Simplifying safe systems of work

SSI lives by its branding of ‘Creating Practical Workplace Systems’. We often come across clients whose processes have evolved into quite convoluted and sometimes confusing systems for the end-users. Overly complex processes can lead to disenfranchised employees and result in systems where safety is actually compromised rather than enhanced as personnel become frustrated and use non-approved short cuts or work arounds.

SSI has delivered a lot of work internationally. It’s in these situations we often see the greatest need to develop very clear, concise processes, documentation and tools as they are applied to nationals and expats alike, even though there is sometimes a vast difference in learning and comprehension styles.

Working with a Tier 1 large gold producer in Papua New Guinea SSI on-site, staff were engaged as Permit to Work (PTW) Coordinators/Trainers and Assessors/Mentors. Complementing this work, they introduced a number of tools and processes to ensure comprehension and competency for all employees. Some of this work specifically targets high risk work periods such as shutdowns where over 150 jobs are on the go and over 800 contractors onsite, whilst others have been implemented to address plant and task familiarity needs.

Some of the main tools/processes developed have been:

• Simplified process flows detailing key assets – addressing literacy issues
• Critical path task process flowcharts – identifying and assigning task steps to clarify critical work
• Shutdown planning process flow – explaining task sequencing to effectively and efficiently address simultaneous operations during high risk work periods
• A standard deviation process – effectively capturing and integrating task deviations during shutdowns to minimise downtime and disturbances to pre-planned work – since implementation deviations from the planned shutdown schedule have gone from 75 + to 5 on the last shutdown
• Process for maintaining current competency – ensuring adequate numbers of competent personnel are always on hand by scheduling of on-going competency checks, saving time and money re-training individuals with ‘expired’ competency

Feedback from members of the local workforce mentored and trained:

“The leadership quality and the skills are really awesome and outstanding”

“An outstanding job in leading and supervising team this far. To be honest, I personally have learnt a lot from you which really boosts my performance. You have outstanding supervisor role model skills which create a good working environment and I admire that.”

Feedback from client representative on the project as a whole:

“SSI have taken on a very challenging role and shown a high level of commitment to establishing process and also developing/mentoring the national team. The passion and drive for what we are doing is exactly what we need to make the difference up here.”

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