a classroom when possible. If classroom training is not feasible then they should receive remote worker training.
139All employees have been trained on the SafeStart Critical Decisions units. With all employees trained on the Critical Decisions units, the site should focus on sustaining SafeStart concepts and skills.
140Training on the SafeStart Critical Decisions units is currently underway at this site. To date the Critical Decision units that have been completed are (insert critical decision unit number and titles). These units cover decision-making, more specific applications and additional situations, advanced concepts to further improve the safety skills of employees, and they address difficult topics like deliberate risk. The plan to continue training with SafeStart Critical Decision Units (insert units titles and number) over the next 12 months ensures ongoing training progression and further SafeStart skill development.
141It’s time to schedule training on the SafeStart Critical Decisions units for this site. Critical Decisions units are completed after a good grasp of the Critical Errors units of the SafeStart course has been established. Two units per year should be conducted.
198Training on the SafeStart Critical Decisions units has not yet begun because the Critical Errors units training just finished. Critical Decisions units are completed after a good grasp of the Critical Errors units of the SafeStart course has been established. In-house trainers certified to deliver the Critical Errors units can deliver the Critical Decisions units without further training because the Critical Decisions units follow the same delivery format as the Critical Errors units. The Critical Decisions units are used as a sustainability measure to retain the knowledge and results achieved with the Critical Errors units. These units cover decision-making, more specific applications and additional situations, advanced concepts to further improve the safety skills of employees, and they address difficult topics like deliberate risk. Two units per year should be conducted.
142Training on the SafeStart Critical Decisions units has not yet begun because Critical Errors unit training is still underway at this site. Ensure that Critical Decisions training has been scheduled to start shortly after Critical Errors training is complete.
143There are a sufficient number of certified trainers for this site. It is commendable that there are enough SafeStart trainers as this will allow for timely training of new employees and the speedy rollout of any additional training.
144There are not enough certified trainers on-site. It is recommended that a SafeStart consultant come on-site to deliver a train-the-trainer session to provide training certification. Once certified, the new certified trainers will be able to deliver training to all employees based upon the implementation schedule.
146The majority of employees at this site have maintained a strong understanding of the state-to-error pattern. A practical knowledge of the states and errors is the foundation of SafeStart training and it’s a good sign that most employees were able to name the states and errors when quizzed on them.
147There continues to be a limited knowledge of the state-to-error pattern at this site. Some employees were able to name the four states and four errors, but others struggled to identify them when quizzed.
148Employees at this site still do not sufficiently understand the states and errors. The foundation of SafeStart training is the knowledge and application of the state-to-error pattern and it is concerning that relatively few employees were able to demonstrate a strong awareness of the states and errors.
149The majority of employees at this site have a good working knowledge of the critical error reduction techniques (CERTs). This is demonstrated through specific reference of how they have applied the four CERTS in their day to day lives. Additionally they were able to cite specific habits they have personally focussed on improving upon. The CERTs provide a way for employees to effectively avoid incidents, learn from past mistakes and the mistakes of others, and build critical safety habits. They’re an important part of the SafeStart process, and supervisors should focus on sustaining the daily application of the CERTs and promote their use at home and on the road.
150Employees at this site are somewhat able to recall the critical error reduction techniques (CERTs) but improvement is required. The CERTs provide a way for employees to effectively avoid incidents, learn from past mistakes and the mistakes of others, and build critical safety habits. They’re an important part of the SafeStart process, and without the widespread use of the CERTs there is the risk the injury-reducing effects of SafeStart will fade over time.
151Most employees at this site were unable to recall the critical error reduction techniques (CERTs). The CERTs provide a way for employees to effectively avoid incidents, learn from past mistakes and the mistakes of others, and build critical safety habits. They’re an important part of the SafeStart process, and without a good working knowledge of the CERTs, there is the risk the injury-reducing effects of SafeStart will fade over time. Long-term success of the SafeStart implementation is at serious risk of failure. To encourage use of the CERTs, supervisors should distribute SafeStart CERT practice cards to analyze SafeStart stories and recordable injuries that CERTs could have prevented.
152Employees have a generally positive attitude towards SafeStart at this site. Training was well received by employees and this positive view of SafeStart provides a good environment for consolidating and sustaining existing use of SafeStart and for any additional training in the future.
153The general attitude towards SafeStart among employees is mixed at this site. There is some acceptance of SafeStart but employees haven’t fully embraced the state-to-error pattern. Helping employees view SafeStart in a positive light will create an environment that is more conducive to sustaining SafeStart training into the future.
154Employees’ prevailing attitude towards SafeStart is negative at this site. If there is resistance to the SafeStart concepts then it will be challenging for the employees to effectively use them to reduce the risk of injury.
155SafeStart terminology is frequently used by employees and supervisors at this site. This is a strong indication that employees have understood and embraced SafeStart concepts and are actively using their training to avoid making errors that increase the risk of injury. However, without continual support there is always a risk that the use of SafeStart terminology could fade. Be sure to regularly encourage employees to communicate about states, errors and critical error reduction techniques, and to lead the way by having supervisors use SafeStart language whenever possible.
156Although SafeStart terminology isn’t part of regular conversations between employees, it is often used when an incident occurs. This denotes the beginning of a culture shift within the organization. However, there are steps that can be taken to increase the use of SafeStart language.
157SafeStart terminology is rarely used by employees or supervisors at this site. Without the regular use of SafeStart language, employees are unlikely to maintain the SafeStart skills and awareness they gained from their initial training. It’s important to lead the way by using SafeStart terms and concepts in everyday activities, from toolbox talks to safety and hazard analyses.
158Most employees at this site have taken SafeStart home to their families. This is an important step to instilling safety as a core value and reducing employee risk of injury no matter where they are. Employees should continue to be encouraged to take SafeStart home. In particular, supervisors should have a discussion with employees who haven’t made use of the Taking SafeStart Home program or to discuss SafeStart with family members. The majority of injuries take place at home and on the road, and employees can make their families safer by sharing SafeStart with them. Employees actively took part in the following taking SafeStart home activities (list events that took place) additionally employees have taken advantage and shared the SafeStart concepts in their community organizations such as (list teams or groups that SafeStart has been introduced to).
159Only some employees at this site have taken SafeStart home to their families. This is an important step to instilling safety as a core value and reducing employee risk of injury no matter where they are. Employees should continue to be encouraged to take SafeStart home. In particular, supervisors should publicly discuss the value of talking about SafeStart with family members and should review the Taking SafeStart Home program with employees. While it’s not realistic to expect every employee to take SafeStart home, there is still room for improvement in this area and the company will benefit from further promoting the at-home use of SafeStart. Additionally, because the majority of injuries take place at home and on the road employees can help make their families safer by sharing SafeStart with them. Participation in the 24/7 message of SafeStart has been limited for the events organized by the steering committee and no employees have come forward to share SafeStart out in their community.
160Overall, employees at this site have not taken SafeStart home to their families. This is an important step to instilling safety as a core value and reducing employee risk of injury no matter where they are. Employees should be encouraged to make use of the SafeStart Home program and to discuss SafeStart with family members. While it’s not realistic to expect every employee to take SafeStart home, there is still much room for improvement in this area and the company will benefit from putting more effort into promoting at-home use of SafeStart. Additionally, because the majority of injuries take place off the job, employees can make their families safer by sharing SafeStart with them. No events or encouragement to share the concepts 24/7 have been organized or utilized to date.
161The SafeStart steering committee is a strong on-site steward of SafeStart. The steering committee is following the recommended implementation timeline and is taking the necessary steps to foster a positive attitude towards SafeStart. The steering committee should continue to consult the steering committee resources for ideas on sustaining SafeStart. It’s also important for the steering committee to keep a fresh perspective and effectively support SafeStart’s presence in the future, so don’t forget to plan for the rotation of steering committee members. The steering committee has done a commendable job of establishing a 12 month plan for sustaining and integrating SafeStart into the company’s safety culture and executing the mentioned plan.
162The site has a SafeStart steering committee but the committee isn’t working as effectively as it could be to sustain SafeStart’s presence. The committee should consult SafeStart’s steering committee resources to ensure it is following all the recommended steps and to craft a clear plan to sustain SafeStart over the next several years. The committee should also be meeting on a regular basis. It may also be necessary to reinvigorate the steering committee by allowing some longstanding committee members to step back from their duties and be replaced by new members.
163There is no formal SafeStart steering committee on-site, and one should be formed as soon as possible. The steering committee needs to be involved with clear goals and responsibilities to ensure sustainability and structuring of the five-year strategy (refer to the milestones set out in the steering committee resource binder). This strategy includes all engagements of the SafeStart components from workplace champions to family initiatives to on-going training in its efforts in keeping the drive alive. The makeup of the committee should have membership from both management and different departments throughout the site with a makeup of 6-8 people. One person should be designated the chair of the committee and another as the recording secretary for recording and distributing minutes. It is recommended that the on-site safety specialist is not the chair.
164A steering committee training session should be delivered by a SafeStart consultant as soon as possible. This half-day training session covers the essential functions and best practices of a SafeStart steering committee, and it also teaches how to develop a plan for emphasizing the critical error reduction techniques on a regular basis.
165Steering committee members should serve on the committee for 18-24 months and should then step aside so that others can join the committee. A steady rotation will help keep the steering committee fresh and energized, and to stave off the committee becoming complacent or developing tunnel vision. No more than half the committee should be changed at any one time to ensure continuity as new members come on, and there should always be a good mix of management and members from different departments.
166Leading SafeStart 24/7 was conducted on-site for senior leadership. It is important for the leadership team to be on board with this SafeStart initiative and learn how to coach their employees through the process. There are clear signs that leadership personnel take their role as SafeStart advocates seriously and are dedicated to the SafeStart process.
167Although Leading SafeStart 24/7 has already been conducted on-site, the course should be delivered again to provide a refresher on key concepts. This training course is an integral part of a successful SafeStart implementation because it introduces managers to the SafeStart concepts and establishes their roles and responsibilities both during and after the delivery of the SafeStart units. Refreshing the training will demonstrate a renewed commitment to the success of SafeStart and will provide on-site leadership with additional knowledge and skills they need to coach employees through the SafeStart process. It is recommended that the course be delivered by a SafeStart consultant when possible.
168The Leading SafeStart 24/7 training was not conducted for this site. It is recommended that the course be delivered by a SafeStart consultant immediately. This training course is an integral part of a successful SafeStart implementation because it introduces managers to the SafeStart concepts and establishes their roles and responsibilities both during and after the delivery of the SafeStart units. This course allows them to be more invested in the training and they learn to “Walk the Talk”, using their influence (leading by example) to have an impact on their employees 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
169Rate Your State has been implemented at this site and formal training of front line supervisors on how to take part in a RYS discussion has been completed. Supervisors are conducting these discussions on a regular basis in a positive and effective manner.
170With the current success of the RYS program it is strongly recommended that training to all employees on conducting RYS discussions begin and thereby launching RYS as a peer to peer intervention could then take place.
171While Rate Your State has been implemented at this site and formal training of front line supervisors on how to take part in a RYS discussion has been completed these discussions are not taking place as intended. A review of the intent of RYS should take place and clear goals for these informal discussions should be re-established.
172It is recommended that the Rate Your State program be implemented at this site. RYS converts the SafeStart knowledge learned in the classroom to real-time practice and discussions on the job and provides a positive communication platform you can expand upon or incorporate into an observation and feedback process.
210Ergonomics training is a crucial element of workplace safety training. The physical factors of ergonomics are easy to identify but you need to assess the human factors involved before the physical factors develop in in order to prevent them. SafeStart’s innovative approach to ergonomics goes well beyond standard instructions on safe lifting techniques and discusses risk factors for repetitive strain injuries. SafeStart for Ergonomics should be implemented after the Critical Errors units to teach workers to identify exertion injuries and repetitive strains before they happen because it uses the same concepts and techniques.
173It is recommended that the SafeStart Performance program be implemented at this site. The purpose of SafeStart Performance is to help you apply the SafeStart concepts and techniques to not only prevent or reduce performance errors but also help to enhance your performance so you get better at everything you do. Risk management has ordinarily been applied as a safety function; however, it rarely includes the effects of human factors. In almost all cases, performance errors start with complacency. Complacency is an inaccurate perception of risk, the more comfortable you become with a task, the less likely you are to think about the risk involved. SafeStart Performance is about going beyond the simple or in-the-moment errors, training workers to control their state of mind to improve on-the-job performance.
174This site is to be commended for their efforts and diligence in conducting an observation and feedback process. Observing a co-worker provides the opportunity to deliver meaningful and positive reinforcement, especially for on-going safe behaviors like eyes on task, body position out of the line-of-fire and balance, traction and grip. An effective observation process also offers the opportunity to positively correct at-risk behavior if observed. It is suggested that the organization review the concepts of the SafeTrack program, particularly Unit #3 on Communication Skills, an in-depth instruction of Positive Reinforcement and Positive Corrections to strengthen their observation and feedback process.
175All employees have attended the SafeTrack Employee Overview session. The SafeTrack Employee Overview session ensures employees develop a strong understanding of the concepts and benefits of an observation and feedback process. With all employees having attended the overviews, the site may consider expanding the observation process to peer to peer observations.
176Most employees have attended the employee overview session yet many employees have not had a SafeTrack observation conducted while performing their task. SafeTrack is intended to positively correct at-risk behavior if observed. It is suggested the certified trained observers conduct more observations within operations.
177Not all employees have attended the employee observation session and have not had an observation conducted. It is suggested that the purpose of conducting an effective observation process is to reduce injuries positively and efficiently by using meaningful positive reinforcement. It is suggested that further communication about the SafeTrack process is delivered showing support and direction. Observation and feedback processes have been around for a long time and thousands of companies around the world have used them to successfully decrease injuries. However, injury reductions and other benefits aren’t free—they require hard work and a strong commitment to safety.
178It is recommended that SafeTrack be implemented immediately. SafeTrack is a process designed to reduce injuries and unfortunate events through positive reinforcement. Teaching people how to observe a co-worker deliver both positive reinforcement and constructively correct something deemed as at-risk if observed creates an environment of keeping safety top of mind. It is suggested that SafeTrack be implemented immediately after the SafeStart core concepts have been learned within the facility.
179Toolbox talks occur regularly and SafeStart concepts are regularly included in them. The site should be commended for integrating SafeStart concepts into safety meetings. This is a good way to encourage employees to keep the state-to-error pattern in mind throughout the day.
180Toolbox talks are conducted regularly but the SafeStart concepts are not a consistent part of the discussion. Safety meetings provide an excellent opportunity to reinforce SafeStart concepts and get employees to practice using the state-to-error pattern and applying the critical error reduction techniques. Integrating SafeStart into your current toolbox talks will help sustain the injury-reducing effects of SafeStart and further embed it into the company’s SafeStart culture.
181Toolbox talks are not conducted frequently enough. Holding safety meetings at the beginning of the work day is an important method of getting employees to think about safety. It’s also a good way to reinforce SafeStart concepts and encourage employees to keep the state-to-error pattern in mind throughout the day.
182Consider beginning each meeting with a SafeStart story, even for meetings that have nothing to do with safety. Doing so will demonstrate that leadership takes safety seriously and that they are committed to improving safety everywhere. Additionally, because everyone is at risk of committing a human error, it’s important to make sure everyone regularly discusses the state-to-error pattern. There only needs to be one story per meeting, so it will take very little time, but taking this step can have a dramatic effect on the site’s safety culture.
183The site is doing a good job of considering SafeStart concepts whenever a job safety analysis/job hazard analysis (JSA/JHA) is conducted. This is a key step in sustaining the personal safety awareness that employees receive from SafeStart training. It’s important to keep in mind that including SafeStart concepts on JSA/JHA forms isn’t enough to ensure they are properly being considered, and JSA/JHAs should be reviewed regularly to ensure that human factors are being properly considered.
184SafeStart concepts are sometimes considered in the site’s current job safety analysis/job hazard analysis (JSA/JHA) but further integration is required. This is a key step in sustaining the personal safety awareness that employees receive from SafeStart training. Fully integrating SafeStart concepts during the preparation of a JSA/JHA will give you a more complete view of the potential hazards of a job task. It’s important to keep in mind that including SafeStart concepts on JSA/JHA forms isn’t enough to ensure they are properly being considered, and JSA/JHAs should be reviewed regularly to ensure that human factors are being properly considered.
185SafeStart should be integrated into the site’s current job safety analysis/job hazard analysis (JSA/JHA). Integrating SafeStart concepts during the preparation of a JSA/JHA will give you a more complete view of the potential hazards of a job task. It doesn’t take a special form, and you can adapt your current JSA/JHA to include SafeStart concepts by considering how the task, tools and work environment could contribute to a worker being in one of the four states. The goal is to add states and errors to the list of potential hazards and to get employees to ask themselves where they could affect the job at hand. It’s also possible to consider which critical error reduction technique could be used to prevent a critical error.
186The site’s current job safety analysis/job hazard analysis (JSA/JHA) process is doing an inadequate job of preparing employees for hazards and other crucial safety issues. JSA/JHAs are required to identify the hazards of a job before they occur so that preventative measures can be established before there is an injury.
187SafeStart concepts are an integral part of the site's near-miss reporting process. This is very encouraging, as it is a crucial part of sustaining SafeStart and ensuring employees analyze small mistakes and errors to avoid making larger ones. Continue to monitor near-miss reports to maintain the current success of near-miss reporting.
188At times SafeStart concepts are included in all near-miss reporting. However, additional work should be done to ensure the states, errors and CERTs are front and center in the near-miss reporting process. Think of it as the formal component of CERT #2: Analyzing close calls and small errors to avoid agonizing over big ones. Encourage the use of SafeStart concepts in near-miss reports by including a section on the form for the states, errors and CERTs. Employees should also be coached on the importance of discussing the state-to-error pattern in near-miss reports.
189SafeStart concepts are not used in near-miss reports. These reports provide crucial learning opportunities and offer employees and management a chance to examine how the states and errors appear on site before an injury occurs. As such, major learning opportunities are currently being missed. Think of it as an institutional version of CERT #2: Analyzing close calls and small errors to avoid agonizing over big ones. Encourage the use of SafeStart concepts in near-miss reports by including a section on the form for the states, errors and CERTs. Employees should also be coached on the importance of discussing the state-to-error pattern in near-miss reports.
190The site does not have a sufficiently robust near-miss reporting process. Near-miss reports help workers learn from errors and allow management to identify hazards or dangerous states that are present in the workplace. Near-miss reporting is a crucial component of a robust safety management system. A proper near-miss reporting process should be implemented and SafeStart concepts should be a central consideration in near-miss reports.
191This site incorporates SafeStart concepts into regular compliance training, relating the state-to-error pattern to injury causing mistakes and how it specifically relates to compliance topics like forklift safety, lockout/tagout, fire safety, etc. Additionally, the CERTs are discussed and applied to prevent incidents from occurring in the day-to-day practices of such compliance topics.
192This site does not incorporate SafeStart concepts into regular compliance training. The SafeStart state-to-error pattern leads to injury causing mistakes and specifically relates to compliance topics like forklift safety, lockout/tagout, fire safety, etc. Additionally, the CERTs can be applied to prevent incidents from occurring in the day-to-day practices of such compliance topics.
193During the walkaround it was easy to see that the SafeStart communication kit has been used extensively throughout the site. Posters and banners have been posted in high-traffic areas and it was noted that they are changed regularly.
194During the walkaround there was some evidence of SafeStart-related signage but there should be more posters and banners displayed in high-traffic areas. For safety communications to be effective, they need to be displayed where employees will see them regularly. Viable locations include entrances and exits, break areas and other places that are frequented by the majority of employees.
195It was noted that the existing SafeStart visual displays are not rotated on a regular basis. Safety signs can quickly become stale and employees will stop mentally registering them if they aren’t consistently changed. The steering committee should create a rotation schedule to ensure the messaging stays fresh.
196During the walkaround there was little evidence of a SafeStart communication kit or other SafeStart-related signage. Posters, banners and other signage are an excellent way to reinforce SafeStart language and help keep the state-to-error pattern at the front of mind for employees. Purchase the SafeStart communication kit and display posters and banners in high-traffic areas. The steering committee should also create a rotation schedule to ensure the posters are rotated regularly and the messaging stays fresh.
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This report summarizes the findings from the recent follow-up visit and provides the basis for a number of recommendations for future work in improving the SafeStart process on-site. A recommendation plan will be established during an upcoming virtual meeting between [CLIENT NAME] personnel and SafeStart’s Director of Continuity Initiatives, Dennis Carnrike and Account Manager, [ACCOUNT MANAGER NAME].
Based on the findings of this follow-up visit, you did not reach medal performance status as part of SafeStart's client recognition program. The goal of the program is to ensure clients reach safety success based on achieving established milestones for training, sustainability and integration. You will have the opportunity to receive recognition at your next follow-up visit based on the implementation of the recommendations below.
If you have any questions about the report contact [ACCOUNT MANAGER NAME], they’ll be able to discuss the findings with you.
In order to achieve maximum results with SafeStart, pay particular attention to the bolded recommendations below. Prioritize your checklist to ensure you’re hitting all the right marks in your SafeStart implementation which includes achieving established milestones for training, sustainability and integration.
Attach the following support material: