Value Driven SMS - Target ZERO

Target ZERO Program Implementation

Sam Harkins had the privilege of implementing the Target ZERO Program while serving as VP-EHS for Versa Integrity Group as a continuous improvement initiative and the company recognized a 33% reduction in workplace injuries and a 62% reduction in motor vehicle accidents.

Additional benefits included improvement work quality and productivity.

The Target ZERO Culture Program is designed to change how people look at safety, from rules and regulations to a positive and proactive choice they personally choose to make.

The purpose of the Target ZERO Culture Program is to elevate the level of awareness of safety by making it personal, relevant, and important. Employees that have participated in the Target ZERO Culture Program have experienced proactive changes in how they view safety which has impacted the choices and actions employees make regarding their safety, their coworker’s safety as well as the public.

Target ZERO Program Objectives

To take time out for each of us to examine our own relationship to safety.
To explore the contradiction regarding our personal safety.
To heighten the awareness of the risks we face day-to-day.
To build permission to “take care of” each other and to speak up when necessary to support the safety of those around us.
To leave all of us in action: focus on the things we can do that will make a difference for the safety of ourselves, our co-workers, our families, and those we care about.

Target ZERO Culture Program Components:

Target ZERO Workshop - The workshop is designed to impact attendees by participation in interactive discussion, exercises (group and individual), and sharing of experiences that leads them to ask “why” they chose to behave safely.

Target ZERO Leading Indicators - Defining, establishing, and reporting of leading indicators which shift the focus on the investigation of incidents that have already caused harm to people or property to identifying and reporting of situations that could put people and property at risk.

Leading Indicator Tracking and Trending - The tracking and trending of Leading Indicators provides leadership with insight as to what areas that the greatest exposure to personal injury and property damage exists. This insight allows leadership to put established safeguards and/or processes to prevent reoccurrences that will lead to more serious incidents.

Target ZERO Culture Recognition Program – Leadership’s development and implementation of an incentive program to encourage the reporting of Leading Indicators. This component of the Target ZERO Culture Program provides another message to employees that leadership supports and is committed by their willingness through incentivizing employee participation.

Target ZERO Workshop Testimonials:

"While serving as Chief Executive Officer with two industrial services companies, Sam Harkins served as my Vice President of Environmental, Health, and Safety and he led the implementation of a Target ZERO initiative. The Target ZERO initiative included a workshop that we required executive leadership, management, and field employees to attend. It was extremely rewarding to witness the health and safety culture transformation that occurred because of this workshop. In both organizations the culture evolved from requirement and compliance driven to a personal value culture where employees at all levels took ownership of their personal safety as well as their coworkers. We experienced “Best in Class” Health and Safety performance. which resulted in significant reductions in injuries and motor vehicle accidents."

Darryl G. Schimeck

Executive Partner

Emerald Lake Capital Management

"I was a leader in the Environmental Remediation and Hazardous Waste Processing business for thirty years (1990-2020). While serving as the Vice President of Operations for Veolia Industrial Services in 2015, I had the good fortune to work closely with our Vice President of Health and Safety, Sam Harkins.

In 2015, I witnessed and participated in the implementation of TARGET ZERO across all Operating Divisions of Veolia IS, led by Sam Harkins. TARGET ZERO soon became the best, most effective Behavioral Based Safety program I participated in over my entire career.

The level of engagement, by all employees, across all job duties/functions and experience levels was remarkable. It quickly became clear that the TARGET ZERO Program struck a personal cord with each employee and created the foundation for a culture where safety was truly a core value, not just a priority or requirement."

Allen W. Flath Jr

Vice President of North Region Operations

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