Plugging the Gap between Safety Documents and Workers Perception, to Prevent Accidents at Seveso Establishments

Abstract

At “Seveso” establishments, Safety Report SR and Safety Management System SMS have been mandatory for many years. At most small and medium size enterprises, the complex documents underlying SR and SMS are managed by specialists, which are very far from daily operation. The gap between safety documents and real operation may be a major drawback for a successful SMS and must be plugged. The study of near misses may be exploited to revive documents and involve much more workers in plant safety. Here a new method for near misses management is presented, based on the digital representation of the safety documents and tested in the framework of the mandatory inspections, required by the Seveso Legislation.