Summary
In short
- A behaviour based observation is an inspection used in KnowSafe that looks at a specific set of behaviours agreed with the workforce, such as line of fire, body position and tool use. It is built against BBS programme practice and forms part of the Safety Culture and Engagement programme.
- Run on a set frequency. Carried out by trained peer observers.
- The template holds 34 fields across 4 sections, with at risk detail repeating for each entry.
- Scoring is percent safe by behaviour, where high is good.
- BBS programme practice is behaviour based safety practice. Observation and feedback programmes aimed at behaviour. Effective only where reporting is already trusted.
- It connects to the rest of the library: feeds trend review.
What it is
What it is
What is a behaviour based observation?
A behaviour based observation is an inspection used in KnowSafe that looks at a specific set of behaviours agreed with the workforce, such as line of fire, body position and tool use. It is built against BBS programme practice and forms part of the Safety Culture and Engagement programme.
When is a behaviour based observation completed?
A behaviour based observation is completed on the inspection frequency set in your programme, and again after any change to the asset or area. Run on a set frequency.
When to use it
When to use it, and when not to
This inspection is one step in a larger programme. Using it for work that belongs to a neighbouring template produces records that are hard to report on later.
Use it for
- The event or activity this inspection covers has occurred, or is about to
- A new record is needed; each one gets its own ID in the form OBS-2026-000
- You are running the Safety Culture and Engagement programme and this is one of its steps
- A linked record needs this one to exist: feeds trend review
Not for
- Safety Observation, which a short record of how a task was actually done, noting both safe practice and risk.
- Leadership Safety Walk, which a senior leader spends time in the workplace talking with workers about how the work really goes.
- Safety Coaching Record, which records a coaching conversation after an at risk practice was seen.
- Anything outside KnowSafe, which belongs in the workspace that owns that process
Standards
What it is built against
BBS programme practiceBehaviour based safety practice
Observation and feedback programmes aimed at behaviour. Effective only where reporting is already trusted.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the behaviour based observation template based on?+
It is built against BBS programme practice. BBS programme practice is behaviour based safety practice. Observation and feedback programmes aimed at behaviour. Effective only where reporting is already trusted.
What sections does the behaviour based observation contain?+
There are 4 sections: header, agreed behaviours, at risk detail, result. Together they hold 34 fields, 27 of which are required.
How often is a behaviour based observation raised?+
A new record is raised on the inspection frequency set in your programme, and again after any change to the asset or area. Each one is given an ID in the form OBS-2026-000, so it can be traced and referenced from other records.
Which programme does the behaviour based observation belong to?+
It is part of Safety Culture and Engagement. A measured culture position, with interventions matched to the maturity level you actually have.
How is a behaviour based observation scored?+
Scoring is percent safe by behaviour. High is good. Scores exist to make the form tell you something, not to produce a percentage for its own sake.
Can the behaviour based observation template be changed?+
Yes. Every field, option, score and conditional rule is editable, and the links to other templates come with it. Most teams install it as it is, run it for a cycle, then adjust.
The agents
What the agents do with it
The form is the easy part. Keeping it current, routing it to the right owner and holding the evidence together is the work that actually slips.
Holds the behaviour based observation library against your registers, routes each record to its owner, and keeps the evidence trail together.
Coordinates the crew, rolls completion and exceptions into one view, and holds every write for your approval before it touches a record.
This template lives in KnowSafe — safety and compliance. Incidents, hazards, permits, inspections and the critical controls behind them.
Meet KnowSafe→Sources
Sources
- BBS programme practice — Behaviour based safety practice