Is "Zero Accidents" a realistic goal?

S

samsung

#11
When something is bound to happen, even rarely, zero is not a reasonable objective. I think this is self-evident. This doesn't mean that you consider some unknown number of accidents "acceptable." You should be making an effort to reduce the number of accidents, and to do this you need to know about what causes them, and how the causes can be mitigated. It's like any other process--you need to understand the variation and the special causes. I strongly recommend against using workplace accidents and injuries as an objective because at some point the objective will work against you. You can mitigate risk without having a specific goal in mind.
Yes, if one has to have a target related to accident/injuries, it can be either to reduce the number of accidents as you said, or to reduce the Frequency/ Injury Rate which appear to be achievable.
 
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Jim Wynne

Staff member
Admin
#12
Yes, if one has to have a target related to accident/injuries, it can be either to reduce the number of accidents as you said, or to reduce the Frequency/ Injury Rate which appear to be achievable.
I hope that no one has to have such a target, but if you do, you have no way of knowing whether incidents can be reduced without understanding causes and what will be required to reduce the number. Management types are famous for establishing "zero x" objectives and then being unwilling to spend any money towards achieving them. They think that saying "We strive for zero lost-time accidents" will perhaps make them look good to insurance companies and potential litigants. Insurance companies and personal-injury attorneys aren't stupid, however, and what's needed is a conscientious ongoing effort to keep the workplace safe. "Due diligence," it's called. If you're doing due diligence, goals are superfluous.
 
D

DrM2u

#13
I have seen many companies setting a goal for achieving 'Zero Accident /incident' or 'Zero Machine Breakdown' and most of them end up desperately with no achievement on the score card at last. The unacheived goals, whatsoever, are carried forward with an objective to achieve those in the next f.y.

Is 'Zero Accident / incident' goal is realistic, worthwhile and appropriate given that anything above that will not be justifiable ?

Further, if is is not deemed 'realistic', what other options one can try out?
I have to go back to how I like to define goals: WHO does WHAT by WHEN and HOW WELL.:read:

From your posting I got the WHAT (safety or machine incidents) and HOW WELL (zero occurences) but I don't see the WHO and WHEN. If you tell me the WHO (company, department, employee) and WHEN (day, month, year, decade) then I can tell you if the goal is Realistic (at least in my opinion).:confused:
 
S

samsung

#14
I have to go back to how I like to define goals: WHO does WHAT by WHEN and HOW WELL.:read:

From your posting I got the WHAT (safety or machine incidents) and HOW WELL (zero occurences) but I don't see the WHO and WHEN. If you tell me the WHO (company, department, employee) and WHEN (day, month, year, decade) then I can tell you if the goal is Realistic (at least in my opinion).:confused:
e.g.; "The company xxx aims to achieve 'zero accident' status in its premises by December 2010 and will strive to maintain the status so achieved, forever."

Will it be realistic ?
 
S

SanAntonioBecky

#15
I think it is a realistic "vision" of what outcomes your site will strive for. Since your work processes are ongoing and don't have an exact end date (unlike a construction project which can have a "by when" answer and may see many zero accident projects), perhaps one should limit "Zero Anythings" to what workers themselves can control as in "Zero @ Risk Decisions" and "Zero Hazard Exposures due to Housekeeping w/in 20 ft of my workspace" ?

and how about "Zero Tolerance" for taking risks, allowing exposures to go unreported, allowing line managers to enforce production quotas before safety corrective actions? These kinds of Zeros have real day-to-day meaning IMHO.
 
D

DrM2u

#16
e.g.; "The company xxx aims to achieve 'zero accident' status in its premises by December 2010 and will strive to maintain the status so achieved, forever."

Will it be realistic ?
As a rule of thumb, never say 'never' or 'always' because no one can control everything in this world to ensure that. The objective or goal is definitely not realistic and questionably achievable as stated. It could be achievable and realistic if you end the sentence after '2010' but that depends on the shape the company is, the existing hazards, environment, etc.
 

Coury Ferguson

Moderator here to help
Staff member
Super Moderator
#17
Re: Is 'Zero Accident" goal realistic ?

I would base a goal about "time loss due to an accident" but keep it some what attainable. You will need to show improvement if this is a goal by choice. You can improve on the goal by initiating a good training program and incentives (monetary or other), in my opinion.
 
B

Belquez

#18
Here is my opinion:
First the goal is never to have a failure or an "accident". An accident / incident by definition is a failure but is the failure preventable?

Over long periods of time the goal of ZERO will never be met. Every system has opportunities for failures. Do you know of a 100% error free system or process that can NEVER fail? Impossible? 100% forever?

98% of all injuries are preventable. 2% are related to acts of God genetics and ergonomics (personal health). The 60 year old man who's body is worn out from poor wellness over weight and abusive life styles then claims his knees are worn out from walking on cement floors at work (not the fact that he is 100+ Lbs. over weight). 100% preventable but under the control of the employer?

So, the real questions are these. Prior to occurance of an incident did the organization take all reasonable steps to predict and prevent the incident? This 20+ year safety pro's hair on the back of my neck gets stiff when I hear a manager say "I knew that was going to happen sooner or latter" That is my opportunity for a serious heart to heart accountablitity discussion. "You are stating the incidnet was predictable "you saw it comming" and you did NOTHING more than wait and watch it happen? :mg:

A targetted reduction in severity and incidents frequency then key process metrics is more achievable than ZERO incidnets. Talk in the terms of preventable and predictable.

In the pure form every accident is preventable by avoudance - but the cold truth is every activity has some risk.

Most importantly; Humans make errors. Everyone. So any system that relies on a human to make a choice or take actions is open to error. (I have not met anyone who wanted to be injured or in pain)

Study 9/11 was the event predicatable? preventable?
You can not stop a sucidal bomber from killing themselves. You can set up barriers and reduce the severity of the incident to others. but they will kill themsleves and cause damage. Predicatable? Preventable?

Hope this helps?

Ken
 
S

samsung

#19
As a rule of thumb, never say 'never' or 'always' because no one can control everything in this world to ensure that. The objective or goal is definitely not realistic and questionably achievable as stated. It could be achievable and realistic if you end the sentence after '2010' but that depends on the shape the company is, the existing hazards, environment, etc.
If I end the sentence after 2010 and actually achieved it, what would be the next step as part of one's endeavour to further improve the process. If it is stable & predictable at that level, one's next objective will obviously be to maintain & sustain the level one has already achieved.
 
P

Polly Pure Bread

#20
If I end the sentence after 2010 and actually achieved it, what would be the next step as part of one's endeavour to further improve the process. If it is stable & predictable at that level, one's next objective will obviously be to maintain & sustain the level one has already achieved.
Another rule of thumb never says “someday” because someday may never come. That is the ‘T” of SMART. A goal is time-bound when you set a time limit or deadline as to when it has to be accomplished. All your goals should have a target date of completion. Without specific deadline you will have no sense of urgency, no reason to act today and take steps to get you nearer to your goals. The deadline also helps you plan out your activities and monitor your progress.

Since you achieved “zero” incident of accident already and being aware of your current situation, it will allow you to develop a better plan of action e.g. cheapest way to accomplish your goal. At least you know where you are and what you have. You can do improvements in a many ways.

Then, make it a habit so that it becomes natural as breathing.
 
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