In the high-stakes world of manufacturing and production engineering, ensuring worker safety and efficiency is imperative due to the numerous hazards they face daily. Manufacturing environments can pose many risks, including physical dangers such as falls, burns, chemical exposure, or electrical risks as well as hazards associated with operating heavy machinery. Therefore, recruiting individuals with the right skills and attributes for these demanding roles is key.
Why Recruitment Matters
Dr Stephen Fletcher, Director and Occupational Psychologist at the OPC said, “Effective recruitment in this industry is more than just filling positions—it’s about identifying candidates who excel in managing the inherent risks of these environments. As older, more experienced employees approach retirement, attracting skilled labour from a younger generation is even more important.”
Enhancing Safety in Nuclear Product Manufacturing
Over several years, psychologists from the Occupational Psychology Centre (OPC) worked with a leading nuclear product manufacturer in the medical sector, supporting a range of sites and functions including manufacturing, EHS, liabilities management, and distribution.
Dr Fletcher explained, “We reviewed critical areas, including identifying safety behaviours, assessing safety leadership, conducting safety culture audits, analysing incident causes, and supporting the development of future safety strategies with senior leaders.”
He continued, “Key to our approach was focusing on individual safety behaviours and the importance of recruiting the right employees. The OPC helped enhance the manufacturer’s overall safety performance supporting a safer, more efficient operation in this high-risk field.”
Key Skills for Safe Production Employees
To thrive in manufacturing, workers need a mix of technical and Non-Technical Skills (NTS). Non-Technical Skills are fundamental personal characteristics essential for performing safety-critical roles with precision and efficiency. These skills can include cognitive abilities, social skills, and motivational traits that help to enhance safety performance. Some key NTS include concentration, communication or conscientiousness.
OPC psychologists believe the following NTS can be essential:
- Risk Anticipation and Time Focus: Workers must proactively identify and manage potential hazards in maintaining a safe working environment and addressing risks before they escalate.
- Active Vigilance: Staying constantly aware of safety hazards, warning signs, and changing conditions. Production workers must respond swiftly to ensure team safety.
- Understanding Rules and Regulations: Adherence to safety rules and procedures is critical. They must follow guidelines precisely to protect themselves and colleagues.
- Attention to Detail: Attributes such as meticulous checking, conscientiousness, and rule motivation ensure high-quality task completion and help to minimise safety incidents.
Assessment Tools for Effective Recruitment
OPC Assessment provide practical tools that can help evaluate critical Non-Technical Skills (NTS) required for safe and effective production employees, such as:
- The Verbal Comprehension for Safety Test (VCST): Evaluates a candidate’s ability to navigate and apply rules effectively.
- The Safe Personality Questionnaire (SAFEPQ): Assesses four key personality characteristics linked to safety performance, such as checking and conscientiousness.
- The Risk and Time Focus Questionnaire (RTQ): Assesses an individual’s attitudes towards risk management and time focus, identifying candidates who are proactive in hazard anticipation.
- The Safe Concentration and Attention Test (SCAAT): Measures concentration and attention in safety-critical environments, crucial for selecting candidates who can stay focused under pressure.
Hosted on their user-friendly Candela™ platform, clear results are available at the touch of a button. Their expert psychologists can advise on any size recruitment project, and tailored to specific needs.
Investing in Safety and Performance
Dr Fletcher, summed up, “Ensuring the safety and efficiency of production workers is not just a priority—it’s a necessity. By utilising the OPC’s safety-critical expertise and specialised assessment tools, manufacturing companies can recruit and develop talent who are not only skilled, but who are also committed to maintaining the highest safety standards.”
Email the friendly OPC team today to build your recruitment solution for safer manufacturing operations.
The OPC: E: admin@theopc.co.uk T: 01923 234646 W: www.theopc.co.uk
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