Risk Analysis and Program Implementation in Safety Management

1 Risk Analysis and Program Implementation John Badoud Columbia Southern University OSH 5301 - Jerel Harris 11/18/2023

2 Risk Analysis and Program Implementation Identifying and abating risks and hazards is the focus of any safety professional, and the cost of those hazards is the main incentive for any organization to create a culture of safety within the workforce. The process of identification, evaluation and abatement of hazards is the principal behind risk reduction and the fundamental groundwork for hazard analysis. Hazard Analysis The two primary approaches to hazard analysis are the preliminary hazard analysis and the detailed hazard analysis. “A preliminary hazard analysis (PHA) is conducted to identify potential hazards and prioritize them according to the (1) likelihood of an accident or injury being caused by the hazard and (2) severity of injury, illness, or property damage that could result if the hazard caused an accident.” (Goetsch, Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers, and Managers). Often a preliminary hazard analysis is enough to identify primary hazards and begin the planning process to create protections. Additionally, a preliminary analysis is often more time efficient when developing a plan to triage the implementation of safety plans so the greatest risks, or most easily resolved risks can be addressed while a more detailed analysis of more complicated risks can be accomplished to prepare an effective plan. The use of a detailed risk analysis is often required to address problems that often have less obvious or simple solutions. As an example, if we look at the process for harvesting vegetables. During a preliminary risk analysis, we could identify several types of risk, including the long term muscular skeletal disorders from repeated movements and positional repetition,

3 along with sound hazards from heavy equipment. From this preliminary hazard analysis, we likely have enough information to determine that the organization would benefit from providing and implementing the use of hearing protection, some sort of gloves for hand protection and knee pads for joint protection. Further in-depth analysis can still be conducted, but these issues can be easily addressed. The preliminary analysis would likely not provide enough information to completely abate all of the muscular-skeletal risks from positional repetition. The implementation of a detailed risk assessment would be appropriate here. During the detailed risk assessment, it would be appropriate to collect data from existing internal and external sources; identify the specific historical trends and future predictions, develop a plan and select controls to minimize the risks through proven methods; and create a plan to audit the results of the implementation of that plan. In the example of vegetable harvesting, working through the detailed risk assessment would show that the implementation of a stretching routine at the beginning of the work shift could significantly reduce the number of muscular skeletal disorders. The development of a specific set of stretches to be done by workers at the beginning of each shift could be a low-cost, easily implemented part of the plan to address muscular skeletal disorders. Implementation of Safety Measures and Building a Safety Culture The identification and analysis of risks is a vital component of any safety program; however, it is only the first step in the process, and often the easiest step. The real work for a safety program comes during the implementation and follow through of any safety measure. For any safety measure to be successful, part of the plan needs to address the full cycle of

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4 implementation. The planning process needs to account for training in the new methods, encouraging open communication and feedback, room for flexibility and a continued effort toward improvements to the process based on information from new incidents, feedback, and newly available data. Going back to our vegetable harvesting example, after deciding to implement a stretching routine to reduce the occurrence of muscular skeletal disorders, the implementation phase should focus on a few factors; developing and implementing training, adjusting to feedback and challenges, and comparison of results and data. The first step of training should be published and marketed by management and supervisors at all levels to create as much buy-in as possible. The use of recognition and rewards for individuals and groups who embrace the movement should be flaunted to create an aura of excitement and desire to participate because ultimately voluntary participation and ground level organizational ownership in the program will make it the most successful. The follow up and audit step is the most important factor in continuous improvement and the longevity of the program. Follow up and checks will allow the safety team to improve participation and the effectiveness of the program through data comparison and analysis of human factors. In our vegetable harvester example, a continued analysis of reported injuries may help determine that stretches for additional muscle groups should be implemented while listening to feedback could show that policy or procedures need to be implemented to allow for paid time to participate in the stretching program. The vital follow up and audit phase should turn into a cyclic routine of adjustments and checks.

5 Summary One of the primary purposes of a safety program is to develop ongoing safety programs and procedures through the continuous process of hazard analysis and risk reduction. A properly implemented program considers balances the use of simple solutions that are identified through preliminary risk analysis and continued improvement of those analysis through detailed hazard analysis. With the proper marketing, training and follow up processes, a safety professional can create and maintain a culture of safety ownership throughout the organization, to be ultimately successful.

6 References: Goetsch, D. L. (2015). Part Five Management of Safety and Health. In Occupational Safety and health for Technologists, engineers, and managers (p. 601). essay, Pearson Education. Risk Assessment and Management for Safety Professionals . Risk assessment and management for Safety Professionals. (n.d.). https://www.assp.org/resources/risk-assessment-and- management-for-safety-professionals#:~:text=Risk%20assessment%20is%20a %20function,evaluate%20the%20risks%20they%20create.

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