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Posted By John McFeely
Hi,
a quick poser for all those interested. In the Oil Industry we are presently leading in the iniative for Personal Responsibility for Safety (PRFS). Part of this includes Personal Accountability. Unfortunately there has been reports suggesting that Accountability is being used by certain Companies or Individuals as a negative tool by which they can intimidate people from reporting accidents/incidents and near misses. Has anyone experienced this or know of an example where those injured are afraid to report the accident, incident or near miss?
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Posted By Ron Hunter
It is important to differentiate between 'responsibility' and 'accountability' - these are not the same thing. Your Policy Statement should make this clear?
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Posted By Mark Talbot
I have investigated many events where perceived 'accountability' has made people reluctant to be completely candid.
The common usage of accountable is to be held liable to pay some sort of price albeit non-financial ... whereas responsible is to accept culpability.
This is a significant difference and I agree that an explanation of how you wish to use the terms would be useful in your document.
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Posted By Frank Hallett
Hi John - why are you apparently so surpised?
This kind of initiative has been around for many years, in many different guises; and not just in the oil industry either. It's a very good idea when used as intended to drive H&S towards improvements; but it is capable of being very easily used as a motivator to look good by persuading potential event reporters that the event of concern need not be reported.
For Contractors and the like it is an incredible de-motivator to report as it frequently ends up being used as a means of penalising the Contractor [and therefore their workforce] contractually - what chance of events being reported then, eh?
Frank Hallett
Frank hallett
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Posted By Alan Murphy
Back to your original question first John, one of the biggest reasons i have ever found for things not being reported is a blame culture. I was part of fully changing that management perception at my last company. The main problem was they would go to investigations immediately looking to blame the operator. But my favourite opening line is always. "we are here to investigate this incident not to aportion blame anywhere but to look at the failings from all parties that have contributed to the incident, and put measures in place to try to ensure it doesnt happen again" now that statement may sound so obvious but its amazing how hard it is to get people to embrace the concept.
I have heard of places where they have a system of amnesty for people reporting stuff but i am not sure about that or how it works.
As for accountability and responsibility i try to integrate it into all my policies because i am a firm believer of if these managers and supervisors know of their accountabilities and responsibilities they are more likely to help with the competent management of the policies. This is not a frightening tactic this is REALITY.
Back off my soapbox
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Posted By John McFeely
Thanks to everyone that responded. Unfortunately Accountability, although a great tool, is viewed by most employees as just another way of blaming the injured person. In my own experience the accountability training even leans towards this. Lets hope that Companys that use accountability do so in a positive manner, although I doubt it.
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