Tracking hazard corrections

Implement a system to report and track hazards correction actions. 

These systems are used to help track hazards corrective actions preventive maintenance systems emergency preparation and medical programs [2]. Refer to Figures 11-1 and 11-2 for an overview of how a hazard control system works. 

Sample Forms for Employee Reporting of Hazards, Tracking Hazard Corrections, Follow-Up Documentation... 

An effective procedure for tracking hazard correction is in place. ... 

Implement processes or systems to report and track hazard correction actions Establish a timetable for implementing corrective hazard controls Prioritize hazards as identified by inspections, reporting, and accident investigations Require employees to report hazards using an established processes Provide quick feedback about the status of hazard correction activities Delegate responsibility for correcting hazards and documenting completion Permit supervisors and experienced employees to initiate hazard control actions... 

The hazard reports that work best are a set of customized checklist for a specific workplace and operation. Appendix B provides several sample reporting forms, Sample Forms for Employee Reporting of Hazards,Tracking Hazard Correction, and Follow-Up Documentation. 

Another way to track hazard correction is to transfer information from the original hazard report to a separate hazard tracking report. Ideally, this system receives information on all uncorrected hazards and not just information from one of the avenues for uncovering hazards. Tracking by separate form is most effective when computerized. 

Commonly reported near misses include such events as exceeding operating limits, a release of a chemical or other hazardous substance that does not meet the threshold for a process safety incident metric, activation of relief valves, interlocks, or ruptured disks. Companies may establish near-miss metrics based on the specifics of their operation, based on their observations of frequent upsets or failures, or to track and correct observed unsafe practices or behaviors. 

The hazard tracking log provides a means of tracking hazards throughout the life cycle and documenting the status of corrective actions. 

Corrective Action Some product manufacturers must notify the federal government of hazards and defects that may affect users. It is also important to track hazards in products and the actions taken to eliminate or reduce them. It... 

Do accident investigation reports show a thorough analysis of causes, rather than a tendency to automatically blame the injured employee Are near-misses (property damage or close calls) investigated using the same techniques as accident investigations Are hazards identified as contributing to accidents or near-misses tracked to correction ... 

In VPP, the section on Tracking of Hazard Correction states the following This system must include methods for Recording and prioritizing hazards and Assigning responsibilities, timeframes for correction, interim protection, and follow-up to ensure abatement. Note that it is hazards that are to be prioritized. That cannot be properly done if the probability of an incident occurring because a hazard s potential has been realized is not considered. 

Develop a system that tracks and makes sure that there is timeliness hazard correction. Many sites have been successful in building this in with an already... 

The central safety committee is an oversight committee with an interest in every part of the safety program. It sometimes serves as the hazard correction tracking management system. It is sometimes known as a follow-up committee. In this case, the committee receives reports of all inspections, incident investigations, and hazards reported by employees, and makes sure that all reported hazards are tracked until they are resolved [7]. 

The success or failure of inspection programs is determined by the quality of follow-up and the action planning. If corrective actions cannot be accomplished immediately after a hazard is identified, the inspection report should include interim measures that have been taken, as discussed previously, and should not be considered completed until the final action plan has been signed off. A written tracking system will improve your inspection program. Refer to Appendix C for methods of tracking hazards. 

All employees should be able to report hazards without reprisal. When a good safety culture is in place, managers are properly trained and accept their responsibility for safety. Informal oral reporting of hazardous conditions should occur naturally. When an employee s concerns appear valid, management must have the responsibility to correct the hazard, request corrective action by maintenance or other resources, or ask for assistance from a safety professional. Most workplaces encourage this type of reporting. Used alone, it does not provide for hazard correction tracking. Nor does it enable you to look for trends and patterns. 

To complement hazard controls, you also must have good management systems that involve preventive maintenance hazard correction tracking a fair and consistent enforcement of rules, procedures, work practices, and PPE a solid system for responding to unexpected emergencies and a good medical program that helps to identify hazards and minimize harm if injuries and work-related illnesses occur [2]. 

Basically, through training, employees become adept at safety and health hazards recognition and empowered and encouraged to observe worksite conditions and report violations of other unsafe situations. Employees then record their observations on cards called stop cards, which are collected and given to the safety department for further follow-up, tracking, and corrective action. 

Are hazards that are identified as contributing to accidents or near-misses tracked to correction ... 

Many companies use the form that documents the original discovery of a hazard to track the correction of the hazard. Inspection reports include notations about hazard correction alongside the information about the hazard. Employee reports of hazards and reports of accident/incident investigations also should provide space for notations about hazard correction. 

Note See the Toolbox for a sample Hazard/Correction Tracking Sheet. 

The contractors SSAHPs at Sites I and K required that safety and health program inspections be conducted however, these requirements were not effectively implemented at either of these sites. Both Site K contractors required the HSO to conduct daily inspections, and both stated in their written plans that hazards would be immediately corrected. Neither contractor, however, had established hazard abatement procedures to ensure the prompt correction of hazards, and site records for both contractors indicated that hazard abatement activities were either not documented or not completed. For example, the subcontractor s daily safety log contained several notations of safety hazards, including an unstable concrete well and storage of diesel cans near the propane tank however, later log entries and site records did not track the abatement of these hazards. 

Some measures of PSM and ESH performance are easy to identify, establish and track. These include accident rates, effluent tonnages and composition and number of days lost to illness. Almost all of these traditional performance measures are end-of-pipe that is, they measure the output of the management system and allow corrective action only after a failure has occurred. The ideal measurement system identifies potential problems ahead of actual failure allowing corrective action to be taken. This requires using techniques such as audits and hazard assessments. 

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