RLG field conversation-card program: improving safety leadership at the frontline

Abstract

After a safety incident at RGL International’s client’s facility in 2012, the leadership team asked: how do we as leaders in a safety-centric industry interact with frontline workgroups to ensure incident-free operations? How often are we doing this? Where in our facility are we doing this? In response to these questions, the team developed the Field Conversation Card program, which employs simple pocket-sized cards and a visual map of the plant.

Data from the cards is recorded daily when supervisors and managers engage workgroups in the field, then overlaid onto a map (aerial view) of the plant. The product is a visual depiction of field safety conversations on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Each morning the map is assessed and the previous day’s conversations highlighted to identify key observations, risks, or trends worthy of discussion or action.

Field conversations often uncover safety risks and improvement opportunities. They also serve to showcase positive behaviours and successful risk mitigation by frontline workgroups. These positive observations lead to formal recognition and sharing of best practices.

The Field Conversation Card program has motivated supervisors more than ever to engage their teams at the frontline. Site leaders now have a better understanding of where and how often these conversations take place. Leaders also have a renewed sense of urgency regarding worker engagement. Each day the management team is sharing relevant, important experiences that come from these simple, but critical field interactions. The result is a work environment where safety leadership is highly visible and quick to respond to ever-changing needs at the frontline.