People, machines, processes, and systems, can all
be considered as resources that your company uses in the course
of its business. All of these types of resources require some form
of management or coordination. The CIRSMA™ system refers to
management/coordination activities as “Administration”.
The Resource Administrator module is used to manage
human
and system
resources. Typically a resource administrator will oversee the activities
of all resources that are utilized by the company. however, there
may be some situations where resources are managed by several entities.
In either case the ultimate responsibility for the health and safety
of workers belongs to the user of the system or process. Below are
two examples how the system is used to manage system resources:
- Example 1:
Where machinery is purchased from a supplier the user would be
considered as both the System Resource Administrator and the Human
Resource Administrator. This scenario differs slightly from
Example 2 in that the protective measures associated with the
safe use of the system, are wholly the responsibility of the Human
Resource Administrator (user). In this scenario it is imperative
that the user clearly communicate their expectations to the manufacturer
before the machinery is manufactured. As with Example 2, verification
of the protective measures will ensure that the user’s expectations
have been met.
- Example 2:
Machinery could be supplied and maintained by a company that is
not the user of the machinery. In this case ensuring adequate
reliability of the engineering controls, or the safeguarding systems,
relies on communication between the System Resource Administrator
and the Human
Resource Administrator. In this example, two resource administrators
would exist and each administrator would have different safety
obligations. Initially a risk assessment would have been performed
and validated by the System Resource Administrator (supplier)
of the machinery prior to allowing the system to be deployed in
the user’s facility. Often the assessment would have gone through
several iterations during the equipment manufacturing process.
Prior to using the machinery the Human Resource Administrator
will verify that the risk associated with using the machinery
is acceptable. If the risk is found to be unacceptable, the additional
protective measures may be implemented by either the System Resource
Administrator, (supplier), or the Human
Resource Administrator(user).
In all scenarios, extensive communication between all parties is required.
User involvement, early in the risk assessment process can help
to prevent injuries and avoid costly safeguarding changes required
as a result of the verification process.
