The document discusses key concepts for safety in the work environment including the three elements of procedures, equipment, and personnel. It also outlines the five steps of classic risk management which are hazard identification, evaluation, prioritization, control, and monitoring. An effective safety officer understands both theory and practical application of these concepts to achieve a safe workplace.

1. Chapter 2 Safety Concepts

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Safety in the Operational Environment (con’t.) 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

9. Figure 2-2 A sample SOP index.

10. Figure 2-3 A sample SOP format.

11. Safety in the Operational Environment (con’t.) Equipment Least important factor in operational triad of procedure, equipment, and personnel Selection and use factors: Department mission External influences Maintenance The right equipment

12. Safety in the Operational Environment (con’t.) 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

13. Safety in the Operational Environment (con’t.) Equipment (con’t.) External influences: focus on required equipment OSHA regulations NFPA standards NIOSH, ANSI, and UL

14. Safety in the Operational Environment (con’t.) 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

15. Safety in the Operational Environment (con’t.) Equipment (con’t.) The right equipment Personal protective equipment: be aware of the thermal protective performance (TPP) rating Apparatus Tools Station equipment

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

17. Safety in the Operational Environment (con’t.) Personnel Three factors contribute to a person’s ability to act safely Training Health Attitude

18. Safety in the Operational Environment (con’t.) 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

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

20. Safety in the Operational Environment (con’t.) 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

21. Safety in the Operational Environment (con’t.) 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

22. Safety in the Operational Environment (con’t.) 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

23. 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

24. 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

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

26. Risk Management (con’t.) 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

27. 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.

28. Risk Management (con’t.) 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

29. 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

30. 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