Time vs. Risk
Learning Lite
Time vs Risk – Rolling the Dice
Since we lived in caves we have had the
temptation to cut corners or take
shortcuts. It’s part of our Programming.
It’s why we invented the wheel!
It’s part of our every day life.
We constantly work out how long
something will take; consider how that
might affect us or others and then make a
decision.
Time vs Risk – Rolling the Dice
Sometimes we don’t consider what we are
compromising in order to save time.
When it comes to safety, it is these
compromises that are causal links to
accidents.
Why is it important?
Understanding what Time vs Risk is
and why it is a behaviour based
safety principle enables us to make
better decisions and change how we
plan tasks and perform them.
So we have an opportunity to;
• Make our industry safer
•Prioritse safety
•Improve work plans
Why is this a principle of Behaviour
Based Safety?
Our behaviours are everything we do
and everything we say.
We strive for a balance between time
and risk
Our objective should always be limiting
risk and hazard exposure first
If saving time is more important to us
than the risk we could expose ourselves
to, then we need to look at how we plan
or do our work
Why do we do it?
People don’t take shortcuts with the intention of getting
hurt.
We know that sometimes;
• Hazards are familiar or forgettable, which affects our
perception of them
• There might be short term gain by ignoring
procedures
• Our colleagues may be leading by negative example
• There is greater (either perceived or actual) pressure
on delivery
• People just don’t know any different
Are you doing it positively? Some
examples…
You are if you;
• Choose to carry only what you can
handle even though it may take
more return trips
• Ask for help with lifting something
or wait until someone is free to help
• Use a ladder instead of a chair
• Go back to the equipment hut to
get the right tool or PPE rather than
“making do”
• Slow down when you see an
amber traffic light
So …. How to do it positively?
• Choose to prioritise safety over saving time
and work with your team to help them
make the same choice
• Offer help when you see someone
struggling, rushing or about to take a
shortcut
• Look at how your worksite / project site /
office is laid out and watch people work –
are they taking shortcuts?
• Consider introducing dynamic risk
assessments so people are encouraged to
think about the ‘risk’ aspect of a task
• Explain or re-brief colleagues to reinforce
positive behaviours and reduce the
temptation of taking a short-cut
Remember
• If you choose to save time at all costs
you or someone else may be harmed
• The quickest way is not always the
right way
• People’s perceptions of risks vary so
sense check and ask questions
• People may believe that they are
working correctly
• We can coach, mentor and challenge
our colleagues to encourage safe
working behaviours
So what did we learn?
•Sometimes we don’t realise what we are
compromising in order to save time
•Planning work and worksites with enough
time consideration, and using the correct
equipment reduces the temptation to take
shortcuts
•A fit for purpose rule or procedure is one
that can be adhered to without the need to
take shortcuts
•We have the right to expect rules and
procedures to be fit for purpose. If they
aren’t – challenge it!