Energy-Based Thinking

• Focuses on hazardous energy present, not just the task being performed.
• Evaluates whether energy was released, contacted a person, or came within proximity.
• Confirms whether direct controls, or Best Defenses, were in place and effective.
• Uses objective decision logic instead of assumptions or personal judgment.

High-Energy Categories

Events are evaluated against defined high-energy sources aligned with the new EEI energy icons. These include:

• Gravity / Motion: suspended loads, falls from elevation, mobile equipment, and vehicle movement.
• Mechanical: heavy rotating equipment.
• Temperature: steam, high temperature, and fire with a sustained fuel source.
• Pressure: explosions, excavations, trenches, and pressurized systems.
• Electrical: electrical contact at 50 volts or greater and arc flash exposure.
• Chemical / Radiation: toxic chemical exposure, oxygen-deficient atmospheres, corrosive exposure, or radiation.
• Other: energy sources that require calculation when they do not fit a defined category.

SCL Definitions

HSIF – High-Energy Serious Injury or Fatality
A serious injury occurred as a result of a high-energy release.

LSIF – Low-Energy Serious Injury or Fatality
A serious injury occurred with low or no high-energy exposure.

PSIF – Potential Serious Injury or Fatality
A high-energy event occurred without a serious injury, and no direct control or Best Defense was in place.

Capacity
A high-energy event occurred without a serious injury, but a direct control or Best Defense was in place and functioning.

Exposure
A high-energy hazard was present without a release, and no direct control was in place.

Success
A high-energy hazard was present, and a direct control or Best Defense was in place and effective.

Low Severity
The event did not involve high energy and is unlikely to result in a serious injury.