Toolbox Talks
Topic: STAR Process
Introduction
STAR is introduced to minimize the accidents / incidents and motivate to the individuals for thinking about the job prior to execution. STAR reporting is like a dynamic risk assessment where we don’t require any document in execution stage.
What you understand when we say STAR reporting?
A new initiative to get employees and other workers to think about the task they are about to carry out and ensure all the appropriate control measures are in place and being followed. Then once they have completed the task to review the outcome and if necessary, suggest how it could be done better in future.
The aim is particularly to get people thinking about health and safety but we want also suggestions for any improvements to the way tasks area carried e.g. improvement to the environment, procedures, quality and productivity.
Concept of STAR
Follow the steps while carrying out something new, unfamiliar or with significant hazardous job. The concept of STAR card is: –
Stop
- Take a few seconds to consider the task you are about to carry out.
Think
- What are the hazards.
- What procedures are involved.
- What equipment are you going to use.
- What other work is going on in the area.
- What could go wrong.
- What control measures do I need?
Act
- Ensure all the appropriate control measures are in place.
- Carry out the task.
Review
- At the end of the job review what has happened?
- Were there any problems?
- How could the task be done better?
- To make it safer (people and environment).
- To make it easier.
- To give better productivity.
- To give better quality.
Following are hazards to be considered for STAR reporting:
Examples of Common measures considered for STAR reporting:
Procedures for task being carried out – are they in place and do I understand what they require?
Planning – has enough planning and preparation been done?
Personal Protective Equipment – do I have the right PPE?
Respiratory protection – do I need to consider this?
Equipment – do I have the right tools and equipment? Is it in good working order?
Permit to work – is one needed?
Supervision – does my Safety Officer / Supervisor know what I am doing?
Communications – How will I communicate to others in the team / working nearby? Radios, handover, logs, barricading, etc.?
Emergency procedures – are they in place? Do I know them?
STAR reporting procedure:
Wherever possible the person making the suggestion will be involved in implementing any improvements. After receiving the filled cards, evaluation and follow up will be done jointly by safety representative, area safety manager and unit in charge. Quarterly recognition will be given for the best implemented suggestions.
Benefits of STAR reporting system implementation to the company-
- Unsafe condition inside the plant will be minimized.
- Accident rate will be minimized and thus safety performance will be improved.
