Abstract
The Linde Group's history spans over 130 years. From its beginning during the industrial age to the present technology era, this company's inventive spirit has resulted in advancement in innovative process and engineering solutions. Throughout its development, Linde experienced a decline in industrial accidents, which was the general trend for the industry, as laws and regulations legislated against poor standards and performance. The improving trend was further accelerated by advances in technology, board of directors' rule-making, and higher level of safety awareness by workers. Just like its peers and competitors, Linde finds its overall safety performance improving year on year, however, the rate of severe injury and fatality accidents has not reduced significantly. A different approach was needed to re-energise the effort and consider new, sustainable ways to improve our safety performance.
The Engineering Division of Linde has adopted a behavioural based safety approach through its BeSafe Program, which will lead the process of cultural change that engages the whole organisation in taking responsibility and personal ownership for safety. The Bradley Curve, effectively deployed by Du Pont, defines this cultural shift taking place over three stages, dependent, independent and interdependent. To reach interdependent stage, requires the organisation to move from a culture of control and compliance to one that allows greater freedom for individuals to control their own safety performance, given the right mix of skill development, process and performance goals.
The Linde Engineering BeSafe Program comprises of the following elements.
BeSafe Leaders – a group of committed senior managers that define the process and performance goals for their teams. BeSafe Leaders have undergone 2 day in person training with professional coaching trainers.
LeadSafe Coaches – operational managers and supervisors who have undertaken an e-learning program, consisting of a series of modules, called LeadSafe. The training involves video demonstration of coaching practice including post module exercises.
BeSafe Activities, Tools and Processes – is based on safety events and activities that promote visible leadership and active participation in and commitment to implementing safety standards at the highest level.
BeSafe Performance Indicators – are key performance indicators that measure the participation rates, performance and evolution of individual sites and the organisation as a whole. Data collected from monthly reports is used to recognise and reward high safety performance and participation.
The BeSafe Program promotes the right balance of Linde's Visible Leadership Competencies with a coaching style that will transform the organisation from the independent to interdependent stage on The Bradley Curve, a shift necessary to demonstrate world class safety performance.
