Safety Management

Question 1

What is an accident?

Answer 1

An accident can be defined as an unexpected and undesired change of condition, situation, or state that results in adverse consequences.

Question 2

What are the two types of accident and describe them

Answer 2

According to James Reason in the “Managing the Risks of Organisational Accidents,”

An individual accident, in this context, can be defined as an incident typically caused by an individual’s error or mistake, often involving contact with an energy source. These accidents tend to occur quite frequently, but their impact on the organization is considered to be low.

An organisational accident, is a rare occurrence that is a product of technological innovation over the years. These accidents don’t happen very often but have the potential for catastrophic impact. They necessitate detailed investigation, and due to their severity, they may be reported widely in the media. The high impact on the organization distinguishes organizational accidents from more frequent and less severe incidents.

Question 3

What are the barriers that can be placed to reduce accidents?

Answer 3

Between the hazard and the object, you have procedures, safety inspections, PPE, safety signage, safety briefings.

Question 4

What is the HFACS Framework?

Answer 4

• The purpose of the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) framework is to provide a structured approach for analyzing human factors contributing to accidents and incidents in safety-critical industries.
• It aims to understand the underlying causes of adverse events by categorizing factors at different levels within an organization.
• It is based on the premise that, in theory, at least one failure at each level is necessary for an adverse event to occur. By categorizing factors at different levels, HFACS allows investigators to identify the root causes of accidents and implement corrective measures at various levels of the system.

1. Unsafe Acts:

This level involves the actions or behaviors of individuals that directly contribute to accidents. It includes errors (mistakes), lapses (slips or omissions), and violations (deliberate deviations from rules or procedures).

2. Preconditions for Unsafe Acts:

Before unsafe acts occur, there are underlying conditions or preconditions that create a conducive environment for errors. These may include factors such as inadequate training, fatigue, stress, or communication breakdowns.

3. Unsafe Supervision:

Unsafe supervision refers to failures in the oversight and management of individuals or operations. This level includes inadequate leadership, poor decision-making, and insufficient monitoring of tasks.

4. Organizational Influences:

At the highest level, HFACS considers organizational factors that influence safety. This includes issues related to the organization’s safety culture, policies, resource allocation, and overall management practices.

https://www.hfacs.com/hfacs-framework.html

Question 5

What are the categories of defences?

Answer 5

Hard defences (engineering) and soft defences (administrative)

Question 6

What are the types of defences? (7)

Answer 6

These defenses operate at different levels to create a comprehensive safety net.

Firstly, there are defenses aimed at fostering understanding and awareness of local hazards, ensuring that individuals are informed about potential risks.

Guidance is then provided to outline safe operating practices, offering a set of rules and protocols.

Additionally, systems are equipped with warnings and alarms to alert individuals when imminent danger is detected.

In the event of a hazard, the system is designed to restore itself to a normal state.

Physical safety barriers are interposed between hazards and potential losses, acting as a protective shield.

Furthermore, if a barrier were to fail, there are mechanisms in place to contain and eliminate hazards swiftly.

Finally, the defenses include providing means for escape and rescue, ensuring that individuals have a route to safety should containment measures falter.

Together, these types of defenses form a layered approach to enhance safety and minimize the impact of potential risks.

Question 7

what is the difference between latent contidions and active failures?

Answer 7

Latent Conditions:

Latent conditions are underlying, systemic factors within an organization or its processes that may contribute to errors or failures. These conditions are often present before an accident occurs but may not directly cause the accident. Instead, they create an environment where errors are more likely to happen.

Examples: Inadequate training programs, flawed organizational culture, poor communication structures, insufficient maintenance procedures, or outdated equipment design. These conditions may persist over time and influence the overall safety culture within an organization.

Active Failures:

Active failures, on the other hand, are the immediate, direct actions or decisions made by individuals that contribute to an accident. These failures are typically observable and can be linked directly to the incident.

Examples: Human errors, such as a pilot making a wrong decision, a technician misreading instructions, or a supervisor failing to provide clear guidance. Active failures are often the last link in the chain of events leading to an accident.

In essence, latent conditions represent the underlying organizational and systemic factors that set the stage for accidents, while active failures are the more direct, immediate actions or decisions made by individuals that trigger or contribute to the occurrence of an accident.