Hazard Management

1. Ways to Improve the Hazard Management Process Hazard Management

2. Get Educated • Find opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills: • Take TSI’s Rail System Safety Training Course • Participate in training at the rail transit agency • Read and understand the rail transit agency’s rulebook • Shadow key rail transit agency positions • Look for additional training opportunities

3. Formalize the SOA Role • Require monthly or quarterly reports or meetings • Document processes in the Program Standard • Ensure the SSPP and related procedures also document these processes • Monitor corrective action plans

4. Meet with RTA Executive Leadership • Explain program requirements and solicit support for implementation • Educate top management on the purpose of the program • Explain the SOA’s role in the hazard management process and Part 659 requirements • Discuss and assess upper management’s commitment to the hazard management process

5. Assess and Clarify the Hazard Management Process with the RTA • Hold a meeting with key players from: • Safety • Operations • Engineering • Quality Assurance • Maintenance • Planning and Development • Construction Services • Executive Management • Contractor Representatives

6. Assess and Clarify the Hazard Management Process with the RTA • Collect each department’s understanding of the RTA’s hazard management process and identify • Roles and responsibilities • Key procedures and protocols • Resource commitments

7. Assess and Clarify the Hazard Management Process with the RTA • Review hazard management process requirements as documented in the Program Standard • Identify the “Who” in the process: • Who is responsible to identify and report hazards • Who is responsible to analyze hazards • Who is responsible for determining the actions to be taken • Who is responsible to implement these actions • Who will track hazard mitigation and elimination efforts • Who will verify hazard resolution • Who will communicate results back to the original reporter

8. Assess and Clarify the Hazard Management Process with the RTA • Review hazard management process requirements as documented in the Program Standard • Identify the “What” in the process: • What are the methods for identifying hazards • What protocols and procedures are in place for reporting • What tools will be used to analyze hazards • What tool will be used to track hazards through resolution

9. Assess and Clarify the Hazard Management Process with the RTA • Review hazard management process requirements as documented in the Program Standard • Discuss the “When” and the “How”: • When are hazards reported to the Safety Department • When are hazards reported to the SOA • How does the RTA encourage employee participation • How does the RTA treat employees that report hazards • How are employees trained in hazard management • Revise procedures and protocols as necessary to gain buy-in

10. Participate • In Safety Committee Meetings where hazard are discussed • In Rule Committees where rule changes are discussed • Request to be carbon copied on special orders and operating bulletins • Provide available resources to the RTA • Assist RTA in evaluating potential safety issues and concerns in developing rule revisions

11. Spend Time Onsite • Become familiar with the RTA and its employees • Observe activities in shops and yards, on the right of way, in the control center, and other work sites • Observe in the field training • When a hazard is identified, actively follow-up to ensure the RTA is following procedures • Observer how the RTA conducts accident investigations

12. Use Every Available Source • Ensure the RTA is using all available sources to identify hazards • Passenger reports and complaints • Data mining of control center logs and maintenance management systems • Special orders and speed restrictions • Employee reports • Review of unusual occurrence reports • Safety statistics reports • RTA internal audit reports • Facility inspection reports • Efficiency/proficiency testing results • Accident investigation results

13. Formal Analyses • Formal Analyses can identify hazards that are not visible to the naked eye. Examples include: • Job Safety / Hazard Analysis (JSA / JHA) • Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) • Workplace Risk Assessment and Control (PHA/WRAC) • Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP) • Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) • Event Tree Analysis (ETA) • Level of Protection Analysis (LOPA) • Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) • Human Error Analysis (HEA)

14. Trust Through Verification • Verify key elements that ensure effectiveness of the hazard management program. Verify: • Safety Department and Safety Committee are performing hazard evaluation and categorization activities • CAPs are developed to address identified hazards and identify individuals responsible for implementation • Safety Department follows-up on outstanding CAPS

15. Develop Tools • Use technology to support the tracking of hazards and to help in their identification and management • Email, websites,1-800 services • Excel spreadsheets • Intranet-based systems • Access databases