These are just two little words that cause so much debate… “at least.”  Although this is a prevalent phrase found in many Recognized and Generally Accepted Good Engineering Practices (RAGAGEP), I have found it to be one of serious debate, and it should NOT be.  First, lets see how dictionaries officially define the phrase: at least 1. not less than; at the minimum. “clean...

Many folks think they are far and away from having a formal Hazard Identification process in place.  But in reality, if they are auditing their “compliance” with OSHA/Safety standards, they are in phase 1 of a Hazard ID exercise.  As I like to say, we must DEFINE and QUANTIFY our safety expectations to MEASURE and VALIDATE their effectiveness.  OSHA standards do this by defining...

COMPREHENSIVE HAZARD IDENTIFICATION is key to effective risk management. The RISK arising from a HAZARD that has not been identified cannot be managed.

“…if you do not manage human error, human error will manage the organization, always at great cost and often at great danger.” James Reason – Video Series, Managing Human Error

The appreciation that a person makes of the situation depends mainly on the following four elements: the nature of the information available personal experience, which results in personalized mental models, and a library of configurations that the brain recognizes. the purpose of his current work: if the operator is focused on the resolution of an incident, he will be acutely aware of all the information...

Managers shall demonstrate leadership for safety and commitment to safety. The senior management of the organization shall demonstrate leadership for safety by: … HomeRead More »

As you know by now, I am a doer, and as a safety professional, I grew up in organizations with some advanced SMS.  Then the tides turned, and I was hired to come in and build an SMS and coach on building a culture of safety.  Now, as a consultant, I spend a lot of time working with organizations to strengthen/build a process safety management (PSM) system or an Occupational Safety and Health...

This approach will work in industrial workplaces as well!  In fact, I would bet that DOT stole this approach from the industrial safety movement.  Regardless of who gets credit, it is refreshing to see the transportation community embrace the Safe System Approach as an effective way to address and mitigate the risks inherent in our enormous and complex transportation system. It works by BUILDING...

I am not quite sure how so many managers/executives came to believe that an improperly maintained fire extinguisher can NEVER be an actual hazard.  Most of us in the safety arena have seen the videos and news/case reports of workers dying from a catastrophic failure of a fire extinguisher.  But so many managers can not understand the impacts that a failed fire extinguisher inspection/testing...

All great Safety Management Systems of my time have been built on the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model.  And although all of the stages of this PDCA model play a crucial role in the success of the SMS, the one that is most often overlooked is the CHECK stage.  This CHECK is intended to validate/verify the SMS activities are generating the results we desire.  Many will associate the CHECK...

OSHA is asking for stakeholder input on their current use of leading indicators and their impact on managing their safety and health management systems. Leading indicators are proactive and preventive measures that can provide insight into the effectiveness of safety and health activities and reveal potential problems. They are vital in reducing worker fatalities, injuries, illnesses, and financial...

I do not know who the original genius is that came up with these seven (7) statements, but as a safety professional, I can certainly relate.  I have always said creating a culture of safety is a lot like raising children.  I can now see it is also a lot like raising crops. Do not shout at the crops. Do not blame the crop for not growing fast enough. Do not uproot crops before they’ve...