Continuous Improvement
In this module, we'll examine Continuous Improvement concepts that apply to all elements of the safety and health management system.
Since we're talking about "life and limb," continuous improvement of the Safety Management System (SMS) is all the more important to make sure all elements of the SMS are in place, top quality, and effectively maintained.
Important principles have evolved from companies that perform continuous safety improvement planning and implementation; they represent best practices in continuous safety improvement.
Below are continuous improvement best practices:
- Determine the current situation using objective (fact-based) data analysis, not subjective feelings.
- Set a goal to always address the root causes/system weaknesses. Assume root causes always exist.
- Focus work and resources on the people, machines, and systems that add value.
- Improve safety processes through continuous controlled experimentation using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) and other methods.
- Make decisions based on long-term systems improvement.
- Update or create standardized processes to reduce variation and waste, and promote continuous improvement.
- Employ partnering and knowledge-sharing within the company and with external suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
8-1. Which of the following is a key principle of continuous improvement?
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