Page 17 - Suncor 360

15

MAY 2014
360

“We have all had those jobs that seem like a “My job is making sure that everyone at

routine task, and we don’t take the time to Firebag is safe, productive and eficient,”
think about the how old slippery shoes, an Niaz says. “And that is something we all
THERE IS A RIGHT WAY AND
unsteady ladder, icy surfaces, or even trying take very seriously.”
WRONG WAY TO DO AN FLRA
to do a two-person job alone could lead to a
THE WRONG WAY
signiicant injury,” says Colin Foley, VP, FLRAs are a big part of that.
Little or no conversation between
environment, health & safety.
the people doing the FLRA
Niaz says at Firebag, supervisors now sign off
THE RIGHT WAY
Colin is quick to say that by assessing on each FLRA at every break – so about three The leader veriies that people
times a day. “We know that in 99 per cent
understand what they will be doing,
potential hazards and putting appropriate why and that they have the right
controls in place before the job starts, we of our incident investigations it’s the failure
to identify a hazard that is the root cause,” knowledge and experience to do it.
can help avoid incidents.
explains Niaz. “This means that if we are CORRESPONDING OPERATIONAL
Enter Suncor’s own Field Level Risk more diligent in identifying hazards using DISCIPLINE BEHAVIOUR
Seek knowledge and understanding
Assessment (FLRA). This tool helps to FLRAs, we will improve safety.”
identify potential hazards before the work
THE WRONG WAY
starts – a critical, but often missed, step at He is the irst to admit that doing FLRAs in this
new way is a culture shift for workers – but it’s No review of the procedure to be performed
home and at work.
THE RIGHT WAY
been well received. Niaz and the other leaders Procedures are reviewed to ensure they are
Says Colin: “We all have a role to play in have found that showing the right way to do
adequate and accurate.
hazard identiication and control at home FLRAs has improved safety performance.
CORRESPONDING OPERATIONAL
and at work. Take time to do it right, your
“By showing this continuous improvement, DISCIPLINE BEHAVIOUR
safety is worth it.”
Adhere to procedures
workers have really bought into it,” says
FLRAs – what are they anyway?
Niaz. “They know that collaborating, THE WRONG WAY
seeking knowledge, and understanding Risks identiied are not investigated
Suncor has been using FLRAs – sometimes
called Field Level Hazard Assessments – for and using a questioning attitude to surface THE RIGHT WAY
problems and expecting accountability is During the FLRA, people raise concerns
a number of years. Think of them as the about risks and hazards.
what it takes for us to improve.”
inal check conducted by workers involved CORRESPONDING OPERATIONAL
in a task to identify hazards and Or, put another way, they are starting to DISCIPLINE BEHAVIOUR
Use a questioning attitude to
mechanisms to control risks. Workers ill understand that our operational discipline
out the short form and answer yes or no to behaviours make a difference. That is music surface problems

a series of questions about each job. They to the ears of Barb van Noord, our director of
also need to write down any identiied Operational Excellence Management System.
THE WRONG WAY
The FLRA is not properly completed
hazards along with the action they will take
to eliminate the risk.
“I think it’s pretty obvious to everyone that THE RIGHT WAY
Leaders spot check FLRAs to ensure
there is no way we can write every they are effective.
“This is a tool to refocus you on the task procedure for every situation that can keep
and break some potential at-risk behaviours CORRESPONDING OPERATIONAL
everyone safe 100 per cent of the time,” DISCIPLINE BEHAVIOUR
like rushing, frustration, complacency or says Barb. “That is why these ive Expect accountability

fatigue,” says Colin. “The FLRA helps you behaviours are so important. If we do these
take a step back and look at all of the behaviours consistently, we do the right
THE WRONG WAY
potential hazards and put controls in place thing the right way every time and that is No review of the FLRA by supervisors
to not only protect you and your how we can keep each other safe.”
THE RIGHT WAY
coworkers, but also to think about the Experts in the tasks to be performed
most eficient way to get the job done and Barb says it’s important to understand how are engaged.

identify the right tools for the job.”
the behaviours it into the Operational CORRESPONDING OPERATIONAL
Excellence Management System and DISCIPLINE BEHAVIOUR
One of the biggest fans of using the FLRA Collaborate
operational excellence. “I think people are
is Niaz Ahmed, director Firebag starting to piece all of this together and are
construction. Niaz knows his job is a big
seeing the connection,” she says. “OEMS THE FIVE STEPS TO A
one, and doing FLRAs the right way all the needs the behaviours so we can get to FIELD LEVEL RISK ASSESSMENT

time is critical.
operational excellence.”
Stop, step back and observe
Think through the task
Assess hazards, pathways, impacts

Review and document indings
Talk it through and complete the task