Title: Automated Job Hazard Analysis
Facility: Hanford
Point of contact:
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Fluor Hanford (FH) uses Job Hazard analysis as the primary vehicle to integrate the Integrated Safety Management System Core Functions into work planning and execution. The Automated Job Hazard Analysis (AJHA) tool is used to achieve that objective. The FH
ISMS specifies requirements for the AJHA and delineates the approach for its integration with and implementation within the work management process. At the activity level, work management and ES&H management processes are integrated to focus on the necessary elements of work planning
and safety and environmental protection so that work can be conducted in a manner that ensures safety and environmental protection while optimizing productivity and efficiency. The AJHA is a fundamental element of work control for FH activities.
Why the best practice was used:
AJHA facilitates a team approach to job planning. This innovative approach has improved the quality and timeliness of work performance at Hanford. Employees are more involved and the exchange of information has allowed work planners to better describe the work
to be completed. This has decreased down time because workers are better prepared when they arrive at the work site.
WHAT THE BENEFITS OF THE BEST PRACTICE ARE
-
Systematic analysis of hazards associated with a defined scope of work
-
Identification of potential physical and environmental hazards
-
Identification of applicable standards and requirements associated with acknowledged hazards
-
Specifies the controls and actions necessary to mitigate the identified hazards
-
Facilitates a Team approach to job planning
-
Supports the feedback and lessons learned process through post job reviews and built in lessons learned information linkages
WHAT PROBLEMS/ISSUES WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE BEST PRACTICE
Computer technology is a rapidly changing/evolving industry. This evolution of hardware and associated software has required Hanford users to upgrade to a minimum of Windows 98 software and computers capable of operating at 200 Mhz.
Hanford has an ageing work force with the average age of workers around 48 years old. These ageing workers are somewhat resistant to computer based tools. This being the case, AJHA has been designed to be very user friendly. Many prompts and help screens guide
the novice user through the process in a manner that allows them to focus on the job being planned instead of what the computer is doing.
HOW THE SUCCESS OF THE BEST PRACTICE WAS MEASURED
The AJHA was first officially implemented in August 1998 under the authority of the site Job Hazard Analysis procedure. The overwhelming acceptance of the AJHA by the users during ISMS implementation (especially in the maintenance work control area) was beyond
expectations. An AJHA Team (user group) was immediately established to manage multiple and broad reaching requests. The various facilities and projects identified a point of contact (POC) for their operation. These Facility: personnel immediately promoted ownership of AJHA realizing
that the tool could address many challenges to improve hazard analysis and work management. Users quickly started requesting enhancements to AJHA for Facility: specific modifications to make the tool even more effective for their specific work. By the end of FY 2001, the AJHA was
expanded to include 29 Facility: specific applications with a growing list of additional enhancement and tailoring requests. To date over 10 thousand AJHA’s have been completed and there are approximately 1400 end users of the tool.
DESCRIPTION OF PROCESS EXPERIENCE USING THE BEST PRACTICE
The pre-job meeting is conducted with all the workers who are scheduled to perform the task in attendance. This meeting is generally facilitated by a Work Planner or a Person In Charge (PIC). If there is a large group in attendance a drop down screen and a
projection unit such as an InFocus are utilized with the computer. The computer program leads the group through the task identification, an extensive list of potential hazards that are discussed and selected as appropriate and agreed upon. The next step is reviewing the controls
selected by the program for the hazards identified. As hazards are identified triggers add the requirement of involvement of subject matter experts i.e. Industrial Hygiene, Radiation Protection, etc. The program will define the controls that assure compliance with regulations and
identifies them as mandatory. It also provides a listing of additional controls and space for special controls the team deems necessary. This assures a level of Safety and a feeling of involvement (ownership) for everyone working the task. The tool provides for a post job review and
lessons learned. Under development is an Activity Level Feedback Database which will further enhance the capability of AJHA
A Power Point slide show with narration exists on the Hanford VPP Home Page at
http://www.hanford.gov/safety/vpp/vppage.htm and takes approximately
ten minuets to view.
Hanford Contact:
For more information on this Program contact Mark Hermanson at (509) 376-2257
or Miles Jaeger at (509) 372-3576. or email them to
mark_l_hermanson@rl.gov, or
Miles_B_Jaeger@rl.gov
