Behavior-based coaching is essential for any mission to keep people safe. It’s human nature to get distracted or complacent on the job, and to deviate from performing the prescribed safe operating procedure (SOP). Plus, it’s easy for workers to overlook a safety hazard, especially when they are focused on a job challenge and in the flow of self-directed goal achievement. Systematic behavior-based observing and coaching from a peer can be invaluable to prevent personal injury. This is the primary mission of behavior-based safety (BBS).
The success of BBS hinges on implementing an effective behavioral-observation-and-feedback (BOF) process. The critical behavioral checklist (CBC) is an essential tool for a successful BOF session. As most readers know, a CBC is developed and customized from group meetings with a work team selected to define the safe and at-risk behaviors relevant to performing their jobs safely.