Advanced Safety Management, 3rd Edition

ADDENDUM BMATHEMATICAL EVALUATIONS FOR CONTROLLING HAZARDS

William T. FineNaval Ordinance LaboratoryWhite Oak, Silver springs, MD1971

Abstract: To facilitate expeditious control of hazards for accident prevention purposes, two great needs have been recognized. These are for:

1. a method to determine the relative seriousness of all hazards for guidance in assigning priorities for preventive effort; and
2. a method to give a definite determination as to whether the estimated cost of the contemplated corrective action to eliminate a hazard is justified.

To supply these needs, a formula has been devised which weighs the controlling factors and “calculates the risk” of a hazardous situation, giving a numerical evaluation to the urgency for remedial attention to the hazard. Calculated Risk Scores are then used to establish priorities for corrective effort. An additional formula weighs the estimated cost and effectiveness of any contemplated corrective action against the Risk Score and gives a determination as to whether the cost is justified.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1. Introduction

Section

1. General
2. Definitions

Chapter 2. Formula for Evaluating the Seriousness of a Risk Due to a Hazard

1. General
2. The Formula
3. Examples
4. Summarizing Risk Scores
5. Results and Uses of Summary Risk Scores

Chapter 3. Formula to determine Justification for Recommended Corrective Action

1. General
2. The Formula
3. Criteria for Justification
4. Examples
5. Recommended Procedure for Using the “J” Formula
6. Exception to Reliance on the “J” ...