Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
6i
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
April 23, 2019
DATE: April 17, 2019
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Michael Ehl, Director Aviation Operations
David Crowner, Manager Aviation Safety Management Systems, Airport Operations
Manette Moses, Director Health and Safety
SUBJECT: One Port Behavior-Based Safety Training Services Procurement
Amount of this request:
$2,350,000
Total estimated contract cost:
$2,350,000
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to execute a service agreement
for a Port-Wide Behavior Based Safety Awareness and Engagement program for an estimated
value of $2,350,000, with a contract duration of five years.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this request is to expand, strengthen and encourage a Behavior Based Safety
Program within the Port and with our airfield stakeholder community.
Behavior-Based Safety is a pillar of lean process improvement that creates a safety partnership
between the organization and all its employees and associates that focuses people's attentions
and actions on theirs, and others’, daily safety behavior. It instills a personal ownership and
accountability for safety to promote a 'want to be safe' mindset that elicits safe behavior and
practices.
The Port of Seattle has a long-standing commitment to safety, implementing numerous
countermeasures for annual safety performance improvement. While making significant
progress in engaging employees at all levels of the organization, continuous progress must be
pursued to maintain relevancy and effectiveness. With expanded growth at the airport and
other Port operations, this accountability must also include partnership with our external
stakeholders with a shared objective that every employee, tenant and customer goes home
safely.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 6i Page 2 of 4
Meeting Date: April 23, 2019
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
An expanded deployment of a Behavior Based Safety program will continue to foster and
strengthen a strong safety cultural element to those working on our property and further
elucidate our commitment to Safety.
To engender a deep and lasting cultural impact, a 5-year commitment is proposed at an
estimated value of $2,350,000. The cost for each year of the contract is budgeted within the
Aviation Operations and Health and Safety budgets.
JUSTIFICATION
This project supports and cultivates a behavior-based approach to safety to engender a cultural
change in safety attitudes to elicit personal commitment for safety and the safety of others. It
aligns with the Port’s values to promote a healthy and diverse organization and its inherent
obligation to ensure a safe operating environment and work space. A program of this nature
requires a sustained approach and delivery over multiple years to effectively inculcate these
cultural attitudes Port wide.
DETAILS
This project will consist of four phases that will include the development, standardization and
implementation of a sustained cultural change in which a personal commitment to want to be
safe is engrained, including initial instruction, awareness and coaching over a 5-year period. It
will provide multi-level (Executive, Manager, Supervisor, front-line) instruction to instill and
sustain a positive, proactive safety culture and mindset to both internal and external
stakeholder staff, that strengthens and aligns cultural and philosophical views around a
common safety language and attitude. It will provide tools and materials to support more
constructive behaviors around making safe personal choices and decisions.
Port staff is partnering with Diversity in Contracting to determine the aspirational goal and
conduct outreach as necessary in support of the program.
Scope of Work
Work will provide consulting, training and engagement services to leverage our existing safety
program elements, incorporate industry best practices, eliminate ineffective elements and
standardize safety processes for all Port employees and stakeholders with a comprehensive and
standardized program that instills a personal commitment to safety. Specific to the Port’s
Aviation Safety Management System, the consultant will evaluate work flow and engagement
pertinent to safety procedures, process and reporting from airport operations tenants.
Schedule
We estimate the contract to be executed in fourth quarter of 2019.
(1) Phase 1: Gap analysis - Port-wide safety program audit
(2) Phase 2: Development of standardized safety culture training
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 6i Page 3 of 4
Meeting Date: April 23, 2019
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
(3) Phase 3: Implement standardized safety leadership and employee safety training
(4) Phase 4: Sustain a strong and engaged safety culture
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Status quo
Cost Implications: (Increased exposure/financial losses)
Pros:
(1) No additional expenses or direct outlay to Port
Cons:
(1) Increased exposure to legal action
(2) Stagnant safety culture without meaningful means of change
(3) Diminished effectiveness of our safety efforts and programs
(4) Does not satisfy our aspirational safety goals and objectives
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Engage in only a 1-year effort
Cost Implications: $550,000 for one year only.
Pros:
(1) Funds are already budgeted for 2019
Cons:
(1) Liability exposure
(2) Program effectiveness would be diminished
(3) Additional personnel may be necessary to deliver training
(4) Program licensing would not be accounted for after year-one
(5) Program would be incongruent and inconsistent
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 3 – Procurement and delivery over 5-year period
Cost Implications: $2,350,000 over 5 years
Pros:
(1) Fosters safety engagement and safe workplace practices
(2) Ensures sustainability of the program
(3) Imbues common cultural attitudes and behavior
(4) Strengthens Port’s commitment to safety
Cons:
(1) Additional Costs
This is the recommended alternative.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 6i Page 4 of 4
Meeting Date: April 23, 2019
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
The annual cost would be included in the operating expense budget within the Aviation Division
and the Health and Safety Department. The 2019 budget includes $286,255.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
Presentation slides
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
None
