Environment, Health & Safety Manager

This paper examines the processes Bechtel Australia uses to foster the commitment of all employees and contractors to the company’s Zero Injury Philosophy. The overall strategy is to use a multi-pronged approach that targets senior managers, front line leaders and supervisors, and the workforce at large. There are four main components, starting with the Safety Leadership Workshop. Participants are taken through the theory and background of the Zero Injury Philosophy and then through a series of discussions and exercises aimed at building commitment and developing group and personal action plans. The second component involves the use of daily pre-start and weekly “toolbox ” safety talks. These are short, focused sessions held at the crew level and led by the supervisor, where safety is the primary topic. The third element is the formation of safety teams, focused on proactive identification of hazards and their removal. The final component is a behaviour-based safety program, using peer-to-peer observation and feedback. To increase ownership and commitment, all aspects of the program are open to input from all employees and the exact program that results will be unique to each site. The support of dedicated professional safety personnel on the project is also essential to success