Learning from Normal Work - Operational Learning

This new initiative at our Minneapolis, MN location focuses on observing work and understanding the difference between how we think work is done vs how the work is actually done.

Written by Robert Erion, EHS/Project Manager, Olympic Steel - Minneapolis, MN

Olympic Steel puts Safety First - Always. And our Minneapolis, MN teams are continuing to lead the way through their continued implementation of Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) techniques - most recently, with the introduction of Operational Learning through Learning from Normal Work, beginning with supervisors and managers in the Operations Department.

NORMAL WORK

This new initiative, Learning from Normal Work, is asking our operations supervisors and managers to spend a little more time on the production floor to observe “normal work”. By watching how work gets done with real-time modifications employees make to help complete their work successfully, the supervisors and managers can start to understand the difference between how we think work is getting done versus how the work is actually being completed.

“We first introduced this methodology to our front-line operations leadership because they already spend a lot of time on the production floor. Usually they’re addressing one or more specific tasks/issues at a time, though, so implementing Learning from Normal Work is asking them to simply observe what’s happening for the sake of understanding how things are done – not associated with a specific task or issue.” says Robert Erion, EHS/Project Manager and the lead for the HOP implementation in Minneapolis.

Controlling identified hazards is not enough to keep the risks as low as practically possible. People often adapt to constraints in a way that allows for completing the task without incident. This is called normal work. These adaptations are a source of both success (no incident) and failure (incident). Identifying constraints without an incident requires a different way of thinking about what caused the incident. A new approach is needed to understand how people adapt, what they adapt to, and how it affects risk.

Using an inquisitive mindset and asking questions about their observations will assist them in Operational Learning.

MANAGING RISK

Having zero incidents does not mean your risk is sufficiently managed. When there are fewer incidents or near misses reported, the less insight managers have into what is going on. Safety is co-created by different people in the organization and the overall risk level depends on all employees - operators, safety, operations, facilities, and any others who contribute in various ways.

Implementing Learning from Normal Work allows employees and managers to operationally learn how work is completed on a regular basis. The information from these observations and conversations creates opportunities for everyone to have their voice head and to be part of creating a safer, productive and enjoyable work environment.

QUESTIONS?

If you’re interested in learning more, please reach out to Robert Erion, Safety and Project Manager at Robert.Erion@olysteel.com or internal extension 71444.

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