Journal of System Safety
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Gains from Losses: The Importance of an Active and Robust Working Relationship Between System Safety and Engineering
No full textThe next few columns will address the importance of an active and robust working relationship between system safety and engineering. While the importance of this relationship is an often-stated axiom, post-accident assessments continue to cite causes reflecting shortcomings in system safety and engineering efforts that are rooted in either a lack of the basic exchange of knowledge or in the mutual utilization of that knowledge for the identification and control of project hazards and safety risk assessments
Design-Based Safety: Cybernetics Automation Technology
No full textCybernetics Automation Technology (CAT) is on the threshold of providing workerless mining, railroads, sawmills, ships, steel mills and all sorts of production facilities — maybe even management functions? The development of complex electronic control systems appears to be combining with machines to create automation that needs fewer people for normal operation. I wonder how many readers of this article are old enough to remember when elevators in department stores, public buildings, hotels and all multi-storied buildings were manned by human operators? How many devices in your home have automated your hand-labor functions? We take for granted the dishwasher, washing machine, clothes dryer, personal computer, wireless telephone and email. There are clues all around us showing the alarming changes in our global economy
TBD
Get PDFAs you have likely heard by now, there was recently a leak of MCHM (4-Methylcyclohexanemethanol) into the drinking water supply in the city of Charleston, West Virginia. It turns out that there was actually more than MCHM involved in the leak, but since the company failed to notify the authorities about the additional chemical(s), they weren’t included in the initial tests for water safety.
The leaking tank problem generated a lot of press because it caused such a large problem to the local community, shutting off the city’s water supply for many days. A couple of interesting problems have been highlighted in the news discussions. One of these was the lack of understanding of the hazards associated with the leaked material. Apparently, the best information available to emergency response personnel was obtained from the material safety data sheets (MSDS). Unfortunately, almost all of the important safety information was listed as “unknown.
President's Message: State of the International System Safety Society
No full textOur Conference in St. Louis, Missouri has come to a close and by all measures it was a success. We had good speakers, excellent technical papers, opportunities for training on timely topics and great social events that afforded excellent networking opportunities. It was profitable for the Society. These are important measures of success for the Society and its membership. We come together each year to present new ideas, to learn and develop professionally, and to build relationships within our industry that help us all succeed
Notes on Society History: Pathfinders of System Safety
No full textThe beginnings of “organized, formally documented” system safety occurred during the years 1956 to 1966. The origins of the System Safety Concept (SSC) are summarized in “Historical Note No. 1,” which can be found on page 21 of the Spring/Summer 2014 Journal of System Safety.
In my opinion, this transformation of this concept into practice can best be summarized through brief biographies of five of the early pathfinders of system safety who, each in their own unique manner, some 50 years ago, conceived and implemented activities which today form the basis of our current practice of system safety
System Safety in Healthcare: The Challenges of Sign-offs
No full textWith increasing demand for efficiency and productivity from a clinical team that’s often overworked and understaffed, provision of seamless patient care is challenging. Clinicians need to hand off — or sign off — essential information to the next provider to help transition care. An effective hand-off supports the transition of critical information, along with continuity of care and treatment. This article offers an overview of sign-offs, hazards and suggestions for quality improvement initiatives, as well as recommendations for potential remedies
A Lifetime Dedicated to Making Workplaces Safe
Get PDFDavid V. MacCollum, known for visionary achievements as a safety engineer, is being recognized for a lifetime of contributions in the safety profession.
Recently, during a reception in his Sierra Vista home, the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) recognized MacCollum by naming a $2,000 scholarship in his honor. In addition, he was presented with a plaque by Don Eshelby on behalf of the BCSP, a board dedicated to certifying practitioners in the safety profession. MacCollum’s presentation was made before members of the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)
Design-Based Safety: Scapegoats
No full textRare tragedies with terrible unintended consequences are usually preceded by a history of denial of a past series of related hazardous conditions. Thomas Bayes was a minister better known for his mathematical doctrine of chance, in which a number of similar hazards can become active at the same time to produce disaster. Civic leaders are usually unable to perceive how similar hazards can combine and create a colossal danger to the public. When noted authorities warn of danger and the need for costly safety features, community leaders often try to avoid imposing such costs on the community. When a tragedy does occur, those who could have made a difference often welcome an excuse to avoid accountability. That’s when a scapegoat becomes an acceptable choice