Injury Prevention: Developing a Culture that Supports and Sustains the Observation Process
Authors: Reavis C. , Able P. , Johnson G. 
Published: December 2007

Stepping, handling, and lifting injuries have historically been the most common types of injury at Schlumberger. An injury prevention program was implemented in 2001 that centered around six techniques to improve body mechanics. If trained personnel properly used these techniques, the number and severity of injuries could be dramatically reduced.

Following the program introduction and personnel training, there was not a significant reduction in accident frequency in all operating areas. It became obvious that techniques alone were not delivering the desired results. Success required a change in attitude and behavior to develop a sustainable culture of observation and intervention.

Successful implementation of the observation and intervention process depended on several key factors. Management was actively involved by observing, communicating, and intervening with all levels of the organization. Eventually, employees took ownership of the program. Employee training was not delivered in the standard classroom lecture format. Rather, the training was designed to engage the participants in discussion and activities that lead to self-discovery. Role-playing and exercises were used to build an atmosphere of teamwork among employees.

Results were enhanced by two additional factors: client management and incident investigation. Client management became involved in the wellsite observation process. This raised the visibility level and degree of importance, while extending the potential area of influence beyond one working group. Incident investigation and observation information were used to identify the most frequently reoccurring and at-risk tasks. Using this data, the specific and potentially high-risk work activities were targeted.

Introduction

In the 1980s, Schlumberger recognized that stepping, handling, and lifting injuries occurred with common frequency. The most costly in terms of lost time and dollars were back injuries. Various vendors were contracted to provide training and practical techniques for field and office employees to use. While this provided a first step, the results soon flattened and a new solution was sought. The evolution continued with the selection of a vendor that provided instructor certification and a number of body mechanical techniques for practical application by employees. This relationship flourished for nearly 10 years, as the implementation spread globally across the organization. Once again, it became obvious that a plateau had been reached and change was needed.

A unique internal training process was developed that focused on situations and activities specific to the work environment of Schlumberger people. The Schlumberger Injury Prevention Program (SIPP) supplied six body mechanical techniques that could be easily adapted and applied across the wide range of conditions experienced by our people around the world:Line of StrengthSide SteppingSafe Working ZonesSmart GripWatch Your HeadBracing and Spinal Alignment.

Two additional tools were included in the injury prevention program: Step Back 5×5 and Pinch Points. Conditions often change in the middle of an operation and the Step Back 5×5 concept provided a means for employees to take time to reevaluate a situation. Fingers and hands are frequently injured when caught by the materials being handled. The Pinch Point concept was used to not only heighten awareness but also identify commonly occurring traps.