Serious-incident prevention elements

It is an old adage that what gets measured, gets done. Perhaps a more accurate statement is that what gets measured and reinforced, gets done. The reinforcement and feedback element of the serious-incident prevention process helps ensure that outstanding performance is recognized and early intervention is initiated when the need for adjustments to the prevention process is indicated. 

One company s pipeline team, comprised of a first-level supervisor and other personnel responsible for operating and maintaining the pipeline system, established an objective of developing a more effective approach to serious-incident prevention based on the eight-element process model. The team s assessment of risks included evaluating causes of past U.S. pipeline accidents. Department of Transportation (DOT) data (Fig. 18.5) identify third-party damage as the most frequent cause of pipeline incidents, followed by defective equipment or repair, external corrosion, internal corrosion, and operator error. The team s thorough evaluation of potential risks has helped ensure that the appropriate tasks and safe... 

This is a performance standard that allows the operator of a manufacturing plant to determine specifically how the standard is met. As long as the approach includes certain elements, the industry is compliant with the standard. While there are several elements, the most important aspect of the standard is its safety systems approach utilizing a team approach to effectively accomplish PHA of the entire operation—this approach seeks to identify the potential hazards in each step of the process and then establishes procedures to prevent or minimize serious incidents. In a sense PHA seeks to answer the questions What can go wrong and What can we do to prevent this The standard requires investigation of each incident to systematically find and remedy the root causes. 

Incidents and accidents, whether they cause damage to property or more seriously injury and/or ill-health to people, should be properly and thoroughly investigated to allow an organization to take the appropriate action to prevent a recurrence. Good investigation is a key element to making improvements in health and safety performance. 

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