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Skip framework navigation to main content 1.0 Program Management
    1.2 Program Management Planning
        1.2.4 Develop Program Safety Plan
            1.2.4.1 System Safety
            1.2.4.2 Occupational Safety and Health
            1.2.4.3 Facility Safety

1.2.4 Develop Program Safety Plan


The Program Safety Plan is typically a subset of the overall Safety and Mission Assurance Plan (reference PBMA Section 1.2.2, Develop Overall Safety and Mission Assurance Plan). Some of the areas the Program Safety Plan may address include:
  • System Safety
  • Occupational Safety and Health
  • Facility Safety
  • Nuclear Safety - refer to PBMA Section 2.2.2.2, Nuclear Safety Launch Approval
  • Range Safety - refer to PBMA Section 8.1.4.2, Eastern and Western Range (EWR) 127-1 Range Safety
  • Software Safety - refer to PBMA Section 5.2.1.2, Develop Software System Safety Plan
See the following examples of safety plans in the PBMA Best Practices:
  • Safety Plan - Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP)
  • Project Safety Plan - Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Project
  • Safety Plan - Chandra (AXAF-I)
Agency Safety Initiative
 
The Agency Safety Initiative (ASI) is NASA's program to become the nation's leader in the safety and occupational health of our work force and the safety of the products and services we provide. The ASI establishes the NASA safety hierarchy - the order used to prioritize safety efforts. The safety hierarchy is:
  • First, safety for the public. We absolutely must protect the public from harm.
  • Second, safety for astronauts and pilots, because they expose themselves to risk in high hazard flight regimes.
  • Third, safety for the NASA workforce, because we owe it to our NASA workforce to provide them with a safe and healthful workplace.
  • Fourth, safety for high-value equipment and property, because we are stewards of the public's trust.
By focusing on the safety of NASA's mission and operations, we will improve quality and decrease cost and schedule.
 
For a listing of documents regarding Program Safety, refer to the Code Q, Office of Safety and Mission AssuranceLinks to a different Web site for Safety and Health Requirements.

See the following examples of safety plans in the PBMA Best Practices:

PBMA Video Nuggets on This Subject:

Useful information and assistance before you view movies

Jim LloydAgency Safety Initiative
Video :: Transcript
Jim Lloyd
Director, Safety and Risk Management Division, Office of Safety and Mission Assurance
Video Running Time -- 1:41

Jim BarrowmanProject Management Equals Risk Management
Video :: Transcript
Jim Barrowman
Former Explorers Program Manager and Former Deputy Director of Space Sciences (GSFC)
Video Running Time -- 0:49

1.2.4.1 System Safety


The Program Manager's system safety responsibilities are detailed in Chapter 3 of  NPG 8715.3, NASA Safety Manual w/Change 2  Among those responsibilities listed are the following:
  • Implement a tailored system safety and mission success activity based on the loss potential of the program and provide adequate resources to achieve the safety objectives.
  • Assign a System Safety Manager (SSM) in coordination with the Center Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) Director, to have specific responsibility for executing the system safety tasks within the project.
  • Implement and maintain the system safety and mission success planning portion of the risk management activity of the program plan with guidance and assistance from the local SMA organization. A separate stand-alone safety plan may be requested.
  • Perform system safety and mission success reviews of the program.
  • Establish a formal, closed loop, risk acceptance process to identify and track program hazards with residual risk.
  • Issue program directives, specifications, and standards that provide uniform and systematic application of safety policy and requirements.
  • Assign sufficient numbers of personnel of appropriate experience and skills to perform system safety tasks. Provide training when necessary.

Additional Program Manager's system safety responsibilities regarding the System Safety Plan (SSP) are listed in Appendix I of NPG 8715.3, NASA Safety Manual w/Change 2.

Software System Safety is addressed specifically in PBMA Section 5.2.1.2, Develop Software System Safety Plan.
 
System Safety Plan
 
Objective of System Safety:
"The principal objective of a system safety activity is to provide for an organized, disciplined approach to the early identification and resolution of hazards impacting personnel, hardware, or mission success to a level as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)." (NPG 8715.3, NASA Safety Manual w/Change 2, Section 3.3)
System Safety Plan (SSP):
 
Appendix I of NPG 8715.3, NASA Safety Manual w/Change 2 states that:

"The NASA program manager (or designee) will publish and maintain an approved System Safety Plan (SSP), appropriate to and for the life of the program. This plan may be incorporated in the more comprehensive safety and mission assurance plan, mission assurance plan, etc., providing the required data are identifiable and complete." Furthermore, Appendix I describes that the System Safety Plan:
  • Defines the objectives, responsibilities, and methods to be used for overall safety program conduct and control."
  • Is the vehicle for safety task planning? The SSP will include detailed task requirements for the system safety task as tailored from (NPG 8715.3) for the program.
  • Will stipulate hazard analysis methodologies, hazard report (HR) data and format requirements, and the approval reporting channels for HRs and their milestones.
  • Will address requirements for NASA and contractor participation in design, safety, and readiness reviews.
For a comprehensive discussion of the SSP, see the full text of Appendix I.
 
System Safety References:
  1. NPD 8700.1C, NASA Policy for Safety and Mission SuccessLinks to a different Web site
  2. NPG 8715.3, NASA Safety Manual w/Change 2
  3. MIL-STD-882D, DoD Standard Practice For System Safetyexternal link is an excellent additional resource regarding System Safety and System Safety Plans.
  4. System Safety HandbookLinks to an Adobe Acrobat PDF fileLinks to a page in a new window, Dryden Handbook, Code S

See the following examples of System Safety Plans in the PBMA Best Practices:

1.2.4.2 Occupational Safety and Health


Occupational Safety and Health is part three of the Agency Safety Initiative (ASI):
"Safety for the NASA workforce, because we owe it to our NASA workforce to provide them with a safe and healthful workplace."
Program managers, and all NASA management are responsible for the safety and health of employees. As stated in Chapter 2 of NPG 8715.1, NASA Safety and Health Handbook Occupational Safety and Health Programs w/Change 2:
"NASA Center Directors and the Associate Administrator for Headquarters Operations have the responsibility to ensure that the NASA occupational health and safety programs are effectively implemented and operated at their Centers and Component Facilities."
Ultimately then, program and project managers are responsible for supporting and promoting the Center Directors and SMA personnel in the implementation of occupational safety and health for the facilities where their program is performing work.
 
Guiding documents for NASA Occupational Safety and Health:
  1. NPD 8710.2C, NASA Safety and Health Program Policy. This document lists NASA policy for safety and health and lists responsibilities from the NASA Chief Medical Officer down to the Center Directors.
  2. NPD 1800.2A, NASA Occupational Health Program . This document lists NASA's policy to promote and maintain the physical and mental well-being of its employees. Responsibilities are listed from the NASA Chief Health and Medical Officer down to NASA Supervisors.
  3. NPG 8715.1, NASA Safety and Health Handbook Occupational Safety and Health Programs w/Change 2. The purpose of this NPG is to provide details necessary to implement occupational safety and health regulations found in 29 CFR Part 1960, Basic Program Elements For Federal Employee Occupational Safety And Health Programs And Related Mattersexternal link. Responsibilities are listed from senior management down through NASA supervisors and employees.
  4. Chapter 6 (Operational Safety) of NPG 8715.3, NASA Safety Manual w/Change 2. This chapter establishes safety procedures for NASA's operational safety program and includes topics such as: motor vehicles, personal protective equipment, lockout/tagout, pressure and vacuum systems, electrical safety, hazardous materials and operations, lifting, explosives, etc.
For the complete listing of Safety and Health related documents, refer to the Code Q, Office of Safety and Mission AssuranceLinks to a different Web site Safety and Mission Assurance SMA Documentation TreeLinks to a different Web site for Safety and Health.
 
Additional Occupational Safety and Health References:
  1. NPD 8700.1C, NASA Policy for Safety and Mission SuccessLinks to a different Web site
  2. 29 CFR Part 1960, Basic Program Elements For Federal Employee Occupational Safety And Health Programs And Related Mattersexternal link

PBMA Video Nuggets on This Subject:

Useful information and assistance before you view movies

Rick VogelProject Safety Analysis Tool
Video :: Transcript
Rick Vogel
Industrial Hygienist, Office of Safety and Mission Assurance (LaRC)
Video Running Time -- 1:22

Rick VogelProgram Hazard Planning
Video :: Transcript
Rick Vogel
Industrial Hygienist, Office of Safety and Mission Assurance (LaRC)
Video Running Time -- 1:24

John Casper3 Myths About Workplace Safety Mishaps
Video :: Transcript
John Casper
Director, Safety, Reliability and Quality Assurance (JSC)
Video Running Time -- 2:34

Chuck GibsonVPP Overview
Video :: Transcript
Chuck Gibson
Manager, Environmental Safety and Health, United Space Alliance (USA), Texas
Video Running Time -- 1:51

Chuck GibsonSome Benefits from Implementing VPP
Video :: Transcript
Chuck Gibson
Manager, Environmental Safety and Health, United Space Alliance (USA), Texas
Video Running Time -- 1:23

Sharla OstrowskiOccupational Safety
Video :: Transcript
Sharla Ostrowski
Project Lead, United Space Alliance Corporate Environmental Safety and Health
Video Running Time -- 0:50

Sharla OstrowskiTeamwork and Occupational Safety
Video :: Transcript
Sharla Ostrowski
Project Lead, United Space Alliance Corporate Environmental Safety and Health
Video Running Time -- 0:50

1.2.4.3 Facility Safety


NASA programs and projects make use of all types of facilities for testing, manufacturing, processing, special use, etc. Such programs utilize existing facilities, and may also involve the acquisition and construction of new facilities. This section addresses safety issues for facility acquisition, construction, and activation.
 
Guiding documents for NASA Facility Safety:
  1. NASA-STD-8719.7, Facilities System Safety Guidebook: This NASA Technical Standard (NTS) provides a guideline for NASA facility and safety professionals who are involved with the facility acquisition or modification/construction process and life cycle phases at NASA installations. This document provides fundamental information for the development of a facility safety program during the acquisition process and the framework for implementing facility system safety goals and requirements into NASA facilities.
  2. Chapter 8 (Facility Safety) of NPG 8715.3, NASA Safety Manual w/Change 2: This chapter establishes safety procedures and guidelines to enhance the safety and mission success aspect of NASA's facility acquisition, construction, and activation process. This chapter is guidance to the responsible NASA Center program/project management, contracting office, safety assurance, and fire protection organization personnel who implement the safety programs essential to meeting each facility acquisition and construction work package effort in accordance with NPG 8820.2, Facility Project Implementation Handbook.
  3. NPG 8820.2C: The Facility Project Implementation Handbook (FPIH) provides a ready reference to pertinent policy and guidance for management of facility planning, budgeting, design, construction, and activation. This Handbook covers the aspects of a facility project to the Facility Project Manager (FPM) from the initial statement of the facility requirements to the final facility activation.
Additional Facility Safety References
  1. NASA-STD-8719.11, Safety Standard for Fire Protection, Safety Standard for Fire Protection
  2. Chapter 9 (Fire Safety) of NPG 8715.3, NASA Safety Manual w/Change 2
See the following example for facility safety in the PBMA Best Practices:

PBMA Video Nuggets on This Subject:

Useful information and assistance before you view movies

Stacey NakamuraTest and Facility Safety Protocol
Video :: Transcript
Stacey Nakamura
Occupational Safety and Ground System Safety (JSC)
Video Running Time -- 1:33

Stacey NakamuraHazard Awareness for Facilities and Testing
Video :: Transcript
Stacey Nakamura
Occupational Safety and Ground System Safety (JSC)
Video Running Time -- 1:40




last modifed: Sep 12 2005 11:27AM
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