The Safety Challenge and the limitations of BBS
Traditionally the pursuit of zero safety incidents has utilized Behaviour-based Safety (BBS) systems and has achieved results of varying success. Many companies are experiencing a plateau effect in their safety performance. Businesses that are brave and honest enough to conduct genuine assessments of their continuing safety performance, recognize that the early gains made through BBS have reached plateaus and, in some cases, safety performance is again on the decline.
We believe this is due to the limitations of the foundations of BBS, which is the psychological theory of Behaviourism. Behaviourism and the BBS model assume that external motivators are required to have employees behave in certain ways. This theory does not take into account a fundamental human aspect that people think and feel independently of the reward and punishment systems set up in a BBS system.
From a psychological perspective, the reason BBS has not, and cannot, produce the safety results required is because it is an incomplete theory being used incorrectly when used on its own. If a business is to truly enhance its safety performance for its people, then it needs to consider its people for what they are and not as simply a set of behaviours.
There is a significant amount of evidence to suggest that a more cognitive approach is required as we progress to the next level of safety performance.
Beyond the Plateau?
Cognitive Behavioural Safety (CBS) provides a more effective response to the current safety challenge. Drawing on the more mature psychological theory of Cognitive Behaviourism, CBS recognizes that an individual’s behaviour is a function not only of external influences and consequences but is also guided by the individual’s internal attitudes, values, belief systems and frames of reference. CBS takes into account that a person is driven by internal processes that are important to them and that need to be recognized as affecting the way they act in the world.
CBS has been operationalized through the ZERO Incident Process otherwise known as ZIP, a unique psychologically-based safety process developed by Sentis.
By utilizing CBS within your business, we create a genuine opportunity for your people to dramatically improve their ability to keep themselves safe.