This isn't just HSE, it's business improvement!

On delivery of the 6 monthly Management Review, one of the Directors proclaimed 'this isn't just HSE it's business improvement'.

That is exactly what it is.

We have been working with a chemical manufacturing facility in the Scottish Borders since the end of 2022 to improve their HSE performance following delivery of some process safety work scopes in response to an incident in 2021 which had rippling impacts throughout the business.

We initially spent a lot of time talking to workforce to understand the barriers to engagement from their perspective. In the most part, this was associated with lack of communications and unclear routes for reporting which had eroded their trust.

While our ultimate aim was always to improve HSE performance, we are tackling this from all angles to create a viable, sustainable way of working that is standard across the different departments of the business.

Our HSE Improvement Plan has focussed on 3 key areas of:

1. Training and Competency
2. Workforce Engagement
3. IMS Visibility

We've delivered this through:

• Successful implementation of intervention programme with daily reporting and feedback
• Daily TBT to all departments to cascade information
• Implementation of effective MoC
• Monthly active monitoring
• Monthly safety meetings
• New communications procedure
• Revising incident/accident/near miss definitions
• Delivery of new communications process so everyone understands expectations for communications on HSE.

And the outcome of this is that people stepping up, intervening and taking the initiative which has resulted in a significant reduction in unsafe conditions and behaviours and a massive improvement in HSE communications. The first monthly report has been published so everyone can see the fruits of their labours.

From a commercial perspective, the site is more efficient, trust is building and the workforce have clear expectations on their roles and responsibilities and the expectations on them. By planning work effectively, mistakes are reduced and projects run smoothly which is a significant cost saving.

Of course this is only the start. Moving forward, we will focus on the Q elements of the business and apply the same level of rigour to the commercial goals, objectives and targets.

Now the hard work begins of reinforcing, maintaining and continually improving on everyone's good work!

Jill Butler Rennie is the HSE Lead at OTECSA.

[email protected]