Case Study: Reducing Risk for Error and Increasing Productivity
Using the NAP™ Advanced+ and learning solutions reported the following results:
Background
- The mine manager of one of the biggest iron ore mines in the world wanted to reduce the occurrence of accidents and mistakes caused by human error.
A survey done by industrial psychologists confirmed that first-line truck drivers and crane operators experienced an increase in dangerous mistakes and accidents due to:
- fatigue
- absenteeism from work
- a negative mindset
Purpose of the project
- Find solutions to help individuals reduce their risk for human error related to mistakes and accidents;
- Reduce absenteeism;
- Find solutions to reduce fatigue;
- To explore the impact of the NAP™ assessment and Neuro Agility training on first-line truck drivers and crane operators as a solution.
Actions taken
- A Brain ergonomics assessment of the cabins in which the operators/drivers work, as well as the hostels where they sleep, was made to determine how humanized (brain-friendly) the cabins and hostels were. Appropriate brain-based measures were taken to humanize the inside cabins of vehicles and machinery and create hostels that are conducive to sleep and rest.
- NAP™ Advanced+ assessments were done on all operators, drivers, supervisors, and managers to determine how they process information and identify possible neurological hindrances and risk for human error during stress or fatigue.
- A NAP™ Teams report was created from the individual NAP assessments to determine general levels of fatigue and identify tendencies and patterns that need to be addressed in the business units.
- Leadership was trained to understand how fatigue and stress may cause neurological hindrances that will increase a person’s risk for error and cause mistakes or accidents. They were also trained in solutions to reduce fatigue so they could make appropriate decisions and introduce changes and actions to create an environment more conducive to health, safety, positivity, and productivity.
- Individual face-to-face NAP™ assessment debriefings were done with crane operators and truck drivers for them to understand themselves accurately and be aware of how their stress and fatigue levels and lack of sleep may cause possible neurological information processing hindrances and increase their risk for mistakes and human error.
- A Holistic, Brain-Mind Approach to Fatigue Management Program was designed and presented to first-line management, leadership, and workers. The NAP assessment served as the point of departure for the learning interventions as participants could refer back to their brain profiles to determine which fatigue solutions would apply to them personally to minimize neurological hindrances and reduce their risk for human error.
- Specific sequences of brain fitness techniques and activities that would prepare the neurological system for information processing and “switch it on” were designed for first-line operators to do every hour and a half during a shift. These activities were also made part of performance management criteria to ensure that they would be done regularly.
Results
- A significant decrease in fatigue-related mistakes and accidents, which directly impacts saving lives and preventing injuries was reported by internal industrial psychologists.
- A decrease in absenteeism of 24% which had a direct impact on productivity and performance.
- Behavior changes in mindsets of operators and truck drivers changed from a pessimistic to a more optimistic mindset, which directly impacted interpersonal relationships, company culture, performance, and wellness in the medium to long term.
- Increased performance and productivity at the end of this intervention were observed at an all-time high as more tons of iron ore were excavated. This resulted in a 14th check performance bonus of 4,5 times their monthly salary that was paid.
- A post-assessment was used to evaluate brain fitness levels, which improved by 20% on average.
- A 100% of first-line operators and drivers commented that the brain fitness techniques and activities contributed to decreased fatigue and improved focus.
- The intervention was rated as 87% by the Kirkmax assessment, which means that a highly commendable performance was achieved.
- Hundreds of thousands more accident-free hours were reported by internal industrial psychologists.
- Implication of study: 20% improvement in Neuro Agility directly correlated to reduced human error, fewer accidents, improved productivity, and a decrease in absenteeism.
Return on investment for company
- 100% of respondents stated that knowing their neuro-design and potential risk for error helped them in managing fatigue better and reducing their risk for error.
- Accident-free hours were exceeded with hundreds of thousands of hours.
- Findings from the NAP™, helped develop a pre-employment screening system to determine the potential risk for error. These findings led to the following:
* An increase in employee retention,
* A report to the holding company stating that because of increased productivity and reduction in human error, executive management should consider implementing the NAP™ division-wide. - The Neuro Agility pilot study resulted in a significant bottom-line finding that the mine now integrates into their health and safety initiatives.
- The reduction of mistakes, accidents, and absenteeism in the workplace could be attributed to NAP™ and neuro-agility interventions.
- The findings from this case study were highly predictive, i.e:
* Neuro Agility subscales predicted risk for error 100% of the time.
These include information processing style and brain fitness, stress, and fatigue levels. The mine now uses the NAP™ case study results as a predictive model for both the selection of new personnel, creating personalized development programs, and providing neuro-agility learning solutions to new employees.
Key takeaways from this case study
- Using the NAP™ for business optimization purposes generates:
* Large reductions in costs related to mistakes and accidents
* Decreased attrition rates
* Increased productivity - Using the NAP™ for health and safety purposes generates:
* A personalized approach to reducing the risk of mistakes and human error
* Reduction in absenteeism - Using the NAP™ for selection and talent development purposes generates:
* Personalized development programs (PDPs) for employees
* Higher performance - * Accurately identifying potential
- * Proactively managing potential risk for mistakes and human error.
Related Topics
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