Safety programs effectiveness

One of the additional conclusions of CAIB was the failure of NASA to integrate its safety program effectively into management decisions. The conclusion was similar to the findings of the Rogers Commission Report for the loss of the shuttle Challenger a few years earlier (Case 35-1). ... 

The use of unsafe behaviors as a metric provides the safety manager with an additional tool to use for measuring safety program effectiveness. While accidents and losses are after-the-fact metrics, safety performance based upon unsafe behaviors can be considered a proactive before-the-fact activity, which when used with other metrics, can provide the safety manager with an arsenal of safety metrics. 

There are many methods to help assess the management system and safety program effectiveness. This chapter will provide an overview of each method. In addition, it will help to provide more detailed information on how to use these tools and how to evaluate each element and subelement of the management system. 

Bailey, C.W. Managerial factors related to safety program effectiveness An update on the Minnesota perception survey. Professional Safety 42 33-35, 1997. 

E. M. Bergtraun, "Organising An Effective FacUity Safety Program," MIPE Facilities, July/Aug. 1990. 

A primary responsibility of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the enforcement of the Federal Food, Dmg, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 and its various amendments, eg. May, 1976, in which dental materials, instmments, and equipment are included. Premarketing clearance requirements apply for estabhshing the safety and effectiveness of new products. There is a close Haison between the FDA and the ADA standards and certification programs. 

Lessons learned provide valuable information for managing health and safety programs. This information addresses conditions to be avoided or recommended practices. Lessons learned typically have the potential for wide-ranging application. Effective identification of lessons learned requires an awareness of emerging practices, programs, and technologies related to hazardous waste activities [3]. 

Exactly what type of lessons are learned cannot be foreseen. The size and diversity of site activities give rise to a wide variety of health and safety hazards. Individual sites need to document and disseminate information that could enhance their hazard recognition and mitigation. Effective documentation is an important concept that everyone needs to buy in to if the safety program is going to be effective. Wliy workers fail to document potential problems has been the subject of much debate. 

A nonprofit organization that is the authoritative source for developing standards for minimizing the possibility and effects of fire and explosion conducts fire safety programs provides information on fire protection, prevention, and suppression develops systems for prevention and suppression offire and explosions arising from hazardous substances. 

However, MORT does not aid in the representation of the accident sequence which must first be determined before the method can be effectively used. Although MORT provides a comprehensive set of factors which may be considered when investigating an incident, it can easily turn an investigation into a safety program review as no guidance is provided on the initial investigative process. 

To ensure project-related safety, health, and environmental issues have been identified and resolved, the refiner should have in effect a process safety program that confirms the project complies with OSHA requirements. 

The most effective means of implementing a safety program is to make it everyone s responsibility in a chemical process plant. The older concept of identifying a few employees to be responsible for safety is inadequate by today s standards. All employees have the responsibility to be knowledgeable about safety and to practice safety. 

Accident and loss statistics are important measures of the effectiveness of safety programs. These statistics are valuable for determining whether a process is safe or whether a safety procedure is working effectively. 

Pracon, Incorporated, "Study to Assess Impacts of Releasing Safety and Effectiveness Data on the Pharmaceutical Industry s Incentives to Invest In and Conduct Research and Development Programs", Food and Drug Administration Contract No. 228-77-8052, Vienna, Virginia, 1978. 10... 

Since 85-95 % of chemical plant accidents are not chemical-related, much of the safety training is similar to that provided in effective safety programs in all kinds of industry. Of course, chemical safety is not neglected. 

The Med Check Program will help patients to improve the safety and effectiveness of their drug therapy, including prescription medications, OTC medications, and herbal products. Patients will receive a comprehensive review of all their medications, with a written report and patient education about each of their drug-related problems. A pharmacist will work with the patients and their physicians to develop a plan to address these problems. 

Comparability Program As with the Fortical case study, Omnitrope and Genotropin differed in certain aspects. As such, Sandoz was required to submit substantial data to establish that Omnitrope was sufficiently similar to Genotropin to warrant reliance on FDA s finding of safety and effectiveness for Genotropin to support the approval of Omnitrope [18]. 

After a process incident at a facility, the company involved has an opportunity to turn a negative event into a positive learning experience. By utilizing information obtained by the investigating team, the company can assess the effectiveness of its safety programs and determine if and to what extent changes are needed in their safety program. 

Pharmacists in health care systems are key to coordinating an effective medication safety program. An awareness of pafienf safefy and collaboration among health professionals will improve medication safefy for patienfs. 

An accident is vmavoidable in any industry no matter how good and flawless a safety program is. Minimizing the factors that are responsible for hazards are more important than minimizing the effects of an accident. 

Metrics should relate to the elements of the process safety system. Poorly selected metrics that do not specifically relate to the execution of process safety elements will not provide an accurate evaluation of process safety system performance. Occupational injury and illness reporting rates are sometimes used to judge overall safety performance, and this metric does track the incidence of employee injuries quite well. However, this rate does not reflect the effectiveness of the process safety system. Occupational safety is quite important to the health and well-being of employees, but the metrics involved in assessing the occupational safety performance are not appropriate for process safety system evaluation the detailed elements of a process safety program differ markedly fl-om an occupational safety program (as discussed in Chapter 3). 

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