Holiday times approaching, pending vacations, family or personal concerns, changes in work areas, outage times, increased work loads, starting a new contract or a change to an existing contract…...all possible opportunities for your mind to be absent from your work. Behavior Based Safety directly attributes concerns with distractions and our moving centers that lead each of us to making unsafe decisions or even decisions that are completely out of character.

Our challenge is to focus our work efforts on the tasks at hand. Take time to gather your thoughts or take a “2 Minute” time-out to re-focus when necessary. Even more important is for each of us to be able to identify when a re-focus or timeout is necessary because our mind is not on what we are doing. Self-identification or peer checking is yet another way to get through times like this. It is important as a member of the BHI Team that you not only look out for yourself but to be your brother and sisters keeper.

This week’s Safety Topic is going to focus on workplace distractions and the challenges each of us face in this arena. Stay focused and Be Safe in your work areas!!

Let’s Get Focused

Last October, a 20-year-old college student died when a hydraulic lift he was standing on was blown over by strong winds as he videotaped an outdoor college football practice from high above the field and players. Following an investigation into the incident and death, report from OSHA determined that six safety violations occurred that contributed to the tragedy. At its heart, this case is a classic example of the constant need for vigilance when it comes to workplace safety in every employment situation. The student was doing his job that day as he stood some 39 feet above the football practice field on top of a hydraulic scissors lift to gain a good vantage point for his filming. But he wasn’t happy about the windy conditions in which he had to do his job last October 27th, and sent a message on his Twitter account to share his concerns about what he described as ‘terrifying’ weather. “Gusts of wind up to 60 mph today will be fun at work … I guess I’ve lived long enough,’” he wrote. The hydraulic lifts were designed to be used in winds below 28 mph, while weather forecasts that day included warnings for winds of 25 mph to 35 mph, with gusts of up to 45 mph. The student died when the lift he was standing on was blown over by a wind gust, throwing him to the ground from about 39 feet above the field.

The OSHA report said that the school didn’t provide proper training to employees in using the hydraulic lifts and failed to have the lifting equipment inspected on a proper schedule for more than a year. The lift also had not been regularly serviced and maintained according to the recommendations given by its manufacturer; also there was no operator’s manual kept on the lift. For the victim’s family, the pain of the events on that October day will never be completely erased. That’s why we all have to find some kind of lesson from this tragedy so it doesn’t happen again. If you or someone you love is asked to do something in your workplace that appears to be dangerous or life-threatening, then you need to thoroughly and completely discuss it with the person asking you to perform the dangerous task. You need to be sure that all safety procedures are being followed to the letter and that you are minimizing any and all risks to yourself and others. And if you still have concerns, then you need to discuss them immediately with others in the workplace until you get a satisfactory reply regarding safety and proper procedures.

Tony NazarCommunications Manager

Diversity Quote

“As long as the differences and diversities of mankind exist, democracy must allow for compromise, for accommodation, and for the recognition of differences.”

Eugene McCarthy

Poor Housekeeping

Just imagine how distracted you’d be if your office, workstation or work area is cluttered with stuff, unsorted files, bolts, screws, wires, food wrappers or other junk. Visual clutter can easily translate itself to mental clutter. Befriend the broom and sweep all those visual distractions before they do something nasty.

Be on the lookout for unsecured stuff around your work area that could present a hazard such as power cords, surge protectors, bags, or even lunch boxes not put in an out-of-the-way storage location. Tidy up those cables and make sure there is not too much electrical load on any given power strip or surge protector.

Remember, poor housekeeping says a lot about your attitude towards safety, quality, and production.

Mental Distractions and Inattention

Have you ever replayed in your mind unpleasant scenes from home while on the job? Perhaps something big happens to you this weekend and you’re anticipating its wonders while literally climbing on a ladder. Maybe one or two times you’re doing your job and you decide to have a little chat with a co-worker about the upcoming merger. No harm in that right? Think again. Take time to stop and to refocus on your work.

There is no harm in having a conversation with a co-worker, or even thinking ahead, but don’t lose sight of the task at hand. If you need to, take a quick break and then re-group before returning to your work. No thought or conversation is worth your own personal safety.

The Distraction of Time

The clock many times may influence the decisions that we make as to whether to do a job safely or to do whatever it takes to meet a deadline. Recognize that no job is so important that shortcuts should be taken and don’t fall victim to “Time Pressure”. Time pressure is not always imposed by our work or supervisors, many more instances are self imposed.

Adopt the attitude that working safely actually saves time.

Handle Distractions

There will inevitably be interruptions from time to time. Other activities taking place in your work area, telephone calls, PA’s to answer, co-workers communicating, or simply thoughts in your mind. Learn how to handle them efficiently, how to refocus, and how to get back to your task. If this means that you need to stop, then by all means put your work in a safe condition and stop long enough to get back on the track to success.

Be Responsible

Workplace distractions and interruptions are common, but remember it is your responsibility to keep your mind on the work activities you are performing.

Tell your supervisor about repeated and/or unsafe distractions and take responsibility for not interrupting or distracting others.

Work Stress

For many of us, there are several contributing causes to stress in our lives. There are outside influences such as home and family, just as well as there are things going on within our work environment that have the potential to create stress. Our ability to manage stress in the workplace can make the difference between success or failure on the job.

There are a variety of things you can do to dispel work stress. These are just some examples:

• Get Time Away. If you feel stress building, take a break. Walk away from the situation, gather your thoughts and re-focus on your work activity.

• Talk it Out. Sometimes the best stress-reducer is simply sharing your stress with someone close to you. The act of talking it out—and getting support and empathy from someone else—is often an excellent way of blowing off steam and reducing stress.

• Cultivate Allies at Work. Just knowing you have one or more co-workers who are willing to assist you in times of stress will reduce your stress level. Just remember to reciprocate and help them when they are in need.

• Find Humor in the Situation. When you or the people around you start taking things way too seriously, find a way to break through with laughter. Share a joke or funny story that will help set a mind at ease long enough to release some stress.

This week’s safety topic is on work distractions and staying focused on the task at hand, so where does this tie into Behavior Based Safety…….

Last week we looked at Values which is a component of our Centers. This is the area that will trickle down to our results and also influence the safe or unsafe decisions that we may make at work.

The key is to stay in the “Intellectual Center” and steer clear of the emotional, moving and instinctive centers. A difficult and sometimes daunting task but very critical for achieving our desired results.

Knowing and understanding what drives your decision making is the key…..predict it and we can prevent it!

Quality Work Performance pays Dividends at DC Cook

Dave Bartlett supports our Team at DC Cook as an Instrument Technician and has done so with high results that have clearly provided a cost savings to our client. A prime example of this came to us just last week from Andrew Kivela:

“I want to drop a line to say how impressed I am with the work that Dave Bartlett has been able to do for me this outage. He was a big part of getting the SAM-12s running at the beginning of the outage. Then he has been helping Greg with the portable instruments. Yesterday I showed him a bag of EDs that could be repaired when he had time. It would have taken me days to solder these EDs properly. Dave soldered all 65 EDs so that I can calibrated them and return them to service in one day. If we had sent the same EDs to Mirion for repairs it would have cost us $75.00 per ED for a total of $4875.00 in repairs. I would be happy to have Dave back anytime he is available and maybe we can get him in early for the next outage to help us.”

Great Job Dave!

Working Clear of the “Line of Fire”

On 10/19/2013, Snr. HP Amilcar was supporting activities with the SRV being removed from steam piping at Hope Creek. A part of this process was the need to take a reading from the inlet (bottom) of the suspended SRV. Identifying that going under the suspended load would have placed someone in the “Line of Fire”, Amilcar took a minute to determine the best approach to resolve the situation and plan was prepared.

By using a large set of channel lock pliers, Amilcar was able to extend the reach of the meter to the inlet of the SRV, staying clear of the suspended load and obtaining the necessary dose rate readings.

Way to stay in the “Intellectual Zone” and plan for success Amilcar!

Safety Milestone—Ginna

On 10/25/2013, the BHI Team supporting Ginna celebrated a major milestone. 10/22/2013 marks the One Year anniversary since the last OSHA Recordable Event at the station.

Their ability to stay focused on safety and deliver such high results at the station are an example for us all to learn from.

Great Job and stay focused on Safety as you set your sites on the 2 Year Anniversary.

Simple Facts:

The pump to the system was secure, however the residual system pressure was not releasedThe BHI Wind technician did not place his lock on the pump or personally validate the residual pressure was released.

Why is this significant?

Proper procedures were not implemented which resulted in a potential life altering injury.

Behaviors / Error Traps / Flawed Defenses / Latent Organizational Weaknesses Encountered:

• Complacency – The BHI wind tech and the client tech had performed this evolution together on multiple occasions, they were comfortable with each other and the work. The BHI Wind Technician did not apply his lock.

• Communications – The BHI wind technician inappropriately utilized verbal validation to ensure the stored energy in the system was released. Furthermore, that verbal communication was ambiguous and he assumed all was well.

• Stop When Unsure – When the unexpected condition of difficulty in hand loosening the second bolt was encountered, the technician did not stop and re-evaluate his condition. He had a “moment” where he considered something wasn’t right, but proceeded.

• Mind Set – The entire crew on this tower was looking forward to this relaxing assignment. It was supposed to be a day of relative ease, given they were not doing standard service and focused on being off for the weekend.

How could this have been prevented?

• Procedure Use and Adherence – Had this crew followed the roles and responsibilities for de-energizing a system, the following would have prevented the event:

• Multiple indications of system pressure were available but not referenced. An electronic read out of system pressure was available in the nacelle as well as the simple application of a mechanical gauge at the point of work (not installed). Had the BHI wind technician validated his assumptions using these available indicators, the system pressure would have been recognized.

• The BHI Wind Technician did not apply his lock to the pump. Had he done so, he may have observed the current system pressure and recognized the need to relieve the stored pressure.

• Had “work instructions” been available, on-hand and followed; the appropriate steps would have ensured the operational process to “ready the system”.

What are the lessons learned?

For the individual: Following procedures and protocols will raise your level of awareness and reduce your risk. They should be applied rigorously, every day. Hazards do not take a day off; neither should your awareness of them.

For leadership: Our client in wind is a subject matter expert. This does not excuse our leadership from being actively engaged in day to day safety.

Immediate Corrective Actions:

• Medical attention and follow-up for the injured employee• On-site response from senior BHI Leadership and BHI Safety• This communication and mandatory stand-down for BHI wind technicians following event• Site leads will validate work instructions are available and reviewed• Site leads will ensure BHI Wind Technicians sign LOTO procedures as the “Authorized User”, verifying the tech’s

understanding of how they are being protected.• Require the addition of a face shield when performing the initial breech of a flowable system