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Behavioural-based accident prevention process implemented at Cerrejón

Safety

Conducting behavioural observations is an integral element of Cerrejón's accident prevention process

In 1996, a behavioural-based accident prevention process was introduced at the Cerrejón coal operation (BHP Billiton 33.3% ownership) in north-east Colombia, South America. Implementation across all operational areas was completed in 1999. Since its introduction, the process has been undergoing continual improvement to improve safety performance.

Behavioural-Based Accident Prevention Process
The main objective of the behavioural-based accident prevention process (known locally by its Spanish abbreviation as the PPABC) is to change, in a systematic and progressive manner, employee at-risk behaviour into safe behaviour and to continually improve safety performance. Employee participation is the fundamental driver of the process; our employees own and coordinate its implementation and day-to-day activities, with the support of supervisors and management. The process begins with the identification of critical behaviours (those that have the greatest probability of causing incidents) through a survey conducted by line employees. Afterwards, these employees work out the best solution to prevent and control the critical behaviours identified. Then they initiate 'peer-to-peer' observations to collect data about the quantity and frequency of safe and at-risk behaviours and provide feedback to colleagues about their behaviour. Finally, employees conduct statistical analyses of the data collected to develop and implement continuous improvement plans and activities. To facilitate implementation of the PPABC, which required site-wide participation, a training program was developed and put in place for the 3000 employees and supervisors working at Cerrejón at the time. Each person attended training