Behavior Based Safety In Drilling Operations
Authors: Miessner D.J. , Fleming Elizabeth , Loafmann Betty 
Published: December 2007

Drilling rig safety was enhanced dramatically by partnering with our drilling contractor to implement a behavior based safety process with emphasis on positive reinforcement. By identifying and targeting specific safe behaviors, we have reduced the number of acts that expose rig workers to the possibility of injury.

The process focuses on only three behaviors at a time. We observe these three behaviors and record the number of times that a behavior is done correctly in relationship to the total number of instances of the behavior. Observations are recorded daily on a graph in the work place. The graph gives the employees an opportunity to receive daily feedback on their progress. Emphasis is placed on using social positive reinforcers to increase the occurrence of the desired behavior. The frequency of the desired behavior increases until the behaviors are consistently done correctly and declared to be at "habit strength". The success of the process can be measured by the number of safe behaviors at habit strength.

Introduction

Behavior based safety is a structured, up stream approach to safety management that has significantly reduced the number of O.S.H.A. recordable incidents in our Michigan drilling operation. By positively affecting rig workers' behaviors, the number of exposures to injury has been reduced. The reduction in exposures resulted in a reduced number of actual incidents.

The drilling contractor's employees identify the tasks which expose them to risk of injury, pinpoint the specific behavior which exposes the worker to injury, and replace that behavior with a safe behavior. The rig crews focus on three safe behaviors at a time. They observe other members of the crew performing the target task, record the number of safe behaviors and positively reinforce each other for safe behaviors. A graph of the number of safe behaviors is updated daily to provide feedback to the drilling crews. When the crews do the safe behavior every time, that behavior becomes a habit. After the first three behaviors are at habit strength, the crews identify the next three behaviors to focus on. By replacing unsafe behaviors with safe ones, the opportunity for injury is greatly reduced, resulting in a safer workplace.

A structured approach coupled with a strong leadership role and a strong contractor partnership have made our process successful. The following is a road map of how the process was implemented in our Michigan drilling operation.

Owning The Process

Ownership is divided into two parts. A leadership team owns responsibility for the overall process. They are charged with providing training, resources, guidance and appropriate consequences, especially positive reinforcement for the individual rig safety management teams. The leadership team is comprised of the drilling contractor's manager, rig superintendent and safety representative; and the operator's drilling superintendent and safety representative.

Each rig has it's own rig safety management team. This team includes the rig's drillers, toolpushers, operator's representative and all members of the rig's crew. With all of the crew members as part of the rig safety management team, they share ownership of the safety process. Responsibilities of the rig safety management team include selecting appropriate behaviors, doing and recording observations, providing positive reinforcement to other crew members, maintaining a feedback graph, declaring habit strength and celebrating achievement.

Management Roles and Responsibilities.

The role of the management or leadership team was vital during implementation since they provide the resources and support required during implementation. Providing the tools and support demonstrated a commitment by management to implement behavior based safety. The behavior based safety process was a visible priority with the drilling contractor's management.

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