The present invention generally concerns an automated system and corresponding method for managing unplanned actions, or events, that occur in a multi-facility corporate environment. A web-based event correction and prevention system is provided which allows for global tracking, recording, analysis and prevention of unplanned events.
Corporations that design and manufacturer products are often responsible for the oversight of multiple facilities spread across a local, regional, national or global area. The utilization of multiple facilities leads to the employment of numerous individuals at each facility and a variety of different work tasks and processes that may occur at each location. Given such a large and broad spectrum of continual involvement and action on the part of a corporation's facilities, employees and processes, a risk of certain unplanned events occurring in the course of product design, manufacturing, shipping, etc. is inevitably present. “Events” as used herein may include such unplanned actions as an employee injury or illness, property damage, process loss, environmental loss, a “near miss” event, or some combination of a variety of these and other events.
In some conventional corporate environments, the recording and analysis of unplanned events was a manual process, which can tend to be cumbersome and inefficient in some respects. Manual event recording results in some difficulty in sharing recorded data across multiple corporate facilities, especially as the size of a corporation grows. Many previously manual data systems are being replaced by automated systems. For example, a computer-based system such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,568 (Giguere et al.) provides a date entry and manipulation environment for occupational health and environmental surveillance. U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,287 (Sziklai et al.) provides an integrated system for managing changes in regulatory and non-regulatory requirements for business activities at an industrial or commercial facility. International patent application WO 02/084446 (Jacobs et al.) discloses a computer-based safety management system and method.
Despite the availability of various automated and computer-based systems for managing aspects of business, a need exists for an automated system for efficiently managing and analyzing unplanned events that provides for global tracking, recording, analysis and prevention of unplanned events.
Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In general, the present invention is directed to a system and method that allows for global tracking, recording, analysis and prevention of unplanned events via an automated and networked environment. Multiple individuals on behalf of a given corporation are assigned various tasks associated with a given event, such as initial reporting, investigation, corrective action and review. These individuals may access the subject networked system to enter respective pieces of information which may then be stored in a centralized location and available for subsequent access, analysis and reporting.
Although the present invention is described herein with respect to the management and analysis of unplanned events in a corporate manufacturing environment, the features and steps disclosed herein may be readily extended to manage other types of events, such as those occurring in other specific environments.
An advantage in accordance with some embodiments of the present subject matter is that the automated system provides for versatility in the characterization of unplanned events. More particularly, events can be characterized under a variety of different classifications, including but not limited to, injuries, illnesses, property damage, environmental loss, process loss, near miss occurrences, and combinations of these or other events.
Another advantage in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention is that event management and related correction and prevention analysis is effected via a computer-based system that is networked across multiple locations and facilities. As such, event data can be shared across facilities, thus providing a beneficial tool for widespread analysis and reporting, a learning initiative from the events of other people and facilities, and a way to assess and benchmark overall safety ratings for multiple facilities.
A still further advantage of some embodiments of the presently disclosed technology is that the subject system and method allows for multiple sub-events to be associated with a larger event occurrence, thus being able to associate multiple injuries, illnesses, etc. within a single unplanned occurrence and only requiring a single entry of the basic exposure occurrence while capturing multiple details about each subject involved. For example, an event may include an injury and property damage. Instead of entering two separate events in the subject system, only one is entered, avoiding duplication of information and linking the sub-events together. Alternatively, in the case of a chemical exposure, many people may become ill from a single unplanned occurrence (i.e., the exposure) and so linking of those illnesses to a single event becomes beneficial for various information management reasons.
A first aspect in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention corresponds to a user accessing a computer-based event correction and prevention system and entering basic information corresponding to an unplanned occurrence. Basic information may include, for example, a date, time and location of the unplanned occurrence, or event, as well as one or more event classifications for possible sub-events under the unplanned event occurrence. Exemplary event classifications may include injury, illness, process loss, environmental loss, property damage or a near miss. A basic user enters fundamental event information via a first data entry system that is linked to a network connecting the different entities involved in a process of managing and analyzing unplanned events. The basic user's data entry system may be linked to a web page that provides a graphical interface to assist the user in entering the basic event information. For example, the web page may provide specific data fields that a user must populate for proper establishment of an event log. Data fields for the event classification and other information may include drop down lists from which the user may select from a plurality of predetermined possibilities, thus helping to standardize certain event terminology.
Once basic event information is entered in the computer-based event correction and prevention system, an event log including such basic information may be stored in an application database and a task of performing subsequent analysis of the event is assigned to an investigator. The investigator may be selected by the basic user and may be automatically sent a notification indicating their investigative responsibilities. The investigator then investigates the unplanned event to determine additional event details including at least one risk assessment rating and one or more cause analysis items. All such additional details may also be entered into the computer-based event correction and prevention system via a second data entry system. Risk assessment ratings may include such exemplary ratings as a frequency of event occurrence within a given corporate environment, a probability of occurrence of the event type and a severity rating associated with the event type. The cause analysis items may fall under one of several cause categories, such as but not limited to basic causes, immediate causes and system needs.
Once cause analysis items are identified by an investigator, corrective actions may be assigned by the investigator to respective individuals who then follow up with corrective and preventative measures to respectively help rectify any undesirable results of an unplanned event and also help prevent the occurrence of future similar events. Corrective action tasks and completion dates are preferably entered into the computer-based event system via a third user interface linked to the network. Once all corrective actions are completed, the investigator is notified automatically. A reviewer may then be assigned to evaluate the results of the investigating step and determine the effectiveness of the completed corrective actions. A reviewer is responsible for closing out the event in the subject automated system.
An additional feature of the subject event correction and prevention system and method may correspond to a report generation feature whereby selected information can be collected from the application database and developed into either a preformatted or a user customized report. Advisory data collected for a report can be exported to a supplemental software program to facilitate customized data presentation and analysis.
Other event correction and prevention system features may include an interface for entering information from safety planned inspections that follow up and track quality-related aspects of an event investigation, an interface for tracking any type of corrective and preventative actions (CAPA) required by internal procedure of a given corporate environment or by regulatory requirement, and an interface to assist with the implementation of manual processes such as a safety management and assessment rating tool for evaluating safety and hygiene aspects of the given corporate environment.
A related aspect of the subject event correction and prevention system and method concerns an article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium readable by a computer having a memory, the medium tangibly embodying one or more programs of instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for recording and analyzing unplanned events in a networked corporate environment. The method embodied by the computer-readable medium and executed by a computer may include such steps as interfacing with the one or more programs of instruction via a data entry interface to provide information corresponding to an unplanned event and sending automatic notifications to individuals associated with analyzing the unplanned event. Automatic notifications may be sent to an assigned event investigator who is chosen to determine additional details concerning the unplanned event, one or more corrective action assignees who are assigned to implement one or more corrective actions, and/or a designated reviewer who is chosen to evaluate the actions undertaken by the event investigator and the one or more corrective action assignees.
Other features and aspects of the present invention are discussed in greater detail below.
The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:
The invention will now be described in detail with reference to particular embodiments thereof. The embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the invention, and are not meant as a limitation of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, features described or illustrated as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the invention, including the appended claims and their equivalents.
Corporate environments may include multiple facilities, employees and processes to achieve such tasks as product design, manufacturing, packaging and supplying. In light of the variety of factors that contribute to a business environment, the possibility of unplanned events occurring is prevalent. As such, a networked computer system and corresponding methodology has been developed that allows for global tracking, recording, analysis and prevention of unplanned events. Multiple individuals on behalf of a given corporation are assigned various tasks associated with a given event, such as initial reporting, investigation, corrective action and review. These individuals may access the subject networked system to enter respective pieces of information which may then be stored in a centralized location and available for subsequent access, analysis and reporting.
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A distinguishing feature to note in accordance with step 10 of the embodiment illustrated in
Once a user provides basic information in step 10 corresponding to a specific event, the user can then assign in step 12 an investigation associated with the event. Investigations may be assigned for every injury, illness, property damage, process loss, environmental loss, etc. entered into the event correction and prevention system, although it should be appreciated that investigations may not be required for some events such as but not limited to near misses and events for which investigations have previously been assigned. For example, if a single unplanned occurrence results in both injury and property damage, investigations may be assigned for both the injury and the property damage. An investigator may be assigned in step 12 by the user who enters the basic event information in step 10. In one embodiment, multiple investigators may be assigned for multiple respective sub-events that result from a single unplanned occurrence. While multiple investigators may be assigned, in some embodiments, only a single investigator is assigned to an event having multiple respective sub-events and thus only one individual is automatically notified of the assignment. Event investigators are trained to perform their assigned tasks and may be directly affiliated with the corporation employing the event correction and prevention system or may be contracted out from a third party. When the investigator is assigned in step 12, a signal generator linked to the computer-based event prevention and correction system transmits a notification to the assigned investigator. Notifications may be sent in a variety of fashions, including but not limited to postal mail, electronic mail (e-mail), facsimile, telephone, etc.
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After an investigator determines cause analysis items as part of exemplary step 14, the investigator electronically assigns corrective action(s) based upon this analysis. Each corrective action entered can be tied back to a specific cause type under one of the three cause categories: basic causes, immediate causes and system needs. For example, if a basic cause for an employee illness was a chemical exposure, a corrective action for the chemical exposure is assigned by the investigator. The corrective action assignee is then responsible for following through with specific actions that are needed to rectify negative effects resulting from the event and to ensure that the risk for future related events is minimized as much as possible, thus facilitating future event prevention. The specific corrective actions and corresponding dates of completion are then entered into the system in step 18.
The investigators and corrective action assignees play an important role in the various steps and features of the subject event correction and prevention system. As such, ongoing notification and communication among these particular individuals who have access to the system is also important. When an investigator assigns corrective actions in exemplary step 16, the corrective action assignees are notified, for example, electronically via e-mail and are required to enter actions and completion dates by predetermined target due dates. Investigators and corrective action assignees receive a communication (e.g. e-mail) each day for each investigation or corrective action that has not been completed by the target date until completion information is entered into the web-based event correction and prevention system.
Referring still to
In accordance with the exemplary steps illustrated in
Referring now to other aspects of the present invention,
An interface to the ECAPS application 30 may be provided to selected entities 32, 34, 36 and 38 as a web page, other browser interface or visual display. Data entry devices integrated with user computers connected to the network 40 can be employed to enter a URL to access a secure web site. The URL request goes through the network to a router (not shown) where corporate server 42 determines the IP address to be used for the requested URL. A signal for creating a web page display is then routed back to the requester's computer. Corporate server 42 is further configured to execute specific code or software included in ECAPS program 30.
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Referring now to
Another feature of ECAPS application 30 is notification generator 52. Notification generator 52 corresponds to software in or linked to the ECAPS system that triggers a signal generator for sending notifications to users including but not limited to basic users, investigators, corrective action assignees and investigation reviewers. More particularly, notification generator 52 provides a notification to event investigators when they are assigned by a basic user or other entity. Notification generator sends a notification to corrective action assignees when they are assigned by an investigator or other entity. Notification generator 52 may be utilized to send reminder notifications to both investigators and corrective action assignees until required analysis and actions are completed and entered into ECAPS application 30. An investigator may receive a notification via generator feature 52 when all corrective actions have been completed. Notification generator 52 may send a notification to a reviewer when one is assigned to evaluate the results of the investigation and corresponding corrective actions. Finally, selected entities, including the basic user who originally entered the event into the ECAPS system, can be notified via system feature 52 when an event is closed out by a reviewer.
Continuing with the discussion of exemplary features of event correction and prevention system 30 as depicted in
A still further system feature associated with some embodiments of the subject event correction and prevention system includes an interface 56 for safety planned inspections and/or corrective and preventative action tracking. Safety planned inspections can include follow-up and tracking of quality-related events and recording of any findings and follow-ups associated with quality audits. If a finding or group of findings resulting from an inspection or audit is deemed to require a full investigation, an event can be entered into the subject event correction and prevention system and tied back to the inspection. Furthermore, system feature 56 can be utilized to track any type of corrective and preventative action (CAPA) required by internal procedures or regulatory requirements.
A still further feature of event correction and prevention system 30 corresponds to a software interface 58 that can be used as an aid in administering manual processes. For example, one such process, referred to as safety management and assessment rating tool (SMART) is used to assist multiple operating facilities and staff organizations in evaluating their safety and hygiene systems to identify potential areas for improvement and also provide established accident reporting. Another manual process developed and implemented at the facility level with which system feature 58 may provide integral coupling is a manual investigation process for unplanned events such as injuries and illnesses, near misses, property damage, process loss, etc.
The subject event correction and prevention system and related methodology contains functionality to handle multiple languages and can be used for global tracking and reporting of safety trends. Information about events associated with particular assets can be utilized as input for design safety reviews.
While the specification has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention.