Safety case assessment framework

The Safety Case Assessment Framework (SCAF) provides a foundation and the guidance for assessors to conduct a safety case assessment, and for the licence panel to reach a licensing decision.

The framework is not intended to provide guidance to operators on how to develop a safety case. Operators may find the technical assessment guidance of interest in understanding WorkSafe’s approach to safety case assessment.

Safety Case Assessment

Operators need to submit their safety case to WorkSafe by the agreed date, along with their application for an MHF licence.

The safety case will then be assessed through a combination of desktop assessment and on-site verification.

WorkSafe safety analysts ("Assessors") and WorkSafe Inspectors ("Verifiers") will liaise with you closely during the assessment phase for the safety case.

MHF operators will receive a copy of WorkSafe's assessment report, usually 2 weeks before the date set for the licensing decision, and are able to provide comment for WorkSafe to consider.

Forms and Publications

Forms are standard templates for requesting or providing information.

• Safety Case Submission Forms - Licence Application and MHF Regulations Location Checklist
• SCAF Feedback Form
• Safety Case Submission Helpful Hints

Safety Case Assessment Process - High level diagram of the Safety Case Assessment Process, showing the various assessment phases.

• view the Safety Case Assessment Process

Glossary - Glossary of terms relating to the Major Hazard Facilities Regulations and the Safety Case Assessment.

• view the Glossary

Management Principles - These principles govern WorkSafe's management of the overall safety case assessment and licence decision-making process.

• view the Management Principles

Guidance Principles - These principles govern WorkSafe's detailed technical assessment and verification of safety cases.

• view the Guidance Principles

Assessment Principles - These are the principles that WorkSafe expects the operator to have met in relation to the safety case. Assessment principles are defined within the individual focus rules that apply to each aspect of the safety case assessment (FR06 Safety Case Contents, FR07 Safety Management System etc.) and are summarised here.

• view the Assessment Principles

Safety Case Assessment Technical Protocol - The technical protocol for safety case assessment provides detailed guidance to WorkSafe's assessors on how to conduct a safety case assessment.

• Safety Case Assessment

Focus Rules - Core Technical Aspects
Focus rules provide the detailed basis for assessment of different aspects of the operator's safety case and regulatory compliance. These focus rules address the key regulatory requirements set out in R402 and in Parts 3 and 5 of the Regulations and are to be used for all safety case assessments.

• Safety Case Contents
• Safety Management System
• Hazard Identification
• Safety Assessment
• Safety Case Demonstrations
• Control Measures
• Emergency Planning
• Stakeholder Involvement