PREVIOUS | TABLE OF CONTENTS | NEXT

Key Results Area: Qualitative Analysis and Systems Approach to Safety

Strategic Objective

To foster a sound and systematic approach to risk and program management

Strategy 1
Develop a national database for Marine Safety activities

Background
In an effort to introduce and establish comprehensive and effective management systems, the requirement for a national database plan was identified to improve the ways and means of disseminating information and to upgrade Marine Safety’s Informatics Technology (IT) infrastructure. The national database plan will provide the roadmap for undertaking Information Technology/Information Management (IT/IM) initiatives over the next two to three years to meet Marine Safety’s priorities and to better serve clients’ changing needs.

Action to 1999
Headquarters has completed recruitment for its IT/IM function and has begun the development of a national IT/IM framework. The framework will deal with infrastructure, software, hardware, position for Web access, and electronic document distribution.

Other information management issues will also increase the accessibility of tool kits to staff. An example is an aide-memoire for inspectors that sets up electronic links to Notices to Surveyors. In addition, the committee decided to give careful consideration to choosing the most appropriate mode of communication to provide more timely and accurate advice to inspectors and staff.

This cooperative approach is necessary for determining and interpreting the terminology used across the country for information management. The choice of this terminology will be a policy decision because it will be used as a tool to convey and disseminate information. This also creates the need for established definitions and control measures, and a study on information requirements and processes within Marine Safety.

Strategy 2
Incorporate effective risk management practices for regulation development and program delivery

Background
As the financial pressures on Marine Safety increase, it will be necessary to ensure that resources are applied efficiently and effectively. A methodology for applying these resources is necessary and will be developed. This methodology will determine priorities for regulation and enforcement using risk management practices, and resources will be allocated according to risk.

Action to 1999
Pacific Region conducted a pilot project to identify risk areas using the new methodology (i.e., Q850). Recommendations from this pilot project will form the basis for implementing risk management principles.

The Director General, Marine Safety, supplied an update of Safety and Security’s efforts to establish risk management. For now, each program is to continue to explore options; for example, Q850 or other alternatives. Training for Marine Safety will be reviewed and will commence in the fall of 1999.

In addition, an update on the Safety Analysis and Functional Evaluation (SAFE) project was obtained from the Safety Programs, Strategies and Coordination group (SPSC). This system will integrate critical data sources, risk analysis tools and techniques within a standardized environment to enhance Transport Canada’s staff’s capabilities to analyze completed risk-related issues. The Risk Assessment and Safety Studies Division (AAEM) within SPSC is currently reviewing SAFE documentation. It is anticipated that AAEM, with active input and involvement of the Working Group and particularly employees within Marine Safety, will be able to accomplish most of the identified tasks for this project prior to actual programming. These tasks would include: confirming user requirements and functional criteria; identifying critical databases; developing criteria for a marine risk analysis module; and determining report criteria. It is expected that the project will be completed in fiscal year 1999/2000.

PREVIOUS | TABLE OF CONTENTS | NEXT