Many of the most important safety lessons in our industry are already written down. The challenge is finding them when you need them. We are excited to launch the production version of our new Learning Event Bulletin (LEB) Smart Search feature which is now live on the Safer Together website.
Learning Event Bulletins (LEBs) are an innovative communication tool used to share valuable across-industry information and learning from unwanted events and/or threats; in order to minimise Fatalities and Permanent Impairment incidents (FPIs) in the Australian Energy Production Industry.
LEBs focus on ‘unwanted events/threats’ as triggers to investigate and disseminate lessons learned. They encourage industry to approach unwanted events/threats with a positive learning mindset. They are designed to facilitate discussions to influence and reinforce behaviours that focus on helping prevent harm to frontline workers.
In particular, we focus on sharing High Value Learning Events - learnings and findings from events that either did (or easily could have if it wasn’t for a stroke of luck) result in someone being killed or permanently impaired. In a nutshell, it’s about focusing on “the big stuff”.
Now, with more than 130 LEBs in the library, like many large document repositories, some of the most valuable insights can remain hidden unless you already know exactly what to search for.
That’s where AI can help.
Developed with the generous support of FICARIS DIGITAL, our new AI ‘LEB Smart Search’ feature allows users to ask questions in plain language and instantly surface relevant incidents and lessons learned.
The system uses an agentic AI approach — combining semantic search, reasoning, and document retrieval — to identify the most relevant Bulletins and link users directly to the original document.
The goal is simple: Make critical and applicable safety knowledge easier to discover, discuss, and apply.
How to use an LEB once you find something relevant: LEBs contain great information, but it’s the conversation that really counts. Look for opportunities to engage your team, share experiences and perspectives and ask for feedback.
Use Smart Search for your pre-start Toolbox: Three years ago, we started producing a Toolbox version with each Learning Event Bulletin issued to encourage all members to use it as a “click and go” communications tool for having a two-way discussion about it with your frontline workforce teams.
- Make it relevant – search for something relevant to your team’s activities on any given day. Understand the work scope your teams are engaged to deliver and the potential risks they could be exposed to, e.g., ‘onshore line of fire events’.
- Make it a conversation. LEBs are great tools, but it’s the conversation that counts! Look for opportunities to engage the team and to share experiences and perspectives. Stimulate conversations with the use of leading questions, and ask for feedback -
- Could this happen on the site that you are working on?
- What barriers are in place to prevent it from happening?
- How do you know those barriers are in place?
- What actions could we take to further reduce the risk?
- Create a learning environment. Embrace curiosity and support those who courageously declare ‘I don’t know’.
If you have any questions about LEBs, get in touch: [email protected].