How employers can help prevent SIFs: Campbell Institute releases white paper

Bonita Springs, FL — A new white paper from the Campbell Institute at the National Safety Council is intended to help employers implement programs for preventing serious injuries and fatalities.

Designing Strategy for Serious Injury and Fatality Prevention includes the perspectives of 11 institute members on developing their own strategies and long-term goals for SIF prevention. It details their use and evaluation of SIF metrics, tools and technologies, communication about SIF prevention program goals, and their organizational safety performance since implementing SIF prevention strategies.

NSC defines a serious injury as a permanent impairment or life-altering state, or an injury that – if not immediately addressed – will lead to death or permanent or long-term impairment. SIF precursors are high-risk situations where controls are broken, absent or not complied with. In a Feb. 11 press release, the council offers an example: Working at height is not a precursor, but doing so without fall protection is.

“We’re finding that organizations pursuing SIF prevention strategies have reached a level of maturity that goes beyond focusing on near misses and injuries to identifying the most severe risks,” Campbell Institute Director John Dony said. “Organizations working on SIF prevention are on the leading edge of protecting their workers. With workplace deaths at their highest levels since 2008, we want to share these best practices widely to save more lives.”

The paper – the institute’s second on the emerging safety trend – was released Feb. 11 during the Campbell Institute Symposium.