Hazard control concepts

With the workplace hazards identified and defined, the next logical step is to eliminate or control them. Historically, there have been two predominant concepts about hazard controls. The first concept is to think of hazard control as a hierarchy of methods of control. In the hierarchy, the best control method is to eliminate the hazard through redesign or substitution. If elimination or substitution cannot be achieved, then the next-best approach is to block employee access to the hazard. Fintilly, if blocking cannot be achieved, then a last approach would be to warn the employees of the hazard and train them how to avoid the hazard. 

The concepts of hazards, controls, risk and risk acceptabihty. 

Beside knowledge of a wide range of hazards, controls, and safety assessment methods, safety professionals must have knowledge of physical, chemical, biological and behavioral sciences, mathematics, business, training and edncational techniques, engineering concepts, and particular kinds of operations (construction, manufacturing, transportation, etc.). 

The CRC concept, believed to have been pioneered by Ludwig Benner of Events Analysis, Inc., applies RAC logic to hazard controls to develop a matrix to evaluate alternative control measures. It is used for selection and evaluation of hazard controls in conjunction with RACs. It is based on system safety precedence. The rules for use are... 

Written plans, policies, and procedures should direct the hazard control function. The word function, first used in the early sixteenth century, denotes the concept of performance or execution. A function can relate to people, things, and institutions. A function can refer to serving a designated or defined role in some manner. A function can also relate to participation in an ongoing cultural or social system. Considering hazard control as a function of the organization elevates its priority in the minds of everyone (Tables 1.4 and 1.5). 

Many organizations with high accident or injury rates fail to outline specific hazard control responsibilities in their plans, procedures, directives, and job descriptions. The concept of responsibility relates to a person s obligation to carry out assigned duties in an efficient, effective, and safe... 

Organizations must use the concept known as hierarchy of controls to reduce, eliminate, and control hazards or hazardous processes. Hazard controls can also include actions such as using enclosure,... 

Chapter 3 already introduced some aspects of this chapter s aim. It focused on accidents and accident causation theories. It gave some attention to prevention of accidents and introduced hazards and risks. Those elements will remain a focus in many chapters of this book. Chapter 3 also introduced some logical concepts for thinking about hazards, hazard recognition, and hazard control. This chapter will add additional concepts. 

A hazard control mentioned in several previous chapters is personal protective equipment. There are many activities requiring personal protective equipment (PPE) as a primary control. In the hierarchy of controls concept (Chapter 9), PPE is the last resort if one cannot eliminate or manage hazards. PPE applies when other engineering and administrative controls do not work and hazards remain. 

Lack of conformance with government regulations Insufficient in-plant monitoring of physical and chemical hazards Individual hazard approach instead of total loss control concept... 

Some use additional charting techniques when seeking causes. One example is the Ishikawa fish diagram. Many people use this diagram in dealing with quality. It applies a concept that includes people, methods, machines, materials, environment, measurements. That model is similar to the hazard control models introduced in Chapter 9. They included the 4M s and the Goal Accomplishment Model. 

During the concept phase, historical data and technical forecasts are developed as a base for a system hazard analysis. A Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) is conducted during this phase. At the gross level, a Risk Analysis (RA) is performed to ascertain the need for hazard control and to develop system-safety criteria. Safety management will be doing the initial work on the System Safety Program Plan (SSPP). Three basic questions must be answered by the time the concept phase is completed ... 

Have the hazards associated with the design concept been discovered and evaluated to establish hazard controls ... 

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