Posted By Ciaran McAleenan John, I have set out a model below that I know has received boardroom approval in the past. You may find some of it to be very basic, but in the interests of success keeping it simple usually works. So here goes; Operation and Control Model Don’t start with the identification of the hazard, rather you should go to the real starting point; that is the work operation. Many systems start with the hazards and lose sight of what is important because the focus is too narrow. Your objective has to be 'a safe outcome to a successful work operation' and in that you start to look at anything that will prevent you from achieving that aim. 'Assessment' is only one aspect of operational management and when viewed in isolation often fails to achieve the desired effect. The operational analysis and control (OAC) model is the way forward and is one that senior managers can identify with since it is concerned with the safety of the workforce without compromising the viability of the business. In this model you will integrate all aspects of your work operation safety, occupational health etc. The purpose behind the OAC model is to ensure that work operations are carried out in strict accordance with all relevant safe working procedures. In this way we can make sure that our people, plant and property is protected from harm prior to, during and after the work operation, regardless of the nature of the hazards faced. This emerging model is in three stages as follows; A. Operation 1. What can cause harm? (Look for the harm factors in the work operation itself, the workers, the materials, the machinery and plant, the public & visitors and the environment). 2. What are you doing about it? (Once you know what can cause harm you look for the controls that are needed to prevent that harm from occurring). 3. Is it enough? (At this stage, before embarking on the work operation consider whether you have done enough to prevent harm. If necessary seek specialist advice e.g. from trade or professional associations, manufacturers, your National Statutory Safety Body, other safety professionals etc). B. Manage 1. What has to be done? (Having carried out the analysis you must list what needs to be done to ensure a safe outcome to the work operation. E.g. have you made your employees aware of what can cause them harm and what they must do?, do you know what training they need?, are there written safety instructions? Does everyone know who is responsible and for what? etc). 2. What resources do you need? (Material, human, financial). 3. Make them available. (Some will be needed well in advance of any work operation. Build your controls into your budget and business plan). C. Review Believing that you have a safe workplace is a sure way of ensuring that you have not. Like every aspect of your work safety needs to be continually managed and improved, as necessary. Things can go wrong and you must be able to anticipate and act in advance to ensure that they don’t happen. Ask yourself the following questions: 1. What could go wrong? 2. How could it happen? 3. How would you deal with it? Should an accident occur use these three questions (the first two looking back to and the third looking forward to how to prevent the accident being repeated). If we do not always get it right there is no reason to give up or accept a lesser standard. Accepting accidents as inevitable is fatalistic. Our objective of integrating the highest standards of health and safety with improved business performance means that our end product/ service must be achieved in a manner that protects our employees and the public from harm. Operating to any less a standard will only guarantee this negative outcome and ensure that accidents continue. You can download a PowerPoint™ graphic of the Operational Analysis and Control Model from my website; http://www.web-safety.com/ Follow the links to the safety exchange, presentations and download the “5 Minute Safety Sideshow”. Let me know if I can help further. Regards Ciaran mailto:ciaran@confinedspaces.com

Posted By John Webster Many thanks for the input. I'll let you know how I get on on Friday. John