Why is accident tracking alone insufficient for assessing the effectiveness of process safety management?

Accident tracking alone is insufficient for assessing the effectiveness of process safety management primarily because it does not account for near misses. Near misses refer to incidents that could have resulted in accidents but did not, often due to luck or timely intervention. These incidents are crucial indicators of potential hazards and underlying safety issues within a process. By focusing solely on recorded accidents, organizations may overlook significant risks that could lead to future incidents.

Assessing process safety management requires a more comprehensive approach that includes analyzing near misses to understand the broader safety landscape. This approach enables organizations to proactively identify and mitigate risks before they result in actual accidents, thus enhancing overall safety performance. Incorporating near miss data into safety assessments allows teams to learn from close calls and implement preventive measures, promoting a culture of safety and continuous improvement.