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Building component 2

Safety risk management

2.1 hazard identification

In looking for hazards, a good starts to look for them against each element of SMS and ask the question, ‘which ones do we do well and which ones require improvement?’

For this element management need to;

  1. Create opportunities where hazards are identified and understand the context of the hazard
  2. List all hazards in a Hazard register.
  3. Look at normal operations and consider where there are Proactive hazards with potential to cause harm.
  4. Register all hazards and appropriately organise them
  5. Consider the hazards identified from other sources and how they may be applicable to the organisation
  6. Consolidate all Hazards as part of SMS documentation

Consider the following example that looks at Reactive hazards:

Basic Hazard Risk Analysis Spreadsheet example

Consider the following example from EHSTA that looks at Proactive hazards and subdivides them into:

  1. Staff –  Regulations (RH)
  2. Human Factors (FH)
  3. Mission Environment (ENV)
  4. Maintenance (TEC)
  5. Arial Missions (MSN)

Proactive Hazard Identification example

Hazard identification is an ongoing process that requires an annual review.

2.2 Safety risk assessment and  mitigation

Using the Reactive and Proactive Hazards registers, they are now required to be analysed and evaluated.

For this element management must;

  1. Consider existing controls and analyse the hazards to establish the level of risk for each.
  2. Evaluate if the risks are ALARP and tolerable to management
  3. If not, apply controls or management strategies to make them ALARP and tolerable
  4. Treat the risks by setting actions items, responsible persons, timelines and review points for each risk assessment.
  5. Allocate tasks to ensure risk management treatments are carried out
  6. Monitor and review the Risk management for effectiveness
  7. Communicate and consult with the workforce about the risks

Basic hazards will usually be reactive, often blurring into the realm of WHS with relatively obvious treatment. Transitioning into Proactive hazards can require more consideration. Transparent, inclusive and collaborative communication is the most effective way to identify and treat proactive hazards.

Consider a continuation of the reactive hazards identified above:

Basic (Reactive) risk Analysis example

Consider a continuation of the EHEST Proactive hazards identified above:

Proactive Risk Analysis example

Predictive hazards

Most organisations are data rich, but intelligence poor.
As the SMS becomes established, organisations should look for trend analysis. This is with the aim to become  predictive in the approach to risk management.  This is the Hallmark of a Generative organisation.

Consider following Examples that employ greater analytical analysis in looking for safety trends;

  • Safety-Database This is effectively a means of capturing all parameters associated with each incident report.  The data can be manipulated, pivoted or analysed to identify trends.  The trends can be used to predict or generate where the next incidents/accidents may come from.
  • Undesirable-Events-Example  This database works off known/identified areas of risk that could result in Undesirable Events (UEs).  The phase of mission that UEs could have effect is individually considered. Each UE is then analysed and evaluated to identify causal factors.  There may be multiple hazards that cause the UE and therefore multiple defenses evaluated for mitigation.
  • Example Use of FDAP

In using these tools or similar type analysis, organisations can identify ‘Hotspots’ where undesirable events are regularly occurring.

NOTE:  Safety Database and Undesirable Events are from the European Helicopter Safety Team. As such they have a largely helicopter-centric focus. Organisations should use them as examples for guidance and adjust content to their own circumstances.

More complex operations consider the use of IT tools in SMS to become most effective in working towards being a Generative safety organisation. There are multiple commercially available solutions for this. One example is the use of a system such as Air Maestro from Avinet.

Other examples of integrated IT solutions include Coruson or Q-Pulse by Ideagen, or FlightPro by Ocean software

NOTE: Use of complex IT tools and solutions is NOT a prerequisite to being a Generative safety organisation.

Risk Management Plans / Safety Cases

When there are multiple hazards and risks associated with an operational activity, Risk Management Plans (sometimes called Safety Cases) are appropriate. Exercise 5 is a practical example of a Risk Management Plan.

Examples of Predictive data use in aged care facilities

  • Monitoring of UTIs to give an indication of dehydration in residents
  • Monitor of falls (indicating residents being unstable), which in turn is an indication of UTIs
  • Weight loss related to nutrition and hydration  indicating carers attitudes to resident nutritional intake
  • Falls of residents relative to shift, wing, supervisor, resident
  • Chronic wound management  as an indication of training for carers
  • Document control – tracking which forms are going to what facility for what reason?
  • Performance dashboard for comparison with other nursing home performance