08. Measuring Performance Flashcards
Quantitative measurements are
numerical and objective e.g. the accident injury incidence rate (AIIR).
Qualitative measurements are
subjective and judgemental e.g. the standards of housekeeping have improved.
Monitoring involves
collecting information, such as measurements or observations, over time, to provide management information on performance trends and fluctuations.
Auditing is
the structured process of collecting independent information on the efficiency, effectiveness and reliability of the total health and safety management system and drawing up plans for corrective action.
Reviewing is
the process of making judgements about the adequacy of performance and determining the actions necessary to remedy deficiencies.
The management system requires both active (proactive) and reactive monitoring systems: Active Systems…
monitor the effectiveness of workplace precautions, RCS’s and management arrangements.
The management system requires both active (proactive) and reactive monitoring systems: Rective Systems…
monitor accidents, ill health, incidents and other evidence of deficient health and safety performance.
Reactive monitoring systems Reactive systems, by definition, are triggered after an event and include identifying and reporting:
injuries and cases of ill health (including monitoring of sickness absence records);
other losses, such as damage to property;
incidents, including near misses with the potential to cause injury,
complaints by the workforce regarding health, safety and welfare issues;
enforcement actions, such as prosecutions, enforcement notices or informal letters;
civil claims for compensation; and the costs arising out of all of the above.
Accident Incident Rate (AIR)
AIR = Number of defined accidents/Average number employed x 1000
Accident Frequency Rate (AFR)
AFR = Number of defined accidents in period/Total person hours worked in period x 100 000
The HSE define an audit as:
“The structured process of collecting independent information on the efficiency, effectiveness and reliability of the total health and safety management system and drawing up plans for corrective action.”
The aims of auditing a health and safety management system (HSMS) should be to establish that: 2
the components of the HSMS exist and are effective and reliable; and appropriate preventive and protective measures are in place and are effective and reliable
Effective auditing systems display the following characteristics: 3
They are carried out by a competent individual or team (of managers, specialists, operational staff, safety representatives, or external consultants) who have received specific training to do the work; and The auditor(s) is independent of the area or section being audited. There is an appropriate benchmark to audit against.
The auditing process involves:
collecting information about the health and safety management system; and making judgements about its adequacy and performance.
Auditors have three information sources on which to draw:
Interviewing individuals
Examining documents
Visual observation of physical conditions and work activities
