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HSE

Understanding and leveraging the benefits of reflexes offers a powerful opportunity to prevent serious injuries. (Image source: SafeStart)

When discussing risk management and workplace safety, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is often regarded as the last line of defence. This traditional approach, doesn’t account for the most basic protective measures, especially those involving mechanical or kinetic energy.

The role of reflex actions in preventing incidents is a critical factor which is often overlooked. Understanding and leveraging the benefits of reflexes offers a powerful opportunity to prevent serious injuries and fatalities in the workplace.

The traditional model of safety management follows the hierarchy of controls, which places PPE as the last line of defence, a final measure after other controls have failed. However, in certain cases, PPE functions as an escalation control, protecting workers after an incident has already begun. Seat belts, fall arrest harness and similar gear do not prevent accidents but aim to reduce the severity of injuries once an error has occurred. While PPE plays an important role, reflex actions serve as the true last line of defence and the first line of protection in many scenarios.

The Bowtie Model helps illustrate this by mapping sources of hazardous energy—whether mechanical, chemical, thermal, electrical, or biological—and categorising controls into prevention and mitigation. In most cases (over 90%), mechanical or kinetic energy is the source of serious workplace injuries and fatalities, and as a result reflexes or whether the person will get the benefit of their reflexes becomes a critical factor in terms of the potential severity of the outcome. Outside the controlled work environment, where situations are more unpredictable, reflex actions often determine the difference between a close call or near-miss and a fatality. For instance, a reflexive movement could help a pedestrian avoid being hit by an oncoming vehicle.

Traditional safety practices tend to focus on high-risk activities through rules, procedures, and PPE. However, the majority of serious incidents occur during medium or low-risk tasks. Data from over 400 fatal workplace incident reports shows that 47-71% of these fatalities could have been avoided or lessened had the workers benefited from reflexive responses.

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The data also reveals that in over 95% of incidents, the unexpected event that caused the injury stems from the individual themselves. Whether it’s due to rushing, fatigue, frustration, or complacency, human factors play a critical role in workplace safety. Reflexes are key to mitigating incidents in these medium to lower-risk scenarios, where more traditional controls may not be as effective.

The role of reflexes in preventing serious injuries

Reflexes are innate to humans and tested at birth to ensure they function properly. However, whether someone gets the benefit of their reflexes is influenced by human factors such as rushing, frustration, fatigue and complacency, which can cause eyes not on task and mind not on task. If a person’s mind is not on task due to complacency, their reflexes can still help prevent accidents, even if the reflex is a bit slower. But if their eyes are also off task, then they might not get a reflex at all, which can significantly increase the risk of a serious injury or fatality.

Certs Card Back NEW 01External factors like technology can exacerbate the issue. Mobile phones and fast-paced environments condition our brains to experience shorter bursts of focus, leaving us vulnerable to distractions.

This highlights the importance of critical error reduction techniques, such as self-triggering on states like rushing, frustration and fatigue, as individuals can feel and identify these states in the moment and then quickly think about keeping their eyes and mind on task. Complacency, on the other hand, is more passive and harder to detect.

One way to counteract complacency is to build strong safety-related habits, such as maintaining visual awareness before moving hands, feet, body or machinery. These habits ensure that employees will still get the benefit of their reflexes even if their minds are not on task, because they will still be looking at what they are doing.

At an organisational level, addressing human factors is crucial for reducing incident rates. Employers can help by ensuring workers have adequate rest, hydration, and a work environment that minimises unnecessary stress. When examining the Bowtie Model, it becomes clear that human factors like rushing, frustration, fatigue, and complacency need to be considered along with the various forms of hazardous energy as these factors lead to critical errors such as "eyes not on task" and "mind not on task," which can severely impact reflexive responses. By understanding and implementing critical error reduction techniques, organisations and individuals can add an extra layer of protection, leveraging reflexes as both a preventative and mitigation tool in workplace safety.

In conclusion, the role of human factors and reflexes and their significance as the real last line of defence and first line of protection has been largely overlooked in workplace safety. Organisations that focus on enhancing cognitive effectiveness and reflexive responses have a much better chance of preventing serious incidents or reducing their consequences.

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To explore the full insights from Larry Wilson and Dr Waddah S Al Hashmi on workplace safety and reflexes, read the complete article at https://ae.safestart.com/article/the-hierarchy-of-controls-and-the-bowtie-model/

Paul Burns, who heads corporate HSSE training at ACWA Power. (Image source: ACWA Power)

Paul Burns, who heads corporate HSSE training at ACWA Power, pens a piece for Health, Safety and Environment Review Middle East. Read on: 

There is a dual impact of HSE on people and businesses. At last year’s MENA HSE Forum, I emphasised the critical importance of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) practices in benefiting both individuals and businesses. Embedding comprehensive HSE strategies into an organisation's fabric is essential for transforming approaches to health and safety and enhancing business performance.

Robust HSE policies create a secure work environment for individuals, minimising risks and boosting well-being, job satisfaction, and productivity. Organisations also benefit from fewer disruptions, lower incident-related costs, reduced absenteeism, and enhanced reputation. 

It is important to enhance organisational culture and compliance through safety knowledge. At ACWA Power, 2023 marked a significant shift in HSE strategy, transitioning from traditional injury metrics to an accountability-driven approach. This realignment, focusing on people-based safety and proactive management, has been fundamental in embedding an advanced culture of safety and responsibility.

Safety training also empowers our workforce to identify potential hazards and take proactive measures – supporting regulatory alignment and promoting adherence to safety standards. At ACWA Power, a well-informed workforce is a crucial part of our organisational culture, instilling responsibility and collective awareness and making each member feel valued and integral to the process.

The role of the Internet of Things (IoT) and automation in HSE

These values of responsibility and inclusion are now significantly enriched by the Internet of Things (IoT) and automation. These technologies are revolutionising HSE operations by enhancing data collection, analysis, and response capabilities. Digital devices enable real-time monitoring of environmental conditions and employee health, facilitating initiative-taking risk management. 

Furthermore, automation technologies streamline safety processes, improve incident reporting accuracy, and minimise human error. ACWA Power's adoption of digital tools, including AI for data analysis, has set a new standard in data-driven safety management. Additionally,  Third-Eye AI at key ACWA Power sites has enhanced real-time hazard identification and intervention capabilities and provided greater reassurance and security while showcasing the potential of technology in improving safety.

Despite our progress, the MENA region faces significant HSE challenges, including diverse regulatory frameworks across countries and the need for improved safety awareness and training across industries. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration between government bodies, organisations, industry groups, and thought leaders. As a leader in the field, we are proud to partner with external bodies to share our expertise as thought leaders in HSE.

ACWA Power’s outlook and the future of HSE

Our ability to lead by example was borne out in hard evidence in 2023 – with the company accumulating 72 million man-hours and reducing the lost-time injury rate to 0.01. This is 22% lower than in 2022, with no fatalities. This progress enabled crucial project milestones and implementation of the Reliability of Supply framework, boosting consolidated power availability from 87% to almost 92%.

Looking ahead, HSE will evolve as an operational imperative through the integration of disruptive technologies. Sustainability and resilience will become central to HSE strategies, with organisations adopting holistic approaches that integrate environmental stewardship with traditional safety measures.

The MENA HSE Forum provided a valuable platform for sharing insights, exploring developments in HSE practices, and networking with industry leaders. As a sponsor and speaker, ACWA Power demonstrated its commitment to advancing HSE practices across the region.

The MENA HSE Forum serves as a crucial platform for tackling HSE challenges and unlocking new opportunities. Through ongoing collaboration, investment in technology, and a focus on safety culture, we can drive meaningful progress and ensure a safer, more resilient future for all.

A new safe HMI (SIL 3) will be introduced, providing an advanced, touch-enabled solution for displaying critical safety information. (Image source: Canva)

At InnoTrans, HIMA Group will present its digital safety solutions for the railway sector, including the Independent Open HIMA Safety Platform.

These solutions are designed to meet the needs of light, urban, and high-speed rail networks, focusing on safety, flexibility, and cost reduction.

HIMA will showcase its RaSTA implementation, which has been integrated into the Open Safety Platform, offering a cost-effective approach for SIL 4 railway automation solutions. The company will also feature solutions beyond safety, such as rail electrification and secure ecosystems.

Chris Elliott, global head of rail at HIMA, stated, “At InnoTrans, we are presenting holistic solutions based on our Independent Open Safety Platform, which avoids being tied to proprietary systems.”

HIMA’s solutions for traction power control, demonstrated through TrackLink SCADA, will also be on display. The company will highlight its mobile safety systems, including the TrackLink Overspeed Prevention System for tramways, and discuss cybersecurity challenges in collaboration with genua to ensure secure ecosystems for railway operations.

A new safe HMI (SIL 3) will be introduced, providing an advanced, touch-enabled solution for displaying critical safety information.

“At this year’s InnoTrans, we are presenting various new products and solutions with added value for our customers by enabling maximum flexibility, integration and cost efficiency,” said Jörg de la Motte, CEO of HIMA Group.

EHS software to grow by 6.7% in the next ten years, research shows. (Image source: Canva)

Each year, nearly three million people lose their lives due to work-related accidents or illnesses, with industrial and manufacturing plants posing significant risks from chemicals, explosives, and heavy machinery.

To address these hazards and enhance safety protocols, companies are increasingly adopting Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) software as a key tool to reduce workplace incidents.

According to global technology intelligence firm ABI Research, the EHS software market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.7% over the next decade, reaching US$2.2bn by 2034.

“Safety is an integral part of companies' Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, and it’s become a board-level priority. Businesses must demonstrate improvements in safety metrics, which can foster a stronger safety culture throughout the organisation. However, many industrial and manufacturing sites still rely on outdated paper-based data collection. EHS software allows companies to collect data, analyse it to establish a baseline, and track progress with visualisation tools,” said Michael Larner, analyst at ABI Research.

Employees urged to be part of the conversation

The chemical industry was among the first sectors to recognise the importance of refining safety processes, given the severe consequences of mistakes. However, other sectors such as oil & gas (CAGR 7.0%) and mining (CAGR 7.1%) are beginning to invest heavily in EHS solutions.

“EHS software is no longer limited to safety professionals. With innovations like capturing images via mobile devices, annotating them, and logging potential risks, more employees are encouraged and empowered to take an active role in improving safety within their facilities,” Larner said.

Companies such as Alcumus, ComplianceQuest, Cority, Dakota Software, Enablon, Ideagen, Intelex, IsoMetrix, SafetyCulture, Secova, TenForce, and VelocityEHS are helping businesses digitise their safety protocols and improve overall safety practices.

These insights are part of ABI Research’s analysis report Ensuring Worker Safety with EHS Software. This report is included in the company's Industrial & Manufacturing Markets research service, which provides analysis, data, and expert insights into key market trends.