Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Embedding data and theory-driven safety behaviour change interventions to reduce incidents and fatalities
Aggregate Industries UK (AIUK) took part in a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the Psychology Applied to Safety and Health research group at Leeds Beckett. The KTP was part-funded by the Government through Innovate UK.
The Safety Voice KTP project was designed to develop and implement a structured Safety Behaviour Identification and Intervention Protocol (SBIIP). The SBIIP is reducing transport related incidents and worker fatality risk, and is informed by the belief that incidents with heavy plant/machinery arise as a result of avoidable human factors.
AIUK is at the frontline of construction and infrastructure industries in the UK, producing and supplying an array of construction materials. AIUK has more than 200 sites and around 3,700 employees across the UK. They are part of the Holcim Group, a global leader in building materials and solutions, operating across 70 countries worldwide.
We have designed and implemented a toolkit, using academic theory and models, which proactively identifies safe and unsafe behaviours within the business. This includes a step-by-step process for developing work system redesign - the way work is planned and conducted - and behaviour change programmes. This means AIUK can fully understand the underlying factors that influence their workplace safety and are putting in place strategies to prevent fatalities and reduce future incidents.
The Challenge
AIUK's strategic focus is to drive sustainable growth and 'to be recognised as the safest, most customer-focused company in the industry'. One of their key ambitions is to become a Zero Harm business. To achieve this, they needed the academic knowledge and expertise around psychology relating to safety and health in the workplace housed here within LBU
The aim of the KTP developed between Leeds Beckett and AIUK was to adopt accurate and tailored safety behaviour change interventions. This is not something which could be achieved by off-the-shelf consultancy services.
The Approach
The Safety Behaviour Identification and Intervention Protocol (SBIIP) was a two-year, complex, KTP. The KTP Associate, Laura Jackson, gained strategic buy-in from the outset through her regular attendance at AIUK's Executive Committee meetings, which led to her gaining substantial influence across the wider group.
The KTP applied academic theory and models to analyse incident data - using a Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS). HFACS is used in behavioural safety to analyse human performance and identify factors contributing to accidents, incidents, and errors within businesses with the aim of minimising future incidents. By systematically examining these factors, HFACS has helped AIUK understand the root causes of safety-related events, developing targeted interventions to improve safety performance and prevent future incidents.
This new approach to analysing data, has enabled AIUK to be self-sufficient in taking a scientific approach to the behaviours of people and make informed decisions, allowing the business to benchmark data and identify critical patterns over time.
The Impact
The impacts of the KTP so far have been substantial:
- Job created - KTP Associate Laura Jackson has been permanently retained by AIUK as Behavioural Safety Business Partner within their central Health, Safety and Performance team
- The KTP has been graded 'Outstanding' by Innovate UK - the highest accolade and recognition of the achievements of the project.
- An estimated post-KTP profit increase of £8.1m by year three
- Laura is continuing to study for her Masters by Research (MRes) degree at Leeds Beckett University
To achieve AIUK's ambitions, they needed the psychological expertise relating to safety and health in the workplace at Leeds Beckett. The targeted and tailored safety behaviour change interventions that we have developed are not something that could be achieved by off-the-shelf consultancy services.
The KTP has had a significant impact on safety culture at AIUK. I worked hard to gain trust with colleagues, and tactfully engaged stakeholders, to successfully instil core values, foster collaboration, and promote accountability. This has been a genuine 'bottom up' approach to zero harm strategy - and is the first step in a long-term shift in how we manage and prioritise safety in the workplace. I am now enhancing our strategic safety plan for 2024 onwards, which includes a structured approach to identifying, addressing and preventing unsafe behaviours and conditions.
Related links
Find out more
If you want to find out more about our Knowledge Transfer Partnership mentioned in this article then click the link to find out more.
