Posted By Chris Jerman
Leigh

Here's some advice on SSOW for, as you declared, the lay-person. Think of them as a recipe.

Start with an overview of what the situation is
Explain what will be needed -eg equipment, other procedures, particular restrictions and advance notice of anything that needs to be done now, for later.

Then go in steps, only highlighting the things that must be done. SSOWs are NOT lists of do's and dont's. They're lists of do's. Never use negative imagery like people doing daft things. The level of detail is dependant on the complexity of the task in fairness. But try to stick to one side of A4 if you can - people will skip to the end otherwise. Now obviously, it should be preceded by a risk assessment that says what the problem is - the SSOW should largely counter that problem, or it's all been a bit of a waste - OK?

Seriously, go read a recipe: It will tell you about the end product, give you a list of ingredients, tell you what order to put them together in, give advance warning of pre-prep ie put the oven on! and explain a few trouble shooting items. It won't say at the end, now put the oven on. It 'Be careful not to burn the cake' See the idea? Don't use the following:
Don't, Be careful, Avoid, Should, Remember, Use caution. OK- stick to simple straight phrases, use MUST when you mean it has to be done. Don't tell people to 'be careful. Say, the edge is sharp and can cut fingers if touched. Put on gloves before handling blade etc etc.

If it's not worth saying, leave it out. The difference, largely, between a SSOW and a standard operating procedure is that really the ssow is just the safe bit distilled. If you go bigger and write a procedure on something, you can chuck in the quality bits, environmental stuff etc etc.

Hope that helps some.

Chris

Posted By Terry Smyth
Leigh
Fire fighters are generally well versed in Health and Safety; They work using the Safe Person Concept, identifying risk at strategic, systematic, and dynamic risk assessment levels.
The national occupational standards for fire fighters on familiarisation visits, sometimes known as "4(2)D" visits require fire fighters to be conversant with they layout and the undertakings of business premises within their station ground area.
I believe it would be more beneficial to give an overview of the processes within your area and have a guided tour highlighting the emergency arrangements and safety management systems in each area.
Having been a fire fighter for 30 years, I can confirm has proved to be of interest rather than listening to a presentation.
Fire fighters will ask plenty of questions.
I hope this is of some help/

Regards


Terry

Posted By Chris Jerman
Let's not forget that a firefighter's day is not merely restricted to putting out blazing factories. There are drills, equipment checks and prep, mundane activities such as maintenance and training. I spent 4 years with fire and rescue teams (granted not the 30 years as with my fellow poster)and it was clear that the hands on 'to the rescue' stuff was well taped. But the more mundane issues were in fact responsible for a significant number of injuries.

So I agree with the others' views but your question was about SSOW and how to write them - not whether you could do it differently or not. No matter how you approach their safety, you ARE obliged to be able to prove that you have an identified system of working AND that it is safe.

Regards all

C

Posted By Chris Jerman
Good point, well made Ian.
I think that once threads reach a certain length or age, they naturally spin off into other issues. Can we have a 'make this a new thread' button?


One thing that I did miss out was the reason for avoiding the negatives in any system of work. I had someone proudly present me with their efforts re a SSOW. I read it with interest. "OK" I said at the end, "So exactly how do I do the task safely?' They replied "Well it's all there." When I went through it with them, they realised for themselves that they had just 'trained' me in all the things that I shouldn't do.

So whether an SSOW, SOP, SWP or basic instruction. The need to positively reinforce is paramount, especially if you wish to rely on it later as evidence!

NEW thread - what exactly is training then? How is it different to instruction - are they both merely delivery methods for elements of competency or something in their own right. Is teaching different to training?

Not sure I've got the strength. (:{

C