Current Safety Performance
Before we can determine if a discrepancy is caused by a lack of knowledge, skills or abilities (KSAs), we need to observe, analyze, evaluate and accurately describe the employee's current safety performance.
For example, we might describe a safety performance discrepancy as, "failure to perform proper lockout/tagout procedures."
If, in our analysis, we discover employees demonstrate a lack of KSAs, then training is the answer. Non-training actions are most likely not appropriate.
It is wise to assume that a new employee in your organization requires comprehensive safety training. To find out if they meet your standards, test what they know and can do. If they need training, give it to them before first exposure to hazards. Experienced current employees may only require training on new procedures or machinery. Again, if in doubt, "test them out!"
If you discover employees demonstrate adequate KSAs, training is likely not the answer. It is appropriate to use non-training corrective strategies to improve performance levels.
For instance, discipline may be appropriate if an employee demonstrates adequate KSAs but has made the decision not to perform safely. However, discipline may still not be appropriate because a root cause analysis may uncover one or more system weaknesses that has contributed to the unsafe behavior. Remember, if the system fails the employee, first fix the system!
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-3. Before we can determine if a discrepancy is caused by a lack of knowledge, skills or abilities (KSAs), we need to observe, analyze, evaluate, and _____.
You forgot to answer the question!