Learn about CMMI Safety v3.0

Enabling safety is of utmost importance in any organization, as it involves minimizing and mitigating safety risks while considering operational effectiveness, time, and cost. The value of a robust safety approach lies in reducing the residual safety hazard risk to an acceptable tolerance level. It is vital to consider and address safety in all aspects of the organization’s solutions, be it products, processes, services, or environments. Achieving this requires a systematic approach of identifying safety objectives and continually updating the safety approach to encompass various safety considerations.

Effective safety techniques are not mere add-ons but are instead embedded within processes, plans, equipment, systems, and the work environment. To establish an efficient safety approach, an organization must possess an organizational safety capability and regularly evaluate potential safety hazards. Periodic assessments of safety approaches and outcomes are also essential, along with the implementation of established safety controls.

The concept of “As Safe As Reasonably Practicable” (ASARP) guides many organizations in determining adequate safety levels. This principle involves evaluating current safety performance parameters against costs and other factors to optimize the safety environment. A solution is deemed ASARP when further safety improvements would disproportionately affect other areas of performance.

In situations of major or catastrophic safety-related events, such as active shooter incidents, bomb threats, or earthquakes, normal operations are likely to be disrupted. In these scenarios, continuity and disaster recovery plans play a crucial role in restarting and maintaining operations, ensuring the organization’s resilience and ability to recover from such emergencies.