The “Shoot the Messenger” Culture : A Barrier to Safety

(Based on my experience as an OISD auditor, sharing my first article on linkdin for your valuable inputs)

The Problem

As an auditor, one of the common observations I encountered was the underreporting of near-misses. During discussions with various workers outside of the audit, the phrase “shoot the messenger” frequently came to mind. Recognizing that this issue was widespread, I coined the term “shoot the messenger culture” in my article.

In many industries, particularly in high-risk environments such as refineries, this culture can have severe consequences. The term refers to the tendency of management to blame or penalize individuals who report bad news, rather than addressing the underlying issues. This culture not only demoralizes employees but also undermines safety protocols, leading to a dangerous work environment. This fear stems from a management approach that makes the bearer of bad news responsible for rectifying the problem or fails to appreciate their honesty. As a result, only the most obvious unsafe acts and conditions get recorded, while near misses—critical indicators of potential hazards—go unreported.

Consequences

1. Underreporting of Near Misses: Near misses are crucial for identifying and mitigating risks before they result in accidents. When these are not reported, the opportunity to learn and improve safety measures is lost.
2. Erosion of Trust: Employees lose trust in management when they feel that reporting issues will lead to blame rather than support. This erodes the overall safety culture within the organization.
3. Increased Risk: Without accurate reporting, management lacks the data needed to make informed decisions about safety improvements. This increases the likelihood of accidents and incidents.

Addressing the Issue

To combat this culture, refineries need to foster an environment where reporting issues is encouraged and valued. Here are some steps that can be taken:

1. Encourage Open Communication: Create channels where employees can report issues anonymously if needed. Ensure that all reports are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.
2. Reward Honesty: Recognize and reward employees who report near misses and unsafe conditions. This can be through formal recognition programs or simple acknowledgments.
3. Focus on Solutions, Not Blame: Shift the focus from blaming individuals to finding solutions. When an issue is reported, management should work collaboratively with the employee to address it.
4. Training and Education: Regularly train employees on the importance of reporting all safety concerns, including near misses. Educate management on how to respond constructively to such reports.
5. Leadership Commitment: Leaders must demonstrate a commitment to safety by their actions. This includes being transparent about issues and showing that they value and act on employee reports.

Conclusion

The “shoot the messenger” culture is detrimental to safety in organizations. By fostering an environment of open communication, rewarding honesty, and focusing on solutions rather than blame, refineries can improve their safety records and create a more supportive workplace. Ultimately, this leads to a safer, more efficient operation where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.