Vistra is evolving how it identifies, classifies, and learns from Serious Injury and Fatality (SIF) events by transitioning to an energy-based Safety Classification and Learning (SCL) model aligned with industry best practices established by the Edison Electric Institute (EEI).
This transition is informed by industry research led by the Construction Safety Research Alliance, which reviewed tens of thousands of incidents across multiple industries. The research showed that while a SIF is possible in many workplace events, the probability increases significantly when hazardous energy exceeds approximately 500 foot-pounds, particularly when effective controls are not in place. The findings also confirmed that OSHA recordable injuries and task-based precursor categories do not reliably predict future SIFs.
Historically, Vistra classified SIF events using defined precursor categories such as electrical work, lockout/tagout, work at heights, confined space, etc. While this approach improved awareness and learning, experience showed it could be subjective and inconsistent across sites. The updated model shifts the focus to hazardous energy exposure, the presence of direct controls, and the potential for high-consequence outcomes, which creates a more objective, consistent, and defensible method for classification and learning.
Under the updated approach, events are evaluated based on energy level and control effectiveness and classified into categories such as High-Energy Serious Injury or Fatality (HSIF), Low-Energy Serious Injury or Fatality (LSIF), Potential Serious Injury or Fatality (PSIF), Exposure, Capacity, Success, or Low Severity. This framework enables Vistra to better distinguish true high-risk events from lower-risk situations, thereby strengthening learning and prevention efforts.
This transition supports Vistra’s continued commitment to preventing life-altering injuries by improving risk recognition, strengthening focus on high-energy hazards, and aligning with industry peers for benchmarking and shared learning. Looking ahead, Vistra will continue expanding its proactive tools to further reinforce the principle that safety is the presence of effective defenses.
