Heinrich Law to floor the DEVIL

The company I sailed for - Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) - implements some theoretical background in its safety programmes. Looking for the effective ideas on how to increase the level of safety in order to prevent maritime accidents and to ensure safe vessel operations, NYK runs the DEVIL Hunting (or Near Miss 3,000) campaign, which is a process NYK uses to identify Dangerous Events and Irregular Looks. The DEVIL Hunting campaign bases on the Heinrich's Law.



Heinrich's Law says that behind every serious accident there are 29 minor accidents and 300 near miss experiences. NYK goes further in identifying the basement of the pyramid which expends to 3000 unsafe conditions or unsafe acts. These unsafe conditions or unsafe acts are called Devils. As seen on the figure by identifying and preventing 3000 Devils company may save 29 minor and 1 major accidents.

Why does NYK do it? Reasons are:
1/ Identification of the Devils lies on the staff-in-the-field shoulders. That means it is an effective incentive to teach the staff of augmented self-care not only for an individual but for a working group, be further safe conciousness in unfamiliar conditions and preferring safe practices as the extras to the achieving the otherwise expected performance levels.
2/ In case the theory works, then it adds to saving a lot of money as each maritime accident costs a lot. I am not talking about major maritime disasters about the measurable parameter of downtime. If the statistics is true then the below figure proves saving for the company.
3/ It adds positively to the image of such a world class logistics and megacarrier provider as NYK.


So why not, even if many experts say Heinrich Law is too much controversial? NYK gets result from the mainstream idea. Brilliant branding of the campaign to teach and incite the employees. Get on board the boat!