Autor: Enrico Baunchi, International Keynote Speaker | Executive and Public Speaking Coach | Urban Neuroscience

B.E.L.T.: Four letters representing a revolutionary approach to understanding, applying, and living day-by-day safety in everyday behavior.

At first glance, it might seem like just another introduction to safety training or a discussion on the importance of everyone in a company taking safety seriously to minimize incidents or mistakes. But it is not.

A transformative attitude-changing approach designed for both small and large companies

The BELT system, developed by the Scuola di Palo Alto in Milan, is a transformative attitude-changing approach designed for both small and large companies. It is more akin to a culture-changing program than a traditional safety program. 

The system is based on the Safety-II concept developed by Dr. Erik Hollnagel, aligning closely with Scuola di Palo Alto’s robust vision of management. Here, positive habits and behaviors are given as much attention as the negative ones.

As an engineer, I found it unacceptable that the conventional approach to safety in companies focuses primarily on avoiding mistakes. Too often, corporations are unaware of the actual application of safety behaviors until a mistake occurs, prompting a thorough review of procedures with extreme accuracy.

The BELT system emphasizes practicing safe behavior at all times during the working day. This involves understanding the importance of situational awareness and developing the skill of detecting weak signals. The system is not designed to be merely „learned” but to be actively implemented.

E: Engagement of everyone in deeply understanding and applying safety behavior

This is where the „E” in BELT comes from: Engagement of everyone in deeply understanding and applying safety behavior. It is a commonly accepted idea that safety is everybody’s responsibility. 

Unfortunately, this is not a common approach in companies. In IT departments, where professionals are often focused on technical tasks, the BELT system clarifies how to behave to enhance the collective safety approach, ensuring everyone is thinking about everyone’s safety, from programmers to users.

L: every project needs Leadership

Every project needs leadership—a guide who deeply understands what safety behavior means and sets an example to be followed. That’s the meaning of the „L” in BELT. The system foresees the training of some BLUE BELTS—specialists who decide to embrace the way of thinking and acting safely at every moment of their working life. They will be trained and assisted in using all the tools of the BELT system. By doing so, they will become leaders and proceed to the next level: GREEN.

„T,” stands for Teams

Finally, the BELT system addresses the most difficult task. The final letter, „T,” stands for Teams. In highly specialized occupations like IT, healthcare, military, and extreme sports, everyone understands that safety is not a one-person game. Nobody can ensure constant safe behavior when working alone. 

We depend on each other. The BELT system training includes special team training for everyone. The vision of safe behavior passes through the understanding of a whole team of people who work in the same environment.

The Tools “Under the BELT” for IT Professionals

Because every working asset in 2024 needs to fully understand what the project is about, the BELT system has been designed with a series of practical tools to use during the consultancy and development period. 

The BLUE BELTS will be certified in the correct use and interpretation of these tools.

Preparing the Base Line

Three tools are used during the first phase:

1. The BELT Psychometric Colors Profiles: It is impossible to communicate in exactly the same way with everyone. That’s why BLUE BELTS will be trained in delivering and understanding the Safety Mindset of the color profiles of the teams they lead. This simple test shows how to address different personalities to achieve the best possible results. It’s the perfect tool to improve communication skills necessary for the correct application of the right safe behavior.
2. The Bradley Curve: A well-known baseline test indicating different perceptions of safety in the workplace. This simple but effective approach to safety perception gives the BLUE BELTS an idea of where they start from. The goal? To reach Stage 4, where safety is highly interdependent.
3. The Safety Perception Survey: Simple but revealing, this survey assesses the actual thinking styles of people about safety behaviors. It’s an eye-opener to the fact that everyone has a different perception of reality. Again, this tool sets a baseline—a starting point.

Safety Mindset in IT: Programming and UX Considerations

For IT professionals, safety extends beyond physical well-being to include the integrity and reliability of systems and user experiences. The BELT system incorporates practices that help IT professionals develop a safety mindset in their everyday tasks:

1. Programming with a Safety Mindset: When writing code, IT professionals must prioritize safety by following best practices that prevent security vulnerabilities. This includes thorough testing, code reviews, and adhering to established coding standards to ensure robust and secure software.
2. User Experience Integrity (UXI): Safety in IT also involves designing systems that are intuitive and error-resistant. By focusing on UXI, IT professionals can create interfaces that guide users toward safe and correct usage, minimizing the risk of user error and enhancing overall system reliability.
3. Continuous Learning and Adaptation: The IT field evolves rapidly, and so must the safety practices within it. BLUE BELTS will promote a culture of continuous learning, ensuring teams stay updated on the latest safety protocols, cybersecurity threats, and technological advancements.
4. Collaboration and Peer Reviews: Just as in physical safety, collaboration is key in IT safety. Regular peer reviews and collaborative problem-solving sessions can help identify potential risks early and foster a collective responsibility for safety.

Conclusion

The BELT system is designed to foster a deep, lasting change in the safety culture of an organization. By emphasizing engagement, leadership, and teamwork, and by providing practical tools for continuous improvement, the BELT system ensures that safety becomes an integral part of daily operations. 

Schaeffler’s commitment to implementing the BELT system demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to workplace safety, positioning the company as a leader in the field.

For IT professionals, the BELT system offers a comprehensive framework to enhance not only physical safety but also the integrity and reliability of digital systems, ensuring a holistic approach to a safe working environment.