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FEATURE

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) can be takes to get the job done” mentality, team has planned and will track the
used to evaluate the risk associated with which in turn exposes you to more activities as part of the project.
certain activities, locations, phases, or any risk and leads to safety incidents.
other element of the project. Once all the Another process that can be used to
work is made visible, the project team 2. Activities and more detailed planning ensure that the up-front planning effort –
can review the work and their supporting on the WBS for identified safety risks involving data forecasting and WBS
activities and evaluate the overall financial on specific parts of the project (see are both happening is Short Interval
risk of the project. They can specifically Figure 1). As the project team reviews Scheduling (SIS®). The daily schedules
evaluate any safety risks that may be the WBS and evaluates for safety risks, should reflect the activities that were
possible or present. There are two aspects the risks should be prioritized by: identified in the plan listed in the two
of this process that should be visible on • Frequency – how often is items above. An example of this is shown
the project’s WBS once it is complete: this risk likely to occur? in Figure 2. Here are obstacles that have
• Severity – how severe will the outcome been reported in SIS® related to safety
1. The activities listed on the WBS to of the risk be if it does occur? that may not otherwise be visible:
accomplish work that is regulated • “On site power distribution panel
and required on the project pertaining • Detectability – what is in place now not labeled as to what feeds what”
to safety. In other words, activities to detect or prevent the risk? • “Contractor was removing scaffolding
that are required by OSHA, the GC or Based on prioritizing these three over top of the work area”
owner, your own company policy, or elements, which is part of a larger process
any site-specific requirements that need called Failure Mode Effect Analysis • “Asbestos Abatement”
to be specifically planned for, should (FMEA), the project team can select the • “Fire on site”
show up on your foreman’s WBS. For top-prioritized items and create specific • “Demo company hit a live
example, their WBS should include plans for those activities of the work to 480 volt pipe in wall”
activities such as the following: reduce the risk. This should be a focused • “Found multiple hot spots
a. Weekly toolbox talks effort of the project team to identify: on bolt tees (splice)”
b. Daily task look aheads • What is the risk?
for safety hazards • What is the underlying cause? In addition to just “focusing on safety,”
c. Stretch & flex tangible approaches such as WBS and
• What can be done to prevent it? SIS® can be used by the jobsite crews
d. Make-safe activities
• What can be done to detect it? to ingrain safety into job planning, daily
If these activities are not recognized and • What can be done to contain task scheduling, and reporting, without
expending additional labor hours.
integrated into the schedule by the project the risk should it occur?
team, then they become afterthoughts In a separate study conducted by MCA
and not seen as part of the project. They These should lead into specific work Inc., we found that the differentiating
become secondary to a “whatever it activities that are associated with the feature in terms of safety incidents
task on the WBS to ensure the project

FIGURE 1 FIGURE 2

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