Posted By Philip McAleenan
Michael,
in responding to a colleague on the the issue of KPIs I searched through my files and came across the following which I had posted on this forum some years back. It has relevance I believe baecuase it turns the process on its head and asked managers to measure positive outcomes rather than negative ones. I have used the example of confined spaces training to illustrate, but any area of operational managemnt can be monitored and performances measures in the same way,
BS8800, a Guide to occupational health & safety management systems, simplifies the process. It talks about setting targets which “are the detailed performance requirements that should be achieved by designated persons or teams in order to implement the [OH&S] plan. The plan should specify who is to do what, by when and with what result”.
Thus a key objective may be that all confined space entry workers are trained, assessed and certified fit and competent to use RPE within 6 months.
The results or outcomes expected will be documentation of who has been trained, when it took and the assessment results, including certificates.
A plan will be drawn up to achieve this objective and within that plan will be targets such as:
1. prepare a list of all those to be trained,
2. obtain evidence of medical and physical fitness to use RPE,
3. schedule training dates,
4. appoint trainer/assessor,
5. notify all listed employees of training dates,
6. provide training venue, equipment etc.
7. carry out training and assessment,
8. obtain assessment documentation & certificates,
9. review the outcomes and prepare any necessary remedial actions (e.g. where one or more failed any element of the fitness or assessment procedures).
Thus we can see that by setting a clear objective or standard, namely that all confined space workers are fit and competent to use RPE, the performance requirements to achieve that objective follow. And by monitoring each performance requirement in turn we can effectively measure progress towards achieving the key objective.
And of course once the objectives has been achieved, a new objective can be agreed, for example, maintain the level of competence and fitness to use RPE amongst all confined space workers, and corresponding targets to achieve this drawn up.
Regards, Philip