Goal Zero underpins Shell’s strategic ambitions, and the Life-Saving Rules established by the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) are a proven enabler in achieving Goal Zero. In the pursuit of eliminating serious injuries, illness, and fatalities, Shell has transitioned from its 12 life-saving rules to the nine established by the IOGP. This is not just a simple switch from one set of rules to another. It is part of a multiyear journey to strengthen the mindset and behaviors at Shell and deepen its commitment to human performance. This paper explains the context of the Life-Saving Rules and why Shell decided to transition, providing an overview of how it managed the change, the effects so far, and remaining challenges.
Since Shell introduced its 12 life-saving rules in 2009, and they have helped save many lives and prevent life-altering events. Shell decided to transition to the IOGP’s nine Life-Saving Rules across whole company mainly because of the inclusion of the Line of Fire rule, a strong desire to standardize based on motivations from major suppliers, and the inclusion of “I” statements.
Preparations for the transition began in early 2020, with a global launch planned for Safety Day 2021 (an annual dedicated engagement session about safety with all staff and contractors across Shell). The “I” statement language of the new rules empowers individuals to figure out with their peers how to comply and encourages peer-to-peer intervention to enable compliance throughout the work task. This means the rules are more than just rules; they help create the environment in which people feel safe and responsible to speak up, triggering conversations about what can make compliance difficult, resolving any problems before work starts.
When failures do occur, how leaders respond matters. Leaders must engage to understand how context drove behavior and encourage people to speak up with their improvement ideas. People are the key to solutions; when leaders respond productively, the whole system improves and learnings reach those at the point of risk.