An article titled, “The Hierarchy of Influences: An Upgrade To The Hierarchy of Controls” was co-written by Karly St. Aubin, GSP and Robert Pater, and appears in February’s PSJ – Journal of the American Society of Safety Professionals.
The authors propose that in order for leaders to expand, it’s critical they be open to questioning – and then strengthening – pre-existing paradigms. Not just reflexively thinking and doing the same without updating old ways.
In moving towards global-class Safety performance and culture, the authors suggest that a significant aspect of our Safety leadership role is to both make work environments and tasks as safe as possible AND to plan and implement strategies and methods for combining highest-level all-encompassing participation and expertise towards Safety.
The article states that in the authors’ opinions, though the traditional Hierarchy of Controls is well-intentioned and accepted within the Safety profession, that it is limited. So they suggest it’s time to refresh and expand – not replace – it to further its impact both towards preventing injuries and supporting higher level Safety culture.
This article includes:
• The Lower Limits of the Hierarchy – assumptions on which the traditional Hierarchy of Controls is based that may not be fully valid in current times
• The Limits of Direct Control – recognizing why focusing on “control” can actually create an obstacle to higher level Safety performance and culture
• Recommendation? Expand the Hierarchy of Controls to a Hierarchy of Influences – how to incorporate Safety cultural and human factors contributors towards global-class Safety performance and culture.