Chapter 02

Chapter 2

Safety Concepts

Objectives

• List the three elements that affect safety in the work environment

• Discuss the differences between formal and informal processes

• List the qualities of a well-written procedure or guideline

Objectives (con’t.)

• Discuss the external influences that influence safety equipment design and purchase

• List and discuss the three factors that contribute to a person’s ability to act safely

• Define risk management

• Identify and explain the five parts of classic risk management

Theory Versus Reality: An Introduction to Safety Concepts

• ISOs need both theory and reality – Theory: uncommon sense

• Recognized safety concepts

– Reality: common sense

• ISOs look at components of operational environment – Procedures, equipment, and personnel

Figure 2-1 Personnel, equipment, and procedures all play a role in defining safety in operations.

Safety in the Operational Environment

• Procedures– Strict processes with little or no flexibility– Formal (written) or informal (routine practices)– SOPs: standard operating procedures

• Guidelines– Adaptable templates that give widespread

application flexibility– SOGs: standard operating guidelines

Safety in the Operational Environment (con’t.)

• Sample standard operating procedure (SOP) topics:– Use of PPE and SCBA– Equipment maintenance– Risk/benefit principles– Highway and traffic safety at incidents– Accident/injury procedures and reporting– Incident scene accountability


• Qualities of a good SOP– Clear outline– Simple language– Clear direction– Tested technique– Easy interpretation– Applicability to many scenarios– Specific only on critical/life-endangering points

Figure 2-2 A sample SOP index.

Figure 2-3 A sample SOP format.


• Equipment– Least important factor in operational triad of

procedure, equipment, and personnel– Selection and use factors:

• Department mission• External influences• Maintenance• The right equipment


• Equipment (con’t.)– Department mission

• List types of incidents handled in jurisdiction• List equipment necessary to safely handle incidents• Check items that are essential• Note items that are nice to have


• Equipment (con’t.)– External influences: focus on required

equipment• OSHA regulations• NFPA standards• NIOSH, ANSI, and UL


• Equipment (con’t.)– Equipment maintenance

• Keep complete documentation of repairs and maintenance

• Maintain complete set of equipment guidelines regarding selection, use, cleaning and decontamination, storage, inspection, repairs, and criteria for retirement


• Equipment (con’t.)– The right equipment

• Personal protective equipment: be aware of the thermal protective performance (TPP) rating

• Apparatus• Tools• Station equipment

Figure 2-6 High-tech tools allow firefighters to work more safely and monitor their health.


• Personnel– Three factors contribute to a person’s ability to

act safely• Training• Health• Attitude


• Personnel (con’t.)– Qualities of an effective training program

• Clear objectives• Applicability to incident handling• Established proficiency level• Identification of potential hazards• Definition of acceptable risks• List of options, should something go wrong• Accountability to act as trained

Figure 2-8 Injury and death statistics suggest that essential training subjects be addressed.


• Personnel (con’t.)– Physical health support

• Annual health screening• Vaccination and immunization offerings• Employee assistance programs• Fitness determination and program• Nutrition education• Effective rehabilitation strategies


• Personnel (con’t.)– Mental health support

• Provide training of critical incident stress signs and symptoms

• Activate CISD (critical incident stress debriefing) team as necessary

• Include firefighter’s family in department events• Make EAP available for job stress or family issues


• Personnel (con’t.)– Attitude is affected by:

• Department’s safety culture• Department history of no duty-firefighters or

significant injuries• Department’s death or injury history• Example set by line officers or firefighters

– Attitude changes are slow and often emotional

Risk Management

• Risk– Chance of damage, injury, or loss

• Risk management– Process of minimizing chance, degree, or

probability of damage, injury, or loss– Most risk managers use a five-step process

called classic risk management

Risk Management (con’t.)

• Five-step risk management– Hazard identification

• Primary function of ISO

– Hazard evaluation• Frequency: probability that an injurious event can

happen• Severity: harmful consequence or cost associated

with injury or damage from a given hazard

Figure 2-10 A recognized hazard should be placed in one of these boxes based on the potential severity and frequency of the hazard.


• Five-step risk management (con’t.)– Hazard prioritization

• Divide hazard matrix into three classes

– Hazard control• Avoidance• Hazard transfer• Hazard adaptation: mitigation

– Monitoring hazards• Cyclic thinking

Figure 2-11 Once a hazard is classified in one of these boxes, a priority can be assigned to it. This helps the ISO juggle multiple hazards.


• Risk/Benefit thinking– Are the risks being taken by people worth the

benefit that can be gained?– A good ISO continually reassesses risk versus

benefit

Summary

• An effective ISO– Has a solid foundation in general safety

concepts and risk management– Appreciates the roles of workplace procedures,

equipment, and personnel– Achieves a safe workplace through evaluation

and improvement• Improvement in attitude is especially difficult

Summary (con’t.)

• Risk management– Process of minimizing chance, degree, or

probability of damage, injury, or loss– Most common approach: five-step classic risk

management model– Continual monitoring of tasks– Application of risk/benefit thinking

Business

Chapter 02