An observer such as Qualls, who works in the melt shop, might watch someone in the warehouse and not understand the job that's being performed. Or an employee with little experience might observe another with more seniority. They were asking me to do an observation on an employee that's been here 30 years, and I know nothing about his job. But we're not looking at his job. We're just looking at these behaviors.
Observers become more aware of their own safety.
Some also take what they've learned at the mill home with them. Baker once noticed that some cupboards left open at home were a hazard, so he closed them. Each observer makes at least two observations a week. Qualls says his supervisor lets him take time from his job to make his observations. Super visors realize they also benefit from having better safety records in their departments.