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Prevention Through People
Know More, Train More, Do More, Offer More, and Cooperate More
What is PTP?
Prevention Through People (PTP) is a people-focused approach to marine safety and environmental protection that systematically addresses the root cause of most accidents: the human element. This approach recognizes that safe and profitable operations require the constant and balanced interaction between the management, the work environment, the behavior of people, and the appropriate technology. PTP itself promotes a cultural change within a company to improve their safety posture.
PTP Guiding Principles:
- Honor the Mariner: Seek and respect the opinion of those who
"do the work" afloat and ashore.
- Take a Quality Approach: Engage all elements of maritime
operations to drive continuous improvements.
- Seek Non-Regulatory Solutions: Emphasize incentives and
innovation while improving basic regulations to maintain a minimum level
of safety.
- Share Commitment: Recognize and act upon the responsibility
of government, management and workers to foster a safe and
environmentally sound marine transportation system.
- Manage Risk: Apply cost-effective solutions to marine safety and environmental issues, consistent with our shared public stewardship responsibilities.
So much of PTP is about the interrelated nature of human behavior and the effect it has on casualties and accidents. Here are a few definitions:
Human Element: The human and organizational influences of marine safety and maritime system performances.
Human Factor: Aspects of human capabilities (physical, cognitive, psychological) and performance as applicable to the design of organizations, systems, and devices of all kinds.
Human and Organizational Error: Unacceptable or undesirable performance on the part of an individual (Human Error) or group (Organizational Error) that can result in unanticipated or undesirable effects.
Partnerships
A key aspect of PTP is that government and industry work together. Over the years, the Coast Guard has established safety partnerships with industry to tackle many issues facing the maritime industry with good results. Click on Partnerships to review the activities of these relationships.
Related Sites
Good hyperlink sites to reference including Regulations, Schools, Government Agencies, and more. Click on Related Sites
Bibliography
Reference titles to PTP issues. Click on PTP Bibliography
Return to Human Element and Ship Design Division (CG-5211) Homepage.
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