RIVM 2015-0048: Guidance for inspection of Brzo companies. Indicators and the safety management system
[Source: RIVM, https://www.rivm.nl/publicaties/handreiking-voor-inspectie-van-brzo-bedrijven-indicatoren-en-veiligheidsbeheerssysteem ]
Summary
Companies that work with large quantities of dangerous substances must comply with specific regulations in order to prevent major accidents with a major impact on people and the environment. Recently, the law governing these companies, the Major Accident Hazards Decree (Brzo), has been amended. The new decree (Brzo 2015) introduces, among other things, the use of indicators which provide information about the safety of a company. They can help to assess the safety of companies.
In response to the change in the law, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has drawn up a guide to show inspectors which indicators are possible and how they can be used. Examples of indicators are the number of near misses, the actions taken in response to these and how often a company carries out maintenance actions. The indicators are not legally binding and companies are encouraged to draw them up themselves, so that they are tailored to their own production process.
This guide indicates what the indicators should be according to the latest scientific insights. It also gives examples of good and less good indicators. The Social Affairs and Employment Inspectorate (I-SZW, formerly the Labour Inspectorate) must assess whether a safety management system (SMS) is in place, whether it is tailored to the risks present, and whether it works well. The indicators can help with this. The indicators can also help companies show the government and citizens that safety is under control.
