Director's Day as an HSE Specialist: How a Leader Changed Safety Culture in 8 Hours a Week

From Formalism to Real Safety: When a Leader Steps onto the Shop Floor

The traditional approach to HSE often comes down to signing reports and monitoring compliance with instructions. However, real changes in safety culture begin when company management gets personally involved in the process. In his presentation, Elvir Ilyasov, Head of Production Safety at Stroytransneftegaz, examines an unconventional approach to engaging the company's top executive in HSE issues. The speaker uses an example to show how the "Director's Day as an HSE Specialist" initiative can transform employees' attitudes toward their own safety and change established behavioral patterns on a construction site.

How to Overcome Resistance and Approach "Difficult" Employees

One of the key problems in production is the formal attitude of workers toward safety rules. The speaker notes that people often break rules not out of ignorance, but because they do not believe these rules are written for their protection. The presentation details an example of interacting with an employee who systematically committed minor violations and refused to cooperate. An informal approach and the ability to find common ground made it possible not only to change this worker's attitude toward feedback but also to turn him into an active supporter of safe work, who now explains the rules to newcomers himself.

"Safety Day" Practice: Tools and Results

To solve the problem of hidden micro-injuries and low PPE usage (only 70%), a concept was proposed where the director dedicates time weekly to working "in the field." What did this yield in practice?

• Personal example from management: A director in workwear, regularly communicating with crews, inspires more trust. This breaks down the barrier between management and workers.
• Prompt problem-solving: Identified shortcomings (e.g., broken lockers or fogging safety glasses) were eliminated in a few days, not months. Purchasing anti-fog sprays and new lockers showed workers that their problems are genuinely being addressed.
• Implementation of digital tools: Using QR codes to report violations and chatbots to quickly transmit information to repair crews significantly accelerated the hazard elimination process.
• Gamification and positive motivation: The "Safe Shop" competition with a challenge cup and public appreciation for following rules created healthy competition and shifted the focus from fear of fines to a desire to work safely.

As a result of implementing these practices (in the real case, the director began dedicating 3 hours daily to walkthroughs), it was possible to significantly reduce the level of micro-injuries and increase staff engagement.

Technology and People: Balance for Systemic Safety

The speaker emphasizes that digital tools, such as the "Pocket Neo-Audit" chatbot (which provides recommendations for workplace improvement based on a photo), are effective only in conjunction with live communication. Reducing formality, using clear examples (analyzing real injury cases instead of dry instructions), and adapting rules to workers' realities (e.g., audio versions of instructions) help make safety a conscious value rather than an imposed obligation.

What you will learn from this webinar:

• How to convince management to personally participate in production site walkthroughs?
• What informal methods help reach workers who systematically violate rules?
• How to organize feedback collection from workers using QR codes and chatbots?
• How to quickly respond to employee requests and turn their ideas into real improvements?
• How to shift the focus from a system of fines to positive motivation and gamification in HSE?