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All training needs to be validated, that is, it must be proven to be delivering at the sharp end and not just recorded in a tick box, which is so common and means nothing. The second is to ensure Standard Operating and Emergency Procedures are introduced and above all owned by the end users. This means employee in- volvement in their construction, who in turn will ensure they are simple, brief, relevant, updated and vessel / work area speciÞ c. The same workforce involve- ment needs to be embraced in areas such as the management of maintenance, de-sign, choice of equipment purchased, ensuring effective closed loop commu- nications, decision-making & a useful modern 360 appraisal system. Is this change expensive? The answer to this question is that oft quoted saying, ?If you think safety is expensive, try an accident!? But even ignoring accidents, improved safe-ty culture improves all aspects of opera-tions. One company found nearly $40M in savings from the process over a Þ ve year period and another turned a $7.5 M prof-it into $150M over a seven year period. There is nothing a company can do that is more productive. And more importantly, everyone goes home to their loved ones in one piece: Money can?t buy that level of job satisfaction!?There are many important takeaways from our discussion with Captain Wright.
? Culture change takes time, but it is achievable.
? It requires that we expose errors and turn them into learning opportunities.
? It requires real leadership (and participation) to make it happen.
? It not only saves lives and prevents injuries, but it can be exceptionally good for the bottom line. If you are not sold on the importance and accessibility of safety culture trans- formation, visit a vessel operator that has successfully undergone one. There is no better way to understand how pow-erful it can be. Most that have already undergone such a transformation will be very willing to receive you and tell their story - that?s just part of the culture. You will Þ nd the visit very compelling - I guarantee it.www.marinelink.com 27Newport News Installs 30-Ton Propellers Lindell Toombs, a Newport News shipbuilder with 41 years of experi-ence, applies a protective coating to one of the four propellers on the air- craft carrier Gerald R. Ford. Photo by Chris OxleyMR #11 (26-33).indd 27MR #11 (26-33).indd 2711/11/2013 11:42:47 AM11/11/2013 11:42:47 AM