Module 9

Monitoring Health and Safety

Performance

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Measuring Safety Performance

 “Most managers are

aware of the need to
keep a careful eye
on financial
performance, but
many fail to apply
the same approach
to their management
of health and safety”

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 What is meant by monitoring?

A standard used to measure performance

over time
are we achieving objectives ?
are we improving or getting worse?
are our measures working?
are there weakness in our management
teams?
where could we improve?
where must we improve?
are staff and managers committed &
interested?
are we complying with legal standards?

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Performance Standards

 May be integrated with quality

management systems and could include
 Statutory Inspections (lifts, boilers)

 Regular sampling of the workplace

 Specification

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Reactive Monitoring

 Reactive monitoring
measures failure
(accidents, incidents,
damage to property,
unsafe conditions)
 A lack of information
on failure may indicate
poor organisational
culture - a potential
time bomb.

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Statistics...
 Can be a real tool for identifying
problems but they are
 Historic

 Only as accurate as the data

 Not able to identify chronic health problems

until too late

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 HSE Annual Injury Incidence
Rate (AIIR)
 The number of
reportable injuries
divided by the
average number of
employees and AIIR=
multiplied by no. of reportable injuries
x 100 000
100,000 average no. of employees

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 HSE Statistics 1997/98

Facts - Under Reporting

 Only 44% of >3 day accidents are

reported
 Only 10% of >3 day accidents are
reported by the self employed
 Fatal accidents remain difficult
to hide

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Proactive Monitoring

 Measures progress towards health and

safety objectives
 Asks if performance standards being
met

So, what is an objective?

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 An objective should be

 SMART
 Specific

 Measurable

 Achievable

 Realistic

 Timescale

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Proactive Monitoring

 Inspections
 Limitations include hazards which are not
obvious
 Hazards which cannot be eliminated

 May deal with symptoms not the cause

 Carrying out the inspection

 Before, during and after

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Proactive Monitoring
 Safety Sampling
 random exercise following a predetermined route

 Safety Tours
 unscheduled examination of the workplace

 Safety Surveys
 specialist, often focusing on specific issues

 Audits
 systematic examination of management systems

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Health and Safety Benchmarking
Step 1 - Deciding what to benchmark

Step 2 - Analysing where you are

Step 3 - Selecting Partners

- Internal or External

Step 4 - Working With Your Partner

Step 5 - Learning and acting

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Health and Safety benchmarking
Pointers to success
 senior management resources and commitment
 employee involvement
 an open and participative approach
 a willingness to share information
 an ability to identify strengths and weaknesses
 compare data on a meaningful basis
 effective planning and preparation
© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1