Process Transformation in Occupational Safety

From a Reactive Approach to a Proactive Safety Culture

The transformation of processes in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) is a natural stage of development for large industrial enterprises. During the webinar, the speaker examines the journey of Metalloinvest, which transitioned from a classic reactive model to systemic risk management. Historically, the HSE function was subordinate to production verticals, leading to the prioritization of production metrics over safety. Separating HSE into an independent vertical became a key step in changing this situation.

Change Strategy: Factor Analysis and Phased Goals

Instead of the unrealistic goal of "zero fatalities here and now," the company developed a strategy for a phased reduction of fatal and severe injuries by 20% per year. The speaker demonstrates by example how diagnostics and factor analysis helped identify real problems and justify resources for the transformation. Forming a team of specialists with experience in leading companies ensured an influx of best practices and tools.

Key Areas of Transformation

The change strategy is based on three major blocks:

• Technological Safety: Implementation of targeted programs (gas, energy, and transport safety) based on the analysis of past incidents. For example, purchasing personal gas detectors and collecting data from them to identify hazardous areas.
• Enhancing Safety Culture: Cascade training of managers in best practices, changing the training format with a focus on risk identification. Enshrining the employee's right to refuse unsafe work in the cardinal rules.
• Incident Prevention Using Digital Technologies: Using video analytics to monitor PPE compliance, identifying personnel in hazardous zones, and monitoring hydraulic structures using sensors.

Cross-Functional Approach to Safety

The presentation details a cross-functional approach where the plant's managing director acts as the change leader. The HSE function is transforming, reducing the time spent on standard operations. HR assists in training risk managers, the procurement department accelerates PPE supply processes, and the IT vertical implements mobile applications to facilitate employees' work.

What you will learn from this webinar:

• How to justify the need to separate the HSE function into an independent vertical?
• Why unrealistic injury goals do not work and how to set achievable KPIs?
• How to implement a risk-oriented approach at a manufacturing enterprise?
• Which digital tools are most effective for incident prevention?
• How to organize cross-functional collaboration to enhance safety culture?