Part 2 of the Analyzing Workers’ Compensation Claims and Developing Loss Control Strategies Series

Overview and Objective

This article provides agencies with the tools necessary to use System Safety to analyze risks and exposures. The process of System Safety can also be valuable for agencies with few or no claims. System Safety and its components are defined and a System Safety Process flow chart is included. An example is also provided to analyze the risks and exposures presented by moving a 60-pound box of paper.

This is the second in a series of four articles regarding “Analyzing Workers’ Compensation Claims and Developing Loss Control Strategies.” Next month’s article will discuss developing loss control goals.

System Safety

The purpose of implementing System Safety techniques is to analyze a device or system (e.g., a piece of equipment, a hand tool, a hand-held power tool, a product, a process or an operation) in a proactive effort to prevent accidents from occurring.

"System Safety is the application of engineering and management principles, criteria, and techniques to optimize all aspects of safety." ¹ System Safety is a deliberate decision by management to prevent accidents from occurring in an operation, and is designed to lead to a safer, more effective organization.

This process can be applied before a new operation is started by identifying all potential risks. The operation can then be modified in order to eliminate the risks through engineering changes or administrative controls. This process should involve line workers, supervisors and managers.

Hazard controls can be implemented after the risks are identified. This may involve the creation and placement of safety devices or warning devices. There might be risks that cannot be eliminated but can be addressed by using engineering controls in a manner that will prevent an accident.

A fundamental principle of System Safety is the "Safety Order of Precedence." This is the elimination, control or mitigation of a hazard. The four components of Safety Order of Precedence are:

• A design that minimizes all risk


• Incorporation of safety devices


• Warning devices


• Standard operating procedure development and employee training

Primary goals and reasons to implement System Safety techniques include:

• Identify, control and document risks


• Evaluate and minimize risks


• Conserve resources


• Create an accident free-system

The System Safety technique as depicted in the graphic can be demonstrated by the following example: a 60-pound box will be moved from a storage room to a printer that needs paper. These are the steps and methodology used to analyze and improve any system.

Step 1

Define Objective. Move a 60-pound box of paper from a storage room on the same floor,
with no obstructions or change in elevation, to a printer without injury or change to the box.

Step 2

System Description. The system includes lifting the 60-pound box of paper, the travel
path from the storage room to the printer, the material handling cart and the employee
moving the box of paper.

Step 3

Hazard Identification. Hazards and consequences involved with moving a 60-pound box of paper include:

Hazard	Consequence
Back injury	Lost time injury to employee
Slip, trip and fall	Lost time injury to employee
Run into someone with loaded cart	Injury to either individual

Step 4

Risk Analysis. Hazards should be placed into a Risk Assessment Matrix to identify
the likelihood and severity of occurrence. The Federal Aviation Administration uses
the following Risk Assessment Matrix:

Step 5

Risk Assessment. The risks involved in moving a 60-pound box of paper are
prioritized based on severity:

1. Back injury


2. Slip, trip and fall


3. Run into someone with cart.

Step 6

Decision Making. Develop an action plan to address the three identified risks.

1. Back injury - Mitigate the risk by choosing an individual who is physically
   fit with no back injuries or physical restriction. The individual should know
   proper lifting techniques before moving the box of paper.


2. Slip, trip and fall - The route between the storage room and the printer
   will be surveyed for potential floor hazards before moving the box of paper
   with the cart. Identified floor hazards will be corrected and addressed
   appropriately. The individual moving the box will have proper footwear and attire.
   Safety procedures will be followed while moving the box of paper.


3. Run into someone with cart - The individual moving the box of paper with the
   cart will use a spotter. The spotter will walk ahead of the cart to inform people
   that a cart is coming and ensure that they stop or move aside.

Step 7

Validation and Control. Action plan was reviewed by management and by the two
individuals involved with moving the box of paper. The operation of moving the box
of paper with appropriate and trained individuals is performed. The moving of the box
of paper occurred with no accident or near miss incident.

Step 8

Modify System/Process. If a hazard is observed during the operation
that was not identified in Step 3, the process must be restarted. The
System Safety Process is to be re-entered at Step 3 with the new hazard and control
information and then the other steps are completed as required. This is a continuous
loop process so that with each loop completed, the system becomes more reliable.

Management must follow through with this process and communicate the new process information with all affected agency employees.

The first two articles in this series set the stage for analyzing risks and exposures through accident data analysis and an overview of System Safety techniques. The next step in analyzing workers' compensation claims and developing loss control strategies is the development of loss control goals. The third article in this series will explain how to develop loss control goals.

¹Harold E. Roland, Brian Moriarity (1990). System Safety Engineering and Management (2nd Ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Resource:

System Safety Process figures. "Risk Assessment Matrix," Retrieved April 12, 2004 at
http://www.asy.faa.gov/Risk/SSProcess/SSProcess.htm