Is the Boiling Frog Effect Happening at Your Company? Here’s How to Find Out and What to Do

The proverbial boiling frog story teaches that gradual changes can often go unnoticed until they become fatal. ?In business, particularly in high risk / consequence industries, this analogy highlights how a gradual decline in safety practices can escalate into serious accidents if not timely addressed. ?Are such changes occurring at your company?

Consider the following points as a checklist:

Review Incident and Near-Miss Trends: ?Is there a small but consistent increase in incidents or near misses recorded over time? ?This could be a sign that minor safety issues are being normalized.

Assess Training Effectiveness: ?When was the last time your training protocols were updated? ?Are they rigorous enough to deal with the specific challenges your employees face?? Have you given the entire company a trace-free, anonymous poll asking their opinion of the effectiveness of their training??

Solicit Employee Feedback: ?Are employees freely providing feedback about safety concerns? ?A lack of communication might indicate that employees are gradually accepting risks as part of the job.? Has the organization officially recognized previous suggestions from employees that have been implemented into practice?

Monitor Engagement in Safety Drills: ?Do employees actively participate in safety drills with seriousness, or is there a noticeable complacency? ?In the Navy, we used to call them “dig-its” and “non-digits”.? The non-dig-it’s of course, did not “dig” it and were always a potential cause of poor morale, among other things.? Know your staff.? Engagement levels can be a clear indicator of your safety culture’s health.? Particularly the organization’s leadership – a non-dig-it in high ranks may have a ripple effect and is a significant concern.

Reward System:? When was the last time anyone in the organization was publicly rewarded for contributing somehow to making the organization safer?? Really.? If the answer is “never”, this is an easy one to fix with little capital. ?Make it a monthly or quarterly goal to award someone authentically for making a positive difference in safety. ?A family trip to Six Flags can make a world of difference.

If you find that your company might be overlooking gradual safety slips, consider this strategic plan implemented by a company facing similar issues:

Enhanced Onboarding Process: They revamped their onboarding to include scenario-based training specific to their operations, significantly preparing new hires for real-world challenges.?

Mandatory Refresher Training: They introduced compulsory, quarterly training sessions for all staff, ensuring everyone is up-to-date with the latest safety protocols and technologies.

Regularized Emergency Drills: By increasing the frequency and rigor of emergency drills, they ensured that all employees could respond swiftly and correctly in a crisis.

Open Communication Channels: ?They established a robust feedback mechanism that encouraged a continuous flow of communication about safety practices, fostering an environment where safety concerns are promptly addressed.

Just as that company saw a reduction in safety incidents, your company could experience similar improvements by enhancing training and engagement. ?Regular training and open communication will also reinforce a safety-first mindset across all levels of the organization.

When employees see their safety as a priority, it will boost morale and decrease turnover.? A strong safety record can also improve relations with regulators and enhance your company’s reputation in the industry.

This proactive approach not only prevents the boiling frog effect but also sets a new standard for safety within your industry. By continuously evaluating and improving your safety practices, your company can ensure that it not only remains compliant but thrives, protecting its most valuable asset—its people.