Developing Corrective Actions

When any deviations (risks/violations) are detected, the first question that arises is: \"What should we do about this?\". This triggers a brainstorming process — sometimes individual, sometimes group-based — aimed at analyzing the causes of the deviations and developing effective corrective measures. We will not focus on root cause analysis methods here; instead, we will assume that the causes have already been identified and are systemic. For example, if we are talking about a hose for flushing process piping lying in the path of personnel, simply moving it out of the way might lead to the surprise of finding it back in the same spot tomorrow, waiting for a potential victim. In this case, it is necessary to understand: why does it appear there every time? And are there similar locations? By answering these questions, we not only solve the problem at its root but also prevent it from occurring elsewhere.

However, there are deviations and risks where brainstorming is truly necessary, and multiple courses of action must be considered. One tool that we actively and effectively use is the \"Hierarchy of Controls,\" which acts as a \"funnel\" through which we pass our problem, sequentially moving through each level of the hierarchy to determine the most suitable measures.

When determining measures, it is extremely important to go through all levels from top to bottom:

Once a set of measures is defined, we select those that are most suitable for us. You can implement several types at once: \"Engineering Controls\" + \"PPE,\" or \"Substitution\" + \"Administrative Controls.\" However, you must choose truly appropriate ones, considering the balance between effectiveness and investment. In some cases, engineering solutions alone are sufficient, while in others, administrative measures may suffice. The main goal is to eliminate the risk.