Getting the Most From Safety Data and Analysis

Introduction

Keeping people safe in business today, involves many different aspects of safety management, one of which, is the capturing of safety data. Most organisations today, use a wide range of mechanisms to gather and analyse this data, ranging from simple spreadsheets to highly sophisticated software platforms and applications.

However, there's more involved, that's often not explored when measuring safety data and it's how we translate this data, into meaningful improvement strategies.

Data Capture

Regardless of the mechanisms used to capture safety data, here are just a few of the main functions that need to be considered;

1. The data capture mechanism must be made available to everyone within the business. Ideally, this would be in the form of an app, or even a simple card, that can record any safety-related activity or measure.
2. The data being collected must be relevant to the activities and the risk profile of the business which means, it is tied to what we do and any improvements we want to create for the business (more about that later).
3. A combination of both leading and trailing data points should be established (what we do before an unplanned event - is proactive, and what we do post an unplanned event - is reactive). The more leading or proactive, data points the better.
4. If we see an improvement, ask why there has been improvement in that area, and build on those success factors. Don't just focus on the areas that 'need' improvement.

Data Content

Let's take a look at the type of data that most businesses today are capturing. Traditionally, although this is vastly improving, most data points revolve around lagging, or trailing indicators, incident rates, LTIFR etc.

Today, however, many businesses are using leading indicators more often, those that are proactive in nature and act in a preventative way, rather than a reactive way. Some examples include training, observations, toolbox talks, inspections, drills, task analysis, pre-planning and debriefing activities.

One of the very best examples we've ever seen in this proactive space comes from an organisation called 'Scratchie', where safe behaviours are not only acknowledged but they are celebrated, Take a look at SCRATCHIE

Including more of these proactive and leading data points, can have a hugely positive impact on safety performance, and culture. Yes 'culture'! The more we engage and frame safety positively, the more participation we get, the more safety becomes embedded in everything we do, and the better our culture. This is an equation for safety that we have seen work, time and time again, and it's not rocket science.

Data Analysis

When we are analysing this data, have we asked ourselves what it is we want to achieve? Do we understand the real differences between poor and good performance? Are the metrics clear, and unambiguous and will they lead to genuine improvement?

If we see performance improvement, this can also provide us with an opportunity to build on the very reasons why we're seeing these improvements. Perhaps we can apply these success factors, elsewhere within the business.

Improvement Management

The very purpose of safety data collection and analysis is to improve safety. This is not just tied to performance measures, i.e., a reduction in incidents or an increase in observations, it can also contribute significantly, to culture and, leadership.

We need to be very clear on, what we are asking, how we are asking and why we are asking, so that we can develop improvement strategies, from an informed position.

Simply reading a graph or seeing a numerical reduction in frequency or incident rates, should not be considered the be-all and end-all, of this information we collect and review.

The Critical Phase

This is where it gets interesting and many businesses in our experience, fail to fully capitalise on the data that's been gathered. Whether it's due to the irrelevance of what's being asked or the quality of the data, what we do with this data, matters even more.

Developing specific and targeted improvement plans and strategies from this data provides an opportunity to invite more participation from workers and provides transparency on how we're doing and how we can improve.

In this area, we've offered some real value for our partners, to help maximise the benefits of their data, so that they not only improve on the measurable and visible aspects of safety but also those less visible aspects, like culture.

Summary

Safety data, when presented, analysed and translated into actionable plans, can have a major impact on safety performance. Never underestimate the importance of what you've learned, observed or asked.

If you'd like to hear about how we help businesses to translate this data into meaningful improvement strategies, get in touch - clay@icaresafetygroup.com