Member Article

A Unique Approach to Safety

Potentia Safety Solutions is a North East-based safety performance consultancy on a mission to bring its unique approach to safety to organisations across the region. Potentia specialise in People-Led Safety; an approach to achieving safety excellence by focusing on the many people-factors that influence the safety performance of an organisation, e.g. supervision, perception of risk, bad habits and communication etc.

Potentia was set up last year by Tony Pattison, Managing Director who operated as an external safety consultant for seven years - mainly in the Oil and Gas industry - where organisations are now beginning to see the benefits of this approach to risk management.

Potentia provides all of the traditional HSE consultancy services that you would expect, such as risk assessments, policy formulation etc. but what sets them apart is their holistic approach to safety management. “Human error is a recognised factor in most incidents, either causing the incident or failing to manage it effectively. Therefore, our Safety Performance Coaches apply a blend of psychological and behavioural theory with traditional risk management techniques in order to influence people to behave safely. We focus on people: their beliefs and values; these are what shape our attitude and drive our behaviours”, said Tony Pattison, Managing Director.

In order to understand the safety culture that exists within an organisation, the safety performance coaches spend a period of time observing every-day activities and interactions, identifying behaviours, beliefs, attitudes and conditions that are present. A coaching plan for change is then developed and executed by the coaches in order to embed new safety behaviours, targeting coaching at the level that is required within the organisation.

Potentia also help the workforce understand the psychology behind their safety-related behaviours and the impact that they can have.

“The management team are particularly important in embedding change; they are the people that lead the organisation and must lead the change. Ultimately, management’s attitudes and behaviour influence many aspects of safety behaviour. Much of our time is spent with them. We help them realise the impact that their own attitudes and behaviours have on safety and assist them in setting new standards for what is normal through their own demonstrable behaviours. We give them the skills to enable them to manage safety more effectively, leading by example, demonstrating safety as a value, communicating effectively and setting expectations”, Tony added.

For further information visit:

www.potentia.uk.com

Or call: (0191) 229 9515

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tony Hawkins .