Contractors

How AIM for ZERO Works

An idea or suggestion is entered by the employee or contractor into the Observation Form via the APA network or by dialing 855-296-6400.

  • The issue or suggestion is described as well as a potential solution.
  • The solution portion is optional but encouraged because workers closest to the operations often have the best ideas to improve performance or make the workplace safer.

When Stop Work Authority is exercised, the employee or contractor should enter the event into the Observation Form.

  • Describe the event that led to the Stop Work Authority being exercised.
  • If possible, describe what should be done to prevent the need for Stop Work Authority in that type of situation.

When a Hazard Observation is made, the employee or contractor should enter the hazard into the Observation Form.

  • If safe to do so, remediate hazard.
  • If hazard poses a significant threat to health or the environment, the supervisor of the area should be contacted for immediate action.

Resolution of inputs:

  • Inputs are automatically sent by the system to the immediate supervisor, EH&S, and the appropriate manager.
  • The supervisor, in consultation with the submitter and any other appropriate persons, will develop and document a plan (including responsible party(ies) and timeline) to address the item.
  • All stakeholders approve the plan for implementation.
  • A plan is implemented and tracked to closure.

Closure of inputs is documented on the Observation Form.

  • Actions taken are documented.
  • If no action is taken, the reasoning is discussed with the submitter, supervisor, and EH&S.
  • All stakeholders approve closure.

AIM for ZERO meetings are included with normal monthly safety meetings.

Monthly attendance is required for field employees and contractors, supervisors, foremen, and EH&S.

Quarterly attendance is required for district manager, regional functional managers, and professionals associated with the region/district operation.

Yearly attendance is required for senior region and corporate management (region vice president, office of the CEO, vice president EH&S) and corporate professionals.

Items for discussion should include but are not limited to:

  • AIM for ZERO inputs with wide application.
  • Review of leading and lagging metrics.
  • EH&S goals (as applicable for group) progress.
  • EH&S plan (as applicable for group) progress.
  • Tools for identification of hazards and risk mitigation.
  • Safe work behavior techniques.

Roles and Responsibilities

Every APA Corporation employee, contractor, and leader has defined responsibilities with AIM for ZERO. It is the responsibility of each to understand their role and work to implement the initiative and follow through on the detailed responsibilities. Below are the defined responsibilities for each work group.

Employees:

  •  All employees are empowered and urged to submit suggestions and ideas to improve EH&S performance.

Contractors:

  • All contractors are empowered and expected to submit AIM for ZERO inputs to improve EH&S performance.

Supervisors/Foremen:

  • Encourage employees and contractors to fully and actively participate in AIM for ZERO.
  • Required to initially review ideas/suggestions for urgency of implementation:
    • High: Act immediately to avoid risk of injury or environmental damage. As time permits, follow AIM for ZERO process for documentation purposes.
    • Moderate: Follow AIM for ZERO process.
    • Low: Follow AIM for ZERO process.
  • Required to develop and approve “Plan of Action” working with submitter, EH&S, and manager.
  • May request technical assistance from district or region personnel.
  • Required to develop a resolution with the primary owner, EH&S, and manager.
  • May request technical assistance from district or region personnel.
  • Required to approve closure of idea/suggestion by implementing or not implementing. When an idea/suggestion is not implemented, a “face-to-face” discussion is required with submitter to discuss the reason(s) for not implementing.
  • Coordinate monthly AIM for ZERO meetings.
  • Behavioral suggestions for success and obtaining positive results with AIM for ZERO:
    • Always thank the person for the input.
    • Give prompt feedback and acknowledgement for the idea/ suggestion.
  • Give honest feedback:
    • Good idea.
    • Low value or nonmaterial.
  • Suggest ways for improvement to increase chances of implementation.
  • Act timely on the idea/suggestion.
  • Communicate in person.
  • If idea/suggestion is successfully implemented, acknowledge person as soon as possible in public.
  • “Mining” for suggestions:
    • Read accident and audit reports of other operations to determine hazards or root cause. Relate their incident or audit findings to your workplace.
    • Use the information gained by MBWA (management by walking around) to alert workers to potential hazards.
    • Encourage suggestions under your control.
    • Conduct brainstorming sessions (planned or impromptu) with your direct reports to solve safety or environmental issues.

EH&S:

  • Encourage employees and contractors to fully and actively participate in AIM for ZERO.
  • Required to initially review ideas/suggestions for urgency of implementation:
    • High: Act immediately to avoid risk of injury or environmental damage. As time permits, follow AIM for ZERO process.
    • Moderate: Follow AIM for ZERO process.
    • Low: Follow AIM for ZERO process.
  • Required to develop and approve “Plan of Action” working with submitter, EH&S adviser, and manager.
  • Required to develop a resolution with the submitter, supervisor/ foreman, and manager.
  • Required to approve closure of idea/suggestion by implementing or not implementing. When an idea/suggestion is not implemented, a “face-to-face” discussion is required with submitter to discuss the reason(s) for not implementing.
  • Required to attend monthly AIM for ZERO meetings.

Professionals (Engineers, Supply Chain, Administrative):

  • Encourage employees and contractors to actively and fully participate in AIM for ZERO.
  • As requested, provide technical assistance to evaluate the ideas/suggestions.
  • Required to attend AIM for ZERO meetings at least quarterly.

Managers (District Manager, Field Managers, Production Managers, Drilling Managers, Construction Managers, Engineering Managers):

  • Encourage employees and contractors to actively participate.
  • Required to initially review inputs.
  • Required to develop (if appropriate) and approve resolution while working with the submitter, supervisor/foreman, and EH&S.
  • Provide resources (people, time, and capital) to support the supervisor/foreman and EH&S.
  • Required to attend AIM for ZERO meetings at least quarterly.

Senior Region and Corporate Management (Region Vice President and Vice President – EH&S):

  • Region vice president should review inputs and provide positive reinforcement to submitters.
  • All required to provide resources (people, time, and capital) to support AIM for ZERO efforts.
  • Required to attend AIM for ZERO meetings at least annually.