Absent or Failed Defences

1. Awareness

   • Hazard identification: Failure to identify potential hazards and associated risks

   • Communication: Ineffective or inadequate communication of hazards, risks, and safety procedures

   • Competence/knowledge: Lack of knowledge or training in hazard recognition and mitigation

   • Supervision: Inadequate supervision or monitoring of personnel and activities

   • Work instruction/procedure: Inadequate or unclear instructions for performing tasks and managing hazards

2. Detection

   • Visual warning system: Inadequate or ineffective visual warning systems to alert personnel to hazards

   • Aural warning systems: Inadequate or ineffective audible warning systems to alert personnel to hazards

   • Speed/movement detectors: Inadequate or ineffective detectors for monitoring speed and movement

   • Vigilance/fatigue: Inadequate monitoring of personnel's alertness and fatigue levels

   • Gas/substance: Inadequate detection of gas and other hazardous substances in the workplace

3. Control and Recovery

   • Procedures: Inadequate or ineffective procedures for managing hazards and responding to incidents

   • Bypass valves/circuits: Inadequate or ineffective bypass valves or circuits to prevent incidents from escalating

   • Emergency shut down: Inadequate or ineffective emergency shut down systems to stop incidents from escalating

4. Protection and Containment

   • PPE: Inadequate or ineffective personal protective equipment to protect personnel from hazards

   • Fire fighting: Inadequate or ineffective fire-fighting equipment and procedures

   • Spill response: Inadequate or ineffective spill response measures to prevent the spread of hazardous substances

   • Bunding/barricading/exclusion zones: Inadequate or ineffective measures to contain hazardous substances and prevent personnel from entering dangerous areas

5. Escape and Rescue

   • Safe access/egress: Inadequate or ineffective means of exiting hazardous areas

   • Emergency planning/response: Inadequate or ineffective emergency planning and response measures

   • Emergency communication: Inadequate or ineffective communication channels for reporting incidents and alerting emergency responders

Other potential factors that could contribute to Absent or Failed Defence include maintenance and inspection failures, security breaches, design flaws, and human factors.