Behavior Based

Safety (BBS)
 Benefits Pillars
3 4
Why we perform? What are the basis for BBS?

Benefits Pillars

Challenges 2 5 Steps

What challenges faces BBS

Challenges Steps How we implement BBS?
implementation?

What is BBS?
What is
BBS Workshop

1 6
Definitions
BBS?
COURSE Workshop Examples on how to
apply BBS system
 Learning
Unsafe act vs. Objectives What are BBS

condition! pillars?

What is BBS? How to establish

BBS?

What are factors affecting Benefits of

human behaviors? BBS.
Hazard:
something has the potential to cause harm such as:
• physical hazards.
• biological hazards.
• fire & explosion hazards.
• etc.
Risk:
probability of harm from particular hazard being released.

Risk= Consequences * likelihood

Risk Perception:
people’s subjective judgement about likelihood of
negative occurrences such as injuries, illness, loss or
death.
Accident:
unplanned , unwanted event that resulted in harm to
people , environmental impact, damage to property or
operations stopped.
Near Miss:
any event that has the potential to cause injury and/or
damage or any kind of loss but was avoided by
circumstances.
Unsafe Acts:
any act that deviates from generally recognized
way or specified method of doing a job and
increases the potential for any accident.
Unsafe conditions:
any condition deviates from a generally
recognized way or specified method for the
work place and increase the potential for any
accident.
 “Accidents are mainly happens due to
either unsafe action or unsafe condition
or combination of both”
 “to control the unsafe act we shall
adapt the behaviors”
5%
15%

Accident Causation
this graph showing the immediate
accident causes percentage based
on the collected general industry
data.

80%
 1
fata

10
minor injuries Heinrich Triangle
a trend based on general industry data showing the
30 relation between the unsafe actions at workplace and the
property damage
resultant injuries or fatalities rates.

600
incidents

4000
unsafe acts
 “Analyze the behavior in order to define
what changes are required to make safe
behavior available & encourage people to
behave safely”
Human Failures:
 Behavioral Based
Safety (BBS)
• We are looking now for • Our target in BBS is
the personal behavior to identify any unsafe
which became one of behavior or act and
the accident causes. change it to be safe
behavior.
 Behavioral Based Safety:
Is a process that help employees to identify and
choose safe behavior over an unsafe one.
 Behavioral Based Safety
Cycle
Attitude
Safety Systems

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BBS

Cycle

Behavior Culture
Culture:
Is a combination of organization’s:

• Behaviors.
• Beliefs.
• Attitudes.
• Values.
• Way of doing things.
• Other shared characteristics of certain group or people.
Attitude:
Is an expression of favor or disfavor toward
person, place , thing or event.
“settled way of thinking or feeling about
something”
Behavior:
the way that human act & interact.
human behavior influenced by genetic make up,
culture, individual values & attitudes.
“Human behavior is observable &
measurable therefore it can be
managed ”
“Attitude is inside persons’s head so
it’s neither observable nor
measurable however attitude can be
changed by change behavior”
Factors Affecting Safe
Behavior
Job factors: Organizational factors: Human factors:
• management system. • beliefs.
• equipment. • policies / procedures. • perception.
• orientation & induction.
• material. • norms.
• leadership.
• supervision. • social pressure.
• tools.
• resources. • peer group pressure.
• risk. • design. • stress & fatigue.
• planning.
ABC Model

“A” activator “B” behavior “C” consequences

anything that signals / the act or behavior itself that the payoff or result of an act.
permits an individual to is observable.
act-in or behave.
Briefly:
Activator: Factors that come before behavior. They set
the stage for a behavior or prompt people to act in a
certain way.
Behavior: An observable act – what people do or say.
Consequences: What occurs after a behavior and
influences the likelihood of it in the future.
Examples:
Activator Behavior Consequences

get the information you needed

phone ringing pick up the phone & talk
from the caller

safety sign wear required PPEs you get protected

encouraged to tell employees

new policy employees argue with you
what’s required from them.
Activators:
• A person, place, thing or event that happens before a
behavior takes place that encourages you to perform
that behavior.

• Activators only set the stage for behavior or

performance they don’t control it.
Activators e.g:
What is your reaction regarding the following:
• red traffic light.
• fire alarm.
• safety training video.
• police car following you.
• sound of car alarm.
Behaviors:
Any directly measurable thing that a person does,
including speaking, acting, and performing physical
functions.
 Example:
For example, the behavior of putting money in a snack vending machine and
pressing a button has the consequence of the chosen food item being distributed.
The presentation of the food item functions as reinforcement for putting the
money in and pressing the button. If the person using the vending machine
actually wanted the food item then they will repeat this behavior in the future
(because it was successfully accomplished).
 Consequences:
• The events that follow behavior.

• Consequences increase or decrease the probability that the

behaviors will occur again in the future.
Consequences Outcome:
The consequence of any behavior could be:
• Positive Reinforcement “do this and you will be
awarded”.

• Negative Reinforcement “do this or you will get

punished” :

- Punishment “if you do this you will be penalized”.

- Extinction “do this or you will be terminated”.

Consequences Outcome:
consequence needs to be:
• Soon vs. Delayed.
• Certain vs. Uncertain.
• Positive vs. Negative.
• Personal vs. organizational.
Consequences Outcome:
Soon vs. Delayed:
• when the consequences occur which is either immediately
after the behavior or will take time to have the
consequences.
Consequences Outcome:
Certain vs. Uncertain:
• when you are certain that the consequences are
guaranteed to occur or you are uncertain about its
occurrence.
Consequences Outcome:
Positive vs. Negative:
• either the observed behavior will have a positive desirable
consequences or negative undesirable consequences.
Consequences Outcome:
Personal vs. Organizational:
• either the observed behavior will just have an impact on
the performer or this behavior consequence will extend to
impact the organization.
Most Effective Behaviors:
are those with following consequences:
• positive.
• certain.
• immediate.
Reinforcement:
 Reinforcement:
Positive Reinforcement R+ Negative Reinforcement R-
 R+ example:
if you wear PPE because you feel like you are contributing to safety in
your organization (by taking personal control of safety), you will be more
likely to wear PPE when your boss is not present.
R+ Reinforcement:
Doing something that results in positive reinforcement
promotes strong, durable behavior change, in addition
to other new positive behaviors.
 R- example:
For example, if you wear PPE to avoid a fine (that might
occur for not wearing PPE), this is you working under
negative reinforcement. your ‘wearing PPE’ behavior has
increased in order to avoid a bad situation.
 R- Reinforcement:
Doing something to avoid punishment will not inspire great or
creative performance. We get by, but we are not motivated to
improve – we are motivated by fear! Working because we ‘have
to’ will get sufficient performance, but working because we
‘want to’ will mean we get maximum performance.
R+ vs R- Reinforcement:
In many organizations, work is typically carried out under negative
reinforcement conditions (i.e. because we ‘have to’). This results in
adequate performance; employees do enough to satisfy a compliance
standard, but they do not go that extra mile. On the other hand, working
under positive reinforcement conditions can result in employees going
above and beyond their job duties, and employees will take personal
account for safety. If employees work under positive reinforcement
conditions (i.e. because they ‘want to’), then they will be:

1) motivated to work, which might result in;

2) creative thinking, successful decision making, seeking more responsibility.

 02

01 03

What are reinforcement? 01 03 Define the ABC model?

02 04

What is the difference What are factors affecting

04
between attitude & behavior? human behavior?
Behavior Based Safety Challenge
to create conditions that encourage people to
collaborate because they want to not because they
have to
 Training
Ability
Selection

Motivational
Performan Model
ce

Peer group boss , work environment

Job Climate
No pressures pressure

Motivati
Job Motivational on The Job itself
recognition & responsibility Factors any challenges
Why Implement BBS?
• help to reduce workplace injuries frequency.
• safety is mainly about people so their behavior is essential
for maintaining safety.

• to motivate people.
• it allows the organization to have performance feedback.
• it's a proactive technique that allow preventing accidents.
• allow deep involvement of employees.
Why Implement BBS?
• technique with proven efficiency.
• improve organization’s safety culture.
 What behaviors are being
observed?

WHAT Why are those behaviors

present?

WHY

NOW
What will done to correct WHAT
system deficiencies ?

How to Implement BBS?

Who Are Responsible for
implementing BBS Program?
• senior managers.
• line managers.
• supervisors.
• safety staff.
• workers.
BBS Pillars
BBS Pillars:
• Leadership.
• Engagement.
• Coaching.
• Communication.
• Recognition.
• Management.
 Leadership Communication
management leading by the system is communicated

example vertically & horizontally

Engagement Recognition
BBS employees to be
participation of all employees
Pillars motivated to apply
from all levels
the system

Coaching Management
all employees trained and system to be formally managed &

aware of the system controlled

Leadership:
• the organization management shall show its commitment
toward the BBS system.

• the senior management and all mangers at various level

shall lead by example in the course of behavioral safety.

• the senior management shall allocate all resources

required to efficiently implement the system.
Engagement:
• the organization shall ensure and maintain the
engagement & participation of all employees at various
levels in the establishment and implementation of the
BBS.

• employees shall show effective engagement in the

adherence to the BBS.

• maintain the employees consultation & participation at all

stages of system implementation and pay attention to
their feedback.
Coaching:
• the organization shall conduct necessary training and
coaching on BBS to ensure maximum gains from the
system.

•a refresher training shall be conducted to maintain

knowledge level for employees.
Communication:
• two way communication channel shall be maintained.
• provision of BBS forms.
• feedback on any reported unsafe behavior shall be
maintained.

• BBS status & trends shall be communicated to all

employees.
Recognition:
• the organization shall encourage employees to
implement & address any unsafe behaviors.
Management:
• the organization shall maintain supervision on the BBS
implementation and keep eye on any area for
improvement within the system.

• system performance shall be reviewed to maintain BBS

continual improvement.
 02

01 03

What are the BBS pillars? 01 03 what is meant by leadership?

02 04

Define ways of employee What is meant by two way

04
recognition? communication?
 Day-2 Recap
positive vs negative
1 4 BBS features
consequences

who responsible for implementing

2 motivational model 5
BBS system

3 benefits of BBS system 6 BBS pillars

 -
-
-
-

BBS Program
BBS Program:
• Design BBS program team.
• Choose target behaviors from safety incidents, near misses, audits.
• Develop critical checklist.
• Establish measurement system.
• Carry-out behavioral observation. BBS Program
• Deliver feedback.
• Make use of data.
• Set improvement goals.
General BBS Notes:
• No name no blame.
• System depend on sampling techniques.
• alone can’t change the culture but you
can change someone’s behavior.

• BBS is everyone’s responsibility.

Design BBS Team:
initially design a BBS team consists of:
• management members.
• frontline employees
those involved in the BBS system shall be competent
enough and have the basic knowledge about the system ,
its objectives & application.
 Choose Target Behaviors:
Define target behaviors that shall be completely assessed
• target operations & tasks shall be determined.
• data from incident investigations, near miss reports, ill-
health reports, safety audits could be utilized.
Develop Critical Checklist:
Checklist shall include:
• target operations & tasks shall be determined.
• the list can be shortened according to the importance of safety ,
frequency of occurrences .

• the list shall be in one paper.

• the list shall be revised many times before it considered ready to
use.
Establish Measurement System:
behaviors measuring system shall be in place to
evaluate any behavior.
• the measurement system for an observation program is simply
the frequency count of safe & risky behaviors during an
observation.
Carry-out Behavioral Observation:
the detailed process for performing the observation.
• consider who will conduct the observation & data shown that most
beneficial system is to have all employees involved in the observation
process.

• behavioral observation increase the commitment to safety for both

observer and observed.

• organization shall encourage employees to observe each other to gain

most of the system.

• the organization shall define the frequency of observations to be

performed.
Deliver Feedback:
feedback is any information about performance that
allows individuals to adjust their performance.

• it's the most important piece of the BBS system.

• if feedback did not performed during the BBS so we have a
“missed opportunity”
Deliver Feedback:
feedback shall be delivered to define strengths &
weaknesses
• the observer shall summarize the observation process conducted
showing any positive safety behaviors & area requires further
improvements.

• the feedback shall performed as soon as possible after the

observation unless finding risky behavior that requires immediate
action.

• overall site feedback shall be delivered for the management for

any corrective actions required.
Use The Data:
use the data collected for further system improvements

• use the data collected and communicate it with all employees.

• use the data to carryout any necessary changes to system,
operation, training to improve the safety performance.

• apply the “no name no blame” concept during data usage.

Set Improvement Goals:
the organization shall reflect the behaviors observation
data to set new goals or objectives.
• employees shall be encouraged to participate in the BBS system.
• the set goals shall be SMART.
• e.g: increase wearing of safety goggles from 80% to 100%.
BBS Cycle:
Before Conducting The observation:
• decide to go out to observe.
• target a location or a crew.
During The observation:
• focus on specific task or target routine activity of concern.
• stay few steps away from person being observed.
• observe and record only actions that you see.
• ask yourself if equipment utilized are adequate and well handled.
• ask yourself if procedures are adequate and being followed.
• inspect or check permits or relevant documentation.
After The observation:
• immediately provide positive feedback to reinforce safe actions
observed.

• ask co-workers if they mentioned any safe behaviors you not observed.
• describe your concern or improvement opportunities for your co-
workers for their wellbeing.

• discuss and explore better alternatives or solutions.

• appreciate them for their time.
• record your observation and feedback on the BBS system.
why we should give feedback?
What You Have To Do In Case Of
Unsafe Behavior?
in case you mention unsafe behavior that could result in an
imminent danger you shall coach the employee on the safe
behavior to perform activity.

• keep calm.
• Use “I” language.
• don’t personalize.
• reflect feelings or emotions that go beyond words.
• focus in problem solving.
• talk about the behavior not the person.
• no blame.
• find common ground.
Unsafe Behaviors RCA:
the organization shall apply root cause analysis
techniques to define the root cause of any reported
unsafe behavior to prevent recurrence.
• brainstorming.
• five why technique.
• fault tree analysis (FTA).
Brainstorming:
brainstorming is one of the primitive techniques used in
RCA and it includes:
• identify the unsafe behavior.
• encourage the team to demonstrate their ideas.
• include all levels and relevant disciplines in the brainstorming.
• collect all ideas from the brainstorming.
• evaluate ideas and build a consensus.
Five Why:
five why? is a technique used to define the root causes
for unsafe behaviors using “WHY”
• start with the unsafe behavior needs to be studied.
• keep asking why until you reach pointless.
• this technique can be utilized during brainstorming meetings.
• the team competency will affect the technique output.
Fault Tree Analysis (FTA):
an advanced failure tracing technique that can be used
to define the root causes for any observed unsafe
behavior
• identify possible combinations for the observed unsafe behavior.
• construct downstream tree for all collected combinations (AND &
OR gates).
 BBS System In-brief:
• identify any observed safe & unsafe behaviors.
• list the consequences for any observed unsafe behavior.
• evaluate the consequences with your risk matrix.
• apply the RCA techniques to define the observed unsafe act root
causes.

• develop your recommendations to prevent recurrence.

• re-examine the impact of your recommendations on the observed
unsafe behavior.
Exercise
 Exercise
An operator required some goggles, a frequently required
item, which was stored on 4m high shelving. The operator
in order to access the box of goggles used a ladder which
he lent against the shelving. Once he had climbed the
ladder he found that the box he required was just out of
arms reach and so leaned across to reach the box.

what are the safe & unsafe behaviors that could

arise?
 Exercise
A welder is provided with an assistant to hold items in place during
the welder carries out his job. You observe that, although the assistant
is wearing goggles, he is looking at the arc. You are aware that many
such assistants have suffered with ‘Arc Eye’.
You talk to the assistant and ask why he looks at the arc. He replies that
he has to keep his eye on the job to ensure that the joint is tight and level
to prevent the joint from parting or being uneven. That is the reason the
Welder has an assistant, as they are unable to make judgements about
welds easily because of the welding shield they wear.
what are the safe & unsafe behaviors that could arise?
Thank you!
Any questions?