Hierarchy Of Control
Quote from Cliff_C on September 22, 2025, 9:43 pmRegarding Freddie’s post “80th Anniversary VJ Day”!
The reply which included the reason for the Ferrets cause of capsize, got me thinking. From my previous occupation of Safety Advisor I would very often use the “Hierarchy Of Control” when doing accident investigation or risk assessments. There was usually 5 hierarchies and the whole idea is very interesting, well, from a health and safety point of view, once the penny drops that is.
So, “Engineering”! we should try and engineer out the hazard, for example hen we design a house ensure there is just one level, no stairs so no trip hazards.
For this post then, can anyone highlight poor engineering in tanks, trucks etc which were the cause of accidents, or good ideas (controls) which helped reduce accidents.
Dont mention people though as they are a good source of accidents!! Best control would be to use robots or recruit squaddies with common sense.
One example which affected me was when JKW was my SSM ten minutes before the FTX Endex.
I was Felix Wheeler’s radio operator, the troop had been issued the latest mod chieftain so the troop leader nabbed it for himself. One of the modifications was to remove part of the turret safety rail thus making it easier for the driver to get out through the turret when the gun was over the back decks. This is a good example of a modification which had a good intention but in doing so introduced a hazard or increased the level of risk. No doubt who ever thought about it whilst sitting at his desk in Whitehall or Bovington or wherever was wearing blinkers and could only see the driver!
The rail, when complete did a good job of keeping your legs withing the radius of the turret floor and away from any snagging, crushing, mechanizing hazards and always reduced the risk of getting your leg trapped when the turret traversed.
Well, guess what happened? Shuggie Bourne (gunner) traversed the turret using the powered system whilst the tank was moving and I was given a jolt which resulted in my leg going through the space where there was once a safety rail. It wasn’t much of a safety rail now. I can still hear the crushing tibia now and I can still see Shuggie staring at me whilst I screamed and he knew straight away what was up.
Thank you JKW for visiting me at BMH Rinteln, I was bothered with pain in that leg for years afterwards. There was no compensation culture them days, reckon I would have got a quid for that one.
Well then, any other examples of military vehicle/equipment where hazards and risk assessment was never thought of.
Best wishes all
Cliff
Regarding Freddie’s post “80th Anniversary VJ Day”!
The reply which included the reason for the Ferrets cause of capsize, got me thinking. From my previous occupation of Safety Advisor I would very often use the “Hierarchy Of Control” when doing accident investigation or risk assessments. There was usually 5 hierarchies and the whole idea is very interesting, well, from a health and safety point of view, once the penny drops that is.
So, “Engineering”! we should try and engineer out the hazard, for example hen we design a house ensure there is just one level, no stairs so no trip hazards.
For this post then, can anyone highlight poor engineering in tanks, trucks etc which were the cause of accidents, or good ideas (controls) which helped reduce accidents.
Dont mention people though as they are a good source of accidents!! Best control would be to use robots or recruit squaddies with common sense.
One example which affected me was when JKW was my SSM ten minutes before the FTX Endex.
I was Felix Wheeler’s radio operator, the troop had been issued the latest mod chieftain so the troop leader nabbed it for himself. One of the modifications was to remove part of the turret safety rail thus making it easier for the driver to get out through the turret when the gun was over the back decks. This is a good example of a modification which had a good intention but in doing so introduced a hazard or increased the level of risk. No doubt who ever thought about it whilst sitting at his desk in Whitehall or Bovington or wherever was wearing blinkers and could only see the driver!
The rail, when complete did a good job of keeping your legs withing the radius of the turret floor and away from any snagging, crushing, mechanizing hazards and always reduced the risk of getting your leg trapped when the turret traversed.
Well, guess what happened? Shuggie Bourne (gunner) traversed the turret using the powered system whilst the tank was moving and I was given a jolt which resulted in my leg going through the space where there was once a safety rail. It wasn’t much of a safety rail now. I can still hear the crushing tibia now and I can still see Shuggie staring at me whilst I screamed and he knew straight away what was up.
Thank you JKW for visiting me at BMH Rinteln, I was bothered with pain in that leg for years afterwards. There was no compensation culture them days, reckon I would have got a quid for that one.
Well then, any other examples of military vehicle/equipment where hazards and risk assessment was never thought of.
Best wishes all
Cliff