Comments

  • Is 'human error' ever acceptable as a cause?
    I think Jan has also been reading Sydney Dekker's book where he advocates putting "human error" in quote marks because it is an attribution we use after the event!
    "Human error" is a cop out for a PCBU that failed to think about the human factors, the performance-shaping factors, that might contribute to some variation from the intended outcome.
    The trouble is that almost nobody is trained in human factors or dealing with the performance-shaping factors. And too many HSPs are in that category.
    By the way, how many readers own a copy of IEC62508:2015 "Human aspects of dependability"?
  • Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and SMS - no health included.
    Which SMS is the CAA talking about? I can't think of any SMS that doesn't refer to health. And if NZ aviation businesses decide to use ISO45001 they will have to include health (see clause 6.1.2.1) - or explicitly say it has been excluded. That will then lead to the need to explain and justify the exclusion.
    Health is surely an operational matter.
    I look forward to talking to CAA people in one of the NZISM Masterclasses on ISO45001!
    I think that all the major SMS in current use are likely to be withdrawn now that ISO45001 has been published. Standards Australia has already flagged AS/NZS4801 as an "aged standard" for withdrawal. The ILO had a major hand in developing ISO45001 so its standard document will go. Similarly, OHSAS and others.
    Plus ISO45001 is in the ISO "family" of management system standards so it is very compatible with ISO9001 (surely the basis of best practice in running an aviation business?).
  • Can broad working conditions constitute a H&S risk?
    Yes.
    I merged a diagram from each to summarise aspects of both documents and it shows nicely how the job, organisation and individual worker can interact to result in poor outcomes.
  • Sources of reliable information
    Thank you, helpful comments
  • Can broad working conditions constitute a H&S risk?
    These are surely performance shaping factors. See the HSE guide "Reducing error and influencing behaviour"and the IEC standard 62508 "Human aspects of dependability". They directly affect the individual workers, the job and the organisation.
  • Conveyor safety query (on behalf)
    Try the joint/international standard AS/NZS ISO 4024.3610:2015. Safety of machinery - Conveyors - General requirements from Standards New Zealand. It:
    "Provides guidance and clarity in applying the principles articulated in the AS/NZS 4024 series of standards to conveyors. It sets out the minimum lifecycle safety requirements for conveyor systems and is intended to be used in conjunction with other conveyor Standards in the AS 4024 series by all persons that design/modify, manufacture, supply, install, commission, operate, maintain or dismantle conveyor systems. The objective is to protect workers and other persons against harm to their health, safety and welfare through the elimination or minimization of lifecycle risks associated with conveyor systems."
    There are other parts to the standard that give more detailed guidance.