Prevention Through Design Gaining Momentum

Interest in ANSI/ASSE Z590.3-2011, Prevention Through Design (PTD): Guidelines for Addressing Occupational Risks in Design and Redesign Processes standard, continues to grow. The newly approved standard provides guidance on including PTD concepts within an occupational safety and health management system and can be applied in any occupational setting. The standard focuses on four key stages of occupational risk management: preoperational, operational, postincident and postoperational stages. By applying PTD concepts, SH&E professionals can help their employers achieve acceptable risk level; prevent or reduce occupational-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities; and reduce the cost of retrofitting to mitigate hazards and risks that were not sufficiently addressed in the design or redesign processes. “This standard supports and gives guidance for the well-established premise that occupational hazards and risks are most effectively and economically avoided, eliminated or controlled in the design and redesign process,” says well-known author and long-time PTD advocate Fred Manuele, P.E., CSP, who also chairs the Z590.3 Committee. Download ASSE’s Tech Brief on the standard here.