Checklist for Everything? Seriously?

There is a new craze of doing everything through checklists! I wonder why?

The attachment to the checklist way of doing tasks can be attributed to several factors, some of which are as follows:

1. Consistency and Standardization: Checklists provide a structured and consistent approach to tasks. They ensure that essential steps or items are not overlooked, which is crucial in fields like healthcare, aviation, and EHS where errors can have severe consequences.
2. Reduced Cognitive Load: Checklists help reduce the cognitive load on individuals. They don’t need to remember every step or detail, which is especially valuable in high-stress or complex situations. This is often referred to as “cognitive offloading.”
3. Training and Onboarding: Checklists are useful for training and onboarding new employees or professionals. They serve as a clear guide for what needs to be done, helping newcomers get up to speed quickly.
4. Documentation and Accountability: Checklists serve as a record of what was done, which is vital for compliance, auditing, and quality control. They provide accountability by specifying who is responsible for each task.
5. Risk Mitigation: In fields with high-risk factors, like surgery or aviation, checklists are critical for risk mitigation. They ensure that crucial safety measures are followed consistently.
6. Efficiency: Checklists can streamline processes and make them more efficient. They are particularly valuable in tasks with many repetitive steps.
7. Psychological Comfort: Knowing that a checklist is in place can provide a sense of security and confidence, reducing anxiety about missing important steps.

However, it’s essential to strike a balance. Overreliance on checklists, can lead to a lack of critical thinking and situational awareness. People might merely “tick the boxes” without fully understanding the context. It’s crucial to encourage professionals to use checklists as a tool but not as a replacement for their expertise and judgment. They should always be open to adapting to unexpected situations that may not be covered by a checklist.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Checklists:-

Advantages of Using Checklists for EHS Activities:

1. Standardization: Checklists provide a structured and standardized approach to EHS inspections, ensuring that key items are consistently covered.
2. Documentation: They serve as a clear record of what was checked, helping in compliance reporting and auditing.
3. Training Tool: Checklists can be valuable for training new EHS professionals or employees as they clearly outline what to look for and evaluate.
4. Efficiency: They can help in streamlining the inspection process, making it more efficient, and reducing the chances of missing critical items.
5. Risk Reduction: By systematically checking items, checklists can help identify potential hazards and risks, aiding in their mitigation.
6. Accountability: Checklists can assign responsibility for specific tasks or areas, making it clear who is responsible for what.

Disadvantages of Using Checklists for EHS Activities:

1. Overreliance: As mentioned, there’s a risk of overreliance on checklists, leading to a lack of critical thinking and situational awareness. Some inspectors may merely “tick the boxes” without fully understanding the risks.
2. Narrow Focus: Checklists can be too prescriptive, potentially missing out on emerging risks or unique situations not covered in the list.
3. Complexity: In complex EHS scenarios, checklists may not adequately address all the variables and nuances involved.
4. Lack of Flexibility: They may not adapt well to changing conditions, making them less effective in dynamic environments.
5. Time-Consuming: Elaborate checklists can be time-consuming, and this might discourage frequent inspections.
6. Ineffectiveness in Decision-Making: Checklists are primarily for data collection, and they might not always help in making critical decisions during emergencies.

In EHS line of work, it’s crucial to strike a balance between the advantages of standardization and documentation that checklists offer and the disadvantages related to overreliance and a narrow focus. It might be helpful to complement checklists with regular training on situational awareness and critical thinking to ensure that inspectors don’t lose these essential skills.

So what is right way to tasks:-

The best mix for carrying out tasks (Audits/ Inspections/ Walkthrough) in the field of Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) typically involves a combination of checklists, observations, and interviews. This balanced approach ensures a comprehensive assessment of EHS compliance and effectiveness. Here’s a suggested mix:

1. Checklists: (As discussed above)
   • Advantages: Checklists provide a structured and systematic way to ensure that critical EHS elements are not overlooked.
   • When to Use: Use checklists to cover standard, routine, and well-defined EHS parameters. They are especially effective for repetitive inspections where compliance with specific regulations and best practices is essential.
2. Observations:
   • Advantages: Direct observations allow you to see conditions and behaviors in real-time, providing insights into actual practices.
   • When to Use: Observations are best for assessing the implementation of EHS policies, procedures, and controls. They are particularly useful when there is a need to assess the effectiveness of safety measures and the overall safety culture.
3. Interviews:
   • Advantages: Interviews facilitate communication with employees and stakeholders, allowing you to gain their perspective on EHS practices.
   • When to Use: Interviews are valuable for obtaining qualitative information, understanding employee perceptions, and identifying potential gaps in safety practices. They can be used to gather insights on safety culture and individual experiences.

Balancing the Mix:

• Preparation: Start with checklists as they provide a structured framework. These can serve as a baseline for your tasks (inspection or audit.
• Observations: Conduct observations to assess real-world conditions and behaviors. This is an opportunity to see if what is documented in the checklists matches what is happening in practice.
• Interviews: Use interviews as a means to engage with employees, gather their feedback, and understand their experiences. This can help uncover issues that might not be apparent through checklists or observations alone.

Remember that the mix can vary depending on the specific EHS activity and the context. In complex or high-risk environments, you might lean more on observations and interviews to gain deeper insights. It’s important to keep the mix flexible and adaptable to the unique circumstances of each inspection or audit. Additionally, ensure that your approach aligns with the objectives of the tasks, whether it’s compliance, risk assessment, or continuous improvement.