The Behavioral Science and Technology (BST) program at PG&E is designed to change safety culture through personal safety ethic, leadership style, organizational culture and best practices. So far this year, Meri Issel, Director of Safety Culture, has conducted trainings with directors and superintendents across lines of business and is now scheduling training for department managers and first line supervisors. Going into 2015, the program will be introduced to field personnel and should be operational by the end of the year.
The BST program has many moving parts that require all levels of the organization to work in coordination with one another through independent working groups called Lines of Business Safety Councils. These councils will include electric operations, gas operations, energy supply, customer care, information technology and safety and shared services.
One aspect, called peer to peer technology, utilizes peer observers to observe workers doing work processes. Peer observations are called “no name, no blame,” are completely voluntary, and can be refused without repercussions. The information gathered goes to barrier removal teams — who identify any barriers to safe work processes or behaviors — and then on to the data management team, where the information is compiled. Finally, the steering committee uses the data to develop strategies to change the top 15-25 identified behaviors. More on this program will be forthcoming in the future.