Operational Production Risk Management – The Evolution of Safety Mentoring

The Evolution of Mentoring: From Theory to Practice in the Workplace

Developing a safe production culture requires not only creating multi-level HSE management systems but also ensuring their effective practical application. In his presentation, Andrey Khokhryakov, Safety Culture Development Program Manager at Salym Petroleum Development, shares his experience in implementing a mentoring program for Operational Production Risk Management (OPRM). The speaker explains why traditional training and control methods are often insufficient for forming sustainable safe work skills, especially among new work supervisors and contractors.

The problem is that the volume of information a new employee must absorb is enormous. Tools for organizing safe work can seem cumbersome and incomprehensible without practical skills in using them. The OPRM program is designed to solve this problem by shifting the focus from classroom training to direct support and additional training of personnel right on the work sites.

What is OPRM and How it Differs from Traditional Control

The OPRM program is based on the Assist & Assure concept — a combination of mentoring and control directly during the work process. An OPRM mentor does not replace the function of an HSE engineer and does not have the administrative authority to impose fines. Their main task is to help, guide, and correct the actions of the crew, identify areas for growth, and develop both the technical and leadership competencies (soft skills) of work supervisors.

• Deep immersion: The mentor spends four to six consecutive days with the crew, observing the full work cycle. This allows them to overcome the "tension" stage, where workers demonstrate socially desirable behavior, and see the real picture of operations.
• No punitive function: The absence of the threat of punishment helps build trusting relationships. Workers begin to openly discuss problems and ask questions without fear of admitting ignorance.
• Focus on habits: The mentor's goal is to form sustainable safe behavior habits, such as constant intervention when risks are identified and a willingness to ask questions.

Mentor's Tools: From "Seven Steps" to "Hazard Hunt"

The presentation details the arsenal of tools used by OPRM mentors to develop risk identification skills and proper work organization.

• "Seven Steps to Safe Work" Card: A practical prompt for the work supervisor containing open-ended questions to increase awareness during work preparation and criteria for effective briefing.
• "Hazard Hunt": A regular exercise to develop risk identification skills, conducted jointly with the workers. The speaker shows by example that this tool is applicable not only at complex production facilities but also in daily activities (for example, with hotel complex staff) to reduce micro-injuries.
• Leading Indicators Report: The results of the mentor's work are recorded in a report, which is discussed with all involved parties (work supervisor, supervisor, HSE engineer) to develop a shared understanding of areas for improvement.

What You Will Learn from This Webinar:

• How to bridge the gap between theoretical HSE knowledge and its practical application in the workplace?
• What is the fundamental difference between an OPRM mentor and an inspecting HSE engineer?
• How to build trusting relationships with a crew to identify real problems in work organization?
• What tools help develop risk identification skills in line managers and workers?
• How to evaluate the effectiveness of a mentoring program through leading indicators?