US 20040010517A1
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0010517 A1
`(43) Pub. Date: Jan. 15, 2004
`
`Fetherston
`
`(54)
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSISTING AN
`ORGANIZATION TO IMPLEMENT AND
`MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH VARIOUS
`OBLIGATIONS
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Aug. 29, 1996
`Aug. 15, 1997
`Aug. 29, 1997
`
`(NZ)..
`...... 286393
`
`(NZ)..
`...................... 328559
`(WO) ........................... PCT/NZ97/00106
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Denis Fetherston, Auckland (NZ)
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Correspondence Address:
`KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
`2040 MAIN STREET
`FOURTEENTH FLOOR
`IRVINE, CA 92614 (US)
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`10/602,354
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 23, 2003
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`Continuation of application No. 10/103,595, filed on
`Mar. 19, 2002, now abandoned, which is a continu-
`ation of application No. 09/202,131, filed on Feb. 26,
`1999, now abandoned.
`
`Int. Cl.7 ....................................................... G06F 7/00
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl.
`.......................................................... 707/104.1
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`The invention comprises a system for assisting an organi-
`zation to implement and maintain compliance management
`programs,
`the system comprising a plurality of modules
`relating to particular legislative or other obligations with
`which the organization is required to comply; at least one
`master database containing information on said legislative or
`other compliance obligations; at least one slave database
`containing and allowing entry of information of activities
`and incidents or accidents in the organization and assess-
`ments of the organization; and report generating means for
`generating a report on actions required to render the orga-
`nization complaint with the legislative or other requirements
`in the master database.
`
`COMPLIANCE MANAGER
`
`MAIN MENU
`
`
`
`
`
`Health and Safety Manager
`Module 1
`
`Environmental Manager Module
`2
`
`Property Manager
`Module 3
`
`Staff Manager
`Module 4
`
`Training Manager
`Module 5
`
`7
`
`7
`.
`I
`V
`Graph and Analysrs Tools
`
`
`
`
`
`HOTLINKHR & KPA
`
`EXHIBIT 1008
`Page 1 of 18
`
`HOTLINKHR & KPA
`EXHIBIT 1008
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`Page 1 of 18
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 1 0f 11
`
`US 2004/0010517 A1
`
`,
`
`4
`
`Memory
`
`10
`
`CPU
`
`‘
`
`2
`
`6
`
`
`
`Input
`Device
`
`I/O
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 2 of 18
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 2 of 11
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`US 2004/0010517 A1
`
`COMPLIANCE MANAGER
`
`MAIN MENU
`
`7
`
`Health and Safety Manager
`Module 1
`
`Environmental Manager Module
`2
`
`Property Manager
`Module 3
`
`Staff Manager
`Module 4
`
`Training Manager
`Module 5
`
`7
`
`7
`.
`I
`V
`Graph and Analy5ls Tools
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Flél
`
`Page 3 of 18
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`Page 3 of 18
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 3 0f 11
`
`US 2004/0010517 A1
`
`HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGER
`MODULE 1
`
`Serious Harm
`Accident Register
`
`Hazard Register
`
`Employee Training
`Register
`
`Accident Reports
`
`Hazard Reports
`
`Training Reports
`
`Accident/Incident Register
`
`Hazardous Machinery
`Compliance
`
`Employee Information
`
`Training Document
`Library
`
`Procedures Document
`Library
`
`,
`
`General Document Library
`
`Compliance Management
`Reports
`
`Step by Step Gmde
`
`Contractor Management
`
`F1613
`
`Page 4 of 18
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 4 0f 11
`
`US 2004/0010517 A1
`
`Maoists
`
`Add New Hazard
`
`Divisionzli’estorel Foods (NZ) L
`Depertrnent: [Specialty Products
`Lac-tier: Ar":lExtrudar
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`Dete: .21-Fab-97
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`
`Page 5 of 18
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 5 of 11
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`US 2004/0010517 A1
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`ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGER
`4 MODULE 2
`
`Environmental Risk
`Investigation
`
`7
`
`Environmental Risk
`Identification
`
`Employee Training
`Register
`
`Incident Reports
`
`Environmental Reports
`
`Training Reports
`
`Environmental Manual
`'
`
`' Training Document
`Library
`
`Environmental
`
`Compliance Register
`
`Procedures Document
`Library
`
`Employee Information
`
`General Procedures
`
`Library
`
`Quick Find
`
`Compliance Management
`Reports
`
`Step by Step Guide
`
`Contractor Management
`
`Fléi 5
`
`Page 6 of 18
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 6 0f 11
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`US 2004/0010517 A1
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`El‘l‘llilgl‘ll‘liEl‘l'l'AL RISK IN V ES'l'lGI-Yl' lOi‘l
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`
`Action Date:
`
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`
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`
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 7 0f 11
`
`US 2004/0010517 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 8 0f 11
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`US 2004/0010517 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 9 0f 11
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`US 2004/0010517 A1
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`PROGRAMS ON THE "
`NETWORK
`
`» RESULTS IN THE ' HASIEMAN DATABASES
`
`HASIEMAN NAVIGATOR
`USES THESE PROGRAMS AND STORES THE
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`Page100f18
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 10 0f 11
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`US 2004/0010517 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 15, 2004 Sheet 11 0f 11
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`US 2004/0010517 A1
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`Page120f18
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`US 2004/0010517 A1
`
`Jan. 15, 2004
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSISTING AN
`ORGANIZATION TO IMPLEMENT AND
`MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH VARIOUS
`OBLIGATIONS
`
`aimed at meeting a management objective within the orga-
`nization, for example achieving and implementing proce-
`dures for ISO accreditation and implementation, particularly
`ISO 14001 and ISO 9001.
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application is a continuation of US. patent
`application Ser. No. 10/103,595 entitled “SYSTEM AND
`METHOD FOR ASSISTING AN ORGANIZATION TO
`IMPLEMENT AND MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH
`VARIOUS OBLIGATIONS” filed on Mar. 19, 2002, which
`in turn is a continuation of US. patent application Ser. No.
`09/202,131 filed on Feb. 26, 1999, which application claims
`the benefit of International Application No. PCT/NZ97/
`00106, filed on Aug. 29, 1997, and which claims priority
`under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to New Zealand Application Num-
`ber 286393, filed on Aug. 29, 1996 and New Zealand
`Application Number 328559, filed on Aug. 15, 1997; each of
`which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety,
`including drawings.
`
`FIELD
`
`[0002] The invention comprises a system and method for
`assisting the implementation and maintenance of compli-
`ance programs required by legislation or established through
`management objectives for the benefit of the organization.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0003] Programs to ensure compliance with various obli-
`gations placed on industry are driven by the legislation
`which places compliance obligations upon businesses, such
`as legislation concerning the protection of people, the envi-
`ronment, shareholders, equities and other business activities
`for example. Occupational health and safety legislation
`generally places the responsibility for the management of
`health and safety in the workplace in the hands of employers
`and their staff. This responsibility includes the prevention of
`harm to an employee by identifying and isolating hazards
`and where practical
`taking action to control, eliminate,
`and/or minimize hazards. The overall objective is to reduce
`workplace injuries, accidents, illnesses and fatalities through
`an effective health and safety management system.
`
`[0004] Employers are generally required by law to provide
`an auditable trail of their actions that is sufficiently trans-
`parent to show they have an effective management pro-
`gramme Employers are generally required by law to provide
`an auditable trail of their actions that is sufficiently trans-
`parent to show they have an effective management pro-
`gramme which includes for example hazard identification,
`appropriate training and supervision of staff,
`recording
`details of all accidents and periodically reporting accidents
`to the appropriate investigative authority, establishing emer-
`gency procedures, and management of principals, contrac-
`tors and subcontractors.
`
`[0005] Similar legislative requirements apply to manage-
`ment of the effects a plant may have on the environment, and
`how under company law a company manages its sharehold-
`ers assets.
`
`[0006] Management within an organization may also
`establish compliance programs within the organization
`
`[0007] Many businesses are not able to manage the vast
`number of scenarios that can arise and certainly cannot
`manage these in a “real time mode”. Compliance may be
`required under legislation covering companies, health and
`safety, consumer protection, electricity, fair trading, human
`rights, privacy, environmental management, property, and
`land transport legislation. Risk management programs often
`tend to be reactive and address issues randomly. Many
`companies are not meeting the minimum required standards
`of compliance. This is partly due to a lack of commitment
`and understanding as to how to manage compliance issues,
`and the inability to be proactive towards the handling of the
`vast number of issues involved.
`
`[0008] Many organizations have implemented paper and/
`or data based compliance programs, however these are not
`fully integrated and fully comprehensive. For example, to
`meet New Zealand Health and Safety Act (NZHSE Act)
`compliance requirements often each department of a com-
`pany is supplied with a resource kit containing information
`on hazard identification,
`tools for hazard assessment, a
`serious harm schedule, information on how hazards are to be
`controlled, and forms to record the department hazard
`assessment. The intention is that each department record its
`own hazard identification on forms kept in that department’s
`kit or in the system in some form. This type of programme,
`although adequate for each department if it is kept up to date,
`has proved inefficient for overall control as it is difficult to
`continue on an ongoing basis to identify and assess signifi-
`cant hazards, because this activity is not a natural part of the
`core operational business. It is also difficult to cross-refer-
`ence hazards and control measures between departments or
`with others affected by hazards such as contractors.
`
`[0009] For example, one department may engage in the
`activity of storing oil. This one activity may have many
`risk-causing aspects such as being stored near water or heat.
`Each of these aspects have a number of results which may
`occur if an event occurs such as environmental damage to
`waterways and wildlife through oil seepage, and injury or
`death to employees in the event of an explosion. Each effect
`has a number of controls involving recovery procedures and
`plans to minimize the risk.
`
`[0010] For a department to ensure compliance it must
`implement all the necessary controls for a particular activity.
`This involves cross-referencing each activity to related
`aspects, effects and controls. In general a paper based system
`or conventional data based system is unable to assist in this
`process. The conventional interrelated data base approach is
`also unable to handle these requirements because of the large
`amount of data entry required and large number of controls
`for each activity. An exponentially increasing number of
`relationships between tables and other components of the
`database must be set up in advance by the database designer
`in such prior art systems.
`
`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`
`to provide an
`[0011] An object of the invention is
`improved system and method for assisting the implementa-
`tion and maintenance of a compliance programme.
`
`Page130f18
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`US 2004/0010517 A1
`
`Jan. 15, 2004
`
`In broad terms the invention comprises a system
`[0012]
`for assisting an organization to implement and maintain
`compliance management programs, the system comprising a
`graphical interface which allows a user to display and enter
`data about legislative obligations or other obligations with
`which the organization is required to comply, the interface
`arranged to display a plurality of user-selectable modules,
`each module relating to a particular piece of legislation or
`obligation; at least one master database for storing compli-
`ance criteria on the legislative or other compliance obliga-
`tions, the master database coupled to the graphical interface
`for displaying data about the legislative or other obligations;
`at least one slave database for storing information on activi-
`ties of and incidents or accidents in the organization and
`assessments of the organization, the slave database coupled
`to the graphical interface for user entry of data about the
`activities of and incidents or accidents in the organization
`and assessments of the organization; risk assessor interfaced
`to assign a numerical priority rating to the activity, incident,
`accident or assessment in the slave database; and report
`generator for generating a report on any action required to
`render the organization compliant with the legislative or
`other requirements in the master database.
`
`In a further aspect the invention comprises a com-
`[0013]
`puter-implemented method for assisting an organization to
`implement and maintain compliance management programs,
`comprising allowing a user to display and enter data through
`a graphical interface, wherein the data relates to legislative
`obligations or other obligations with which the organization
`is required to comply, the interface arranged to display a
`plurality of user-selectable modules, each module relating to
`a particular piece of legislation or obligation; storing com-
`pliance criteria on the legislative or other compliance obli-
`gations in at
`least one master database coupled to the
`graphical interface for displaying data about the legislative
`or other obligations; storing information on activities of and
`incidents or accidents in the organization and assessments of
`the organization in at least one slave database coupled to the
`graphical interface for user entry of data about the activities
`of and incidents or accidents in the organization and assess-
`ments of the organization; assigning to the activities, inci-
`dents, accidents or assessments a numerical priority rating
`and storing the priority rating in the slave database; retriev-
`ing data from the slave database about the organization;
`retrieving legislative or other compliance requirements from
`the master database; and generating a report on action to be
`taken to render the organization compliant with the legisla-
`tive or other compliance requirements in the master data-
`base.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0014] A preferred form of the method and system for
`assisting the implementation of a compliance programme
`will now be described by way of example and without
`intending to be limiting, with reference to the accompanying
`drawings in which:
`
`[0015] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the
`invention;
`
`[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates the main menu screen of the
`preferred form system;
`
`[0017] FIG. 3 shows the menu screen of one module of
`the system;
`
`[0018] FIG. 4 details one option from the menu screen of
`FIG. 3;
`
`[0019] FIG. 5 shows the menu screen of another module
`of the system;
`
`[0020] FIG. 6 shows one option from the menu screen of
`FIG. 5;
`
`[0021] FIG. 7 shows another option from the menu screen
`of FIG. 5;
`
`[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates the navigation function of the
`invention;
`
`[0023]
`
`FIG. 9 also illustrates the navigation function;
`
`[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates a prior art data structure
`arrangement; and
`
`[0025] FIG. 11 illustrates the data structure of the inven-
`tion.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`FORM
`
`[0026] FIG. 1 shows one form of the invention. The
`system has a CPU (central processing unit) 2, a memory 4,
`and interface circuits 6 and 8, these four components being
`connected to each other by a system bus 10. The interface
`circuit 6 is connected to an input device 12, (for example a
`keyboard and mouse) and a display device 14. Interface
`circuit 8 is connected to a storage unit 16, such as a hard disk
`or floppy disk drive. Data input from the input device 12 is
`supplied to the CPU 2 via interface circuit 6 and system bus
`10. Display data is supplied from CPU 2 to the display
`device 14 via the system bus 10 and interface circuit 6.
`
`[0027] Preferably the invention is implemented on a PC
`having at
`least 16 MB RAM and operating system of
`Microsoft Windows 3.11, Windows 95, Windows 97, Mem-
`phis or Windows NT. Preferably Microsoft ACCESS has
`been installed on the storage unit 16 together with data and
`appropriate programmed software to support the invention.
`Alternatively the invention is installed on storage unit 16 as
`a stand alone application independent of Microsoft Access.
`Preferably storage unit 16 also has installed spreadsheet and
`word processing software, for example Microsoft Excel,
`AMIPRO, LOTUS and Microsoft Word.
`
`[0028] Components 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 14 and 16 may be set up
`as a stand-alone computer or may be connected to further
`components in a network. Networks may be of any type, for
`example internet, intranet, local area and wide area net-
`works. The system may therefore be implemented on sepa-
`rate networked computers accessible from all or selected
`levels of an organization.
`
`[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates the main menu of the preferred
`form system shown on display device 14. Using input device
`12 a user may access as menu options a Health and Safety
`Manager module, an Environmental Manager module, a
`Property Manager module, a Staff Manager module, and a
`Training Manager module. Each module is related to a
`particular piece of legislation with which an organization
`must comply. Any system may include more or less or other
`similar modules, such as further modules related to various
`other pieces of legislation or modules relating to manage-
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`ment established objectives and-procedures with which
`compliance is to be monitored, for example ISO accredita-
`tion and compliance.
`
`[0030] The Health and Safety Manager module, accessible
`as an option from the main menu, is directed to compliance
`with occupational health and safety legislation under which
`organizations must typically establish effective methods for
`identifying and managing existing, new and potential
`instances of occupational overuse syndrome (OOS) in the
`workplace and regularly review these to see whether the
`instances of OOS are significant and require further action.
`
`[0031] FIG. 3 shows the Health and Safety Manager
`module user screen presented to the user on display device
`14. This screen displays a plurality of sub-modules which
`may be selected by the user with input device 12. Some of
`the sub-modules comprise text documents, for example the
`Training Document Library,
`the Procedures Document
`Library and the General Document Library. These allow
`various documents (for example on-line manuals on com-
`pliance requirements, standards and guidelines) to be stored
`in storage unit 16 and memory 4 for display on display unit
`14 when selected by the user. The libraries may be preloaded
`on to storage unit 16 and preferably a user may also store
`further information in storage unit 16 based on operational
`experience to build up comprehensive information on the
`organization’s compliance needs.
`
`[0032] The Libraries form part of a conceptual master
`database of information, which may actually be imple-
`mented either as a single database in storage unit 16, or a
`plurality of linked databases installed on storage unit 16, or
`a plurality of databases installed on a plurality of storage
`units. The master database is in contrast to a conceptual
`slave database which may be installed on one or many
`storage units in the same way as the master database. The
`slave database is used to record information about an
`
`organization entered by the user. This information includes
`activities, aspects, effects and controls.
`
`[0033] The invention preferably makes provision for
`supplementing the master database by the entry of compli-
`ance criteria data into master databases from company
`records and the user’s experience as situations arise and
`policy and legislative requirements
`are imposed. For
`example an environmental compliance requirement driven
`by legislation and/or company policy has definable criteria
`and rules.
`
`[0034] Another sub-module of the Health and Safety mod-
`ule, as shown in FIG. 3, is the Hazard Register. Using the
`input device 12, the user may select the Hazard Register
`which results in the form shown in FIG. 4 being presented
`on display device 14. The Hazard Register permits the user
`to store in the slave database information about hazards in an
`
`organization. Ahazard may have been identified in a number
`of ways, for example an accident, an incident, a hazard or
`peril assessment, an audit or an observation. As shown in
`FIG. 4 the user is presented with a comprehensive data entry
`facility, eliciting information such as the particular division
`of the organization, a hazard description, hazard assessment
`and hazard isolation and so forth.
`
`[0035] A common hazard in an office environment is the
`risk to computer operators of OOS.
`
`[0036] This hazard is prevented by the use of appropriate
`office furniture and sensible work rules for example man-
`
`datory rests, and by training on correct posture. A portable
`or mounted digital camera may capture images of an opera-
`tor’s work station. Digital photographs of operator posture
`and work station ergonomics can then be loaded into the
`slave database of the Health and Safety Manager of the slave
`database and compared with a correct example from the
`master database.
`
`[0037] The Hazard Register form allows users to enter
`data in a plurality of formats. One example is the use of a
`list-box or combo-box which retrieve a set of values from
`the master database for the user to select one value. For
`
`example, if the user selects the Hazard Source field in which
`to enter data, the Hazard Register form presents a number of
`alternatives from which the user may select a particular
`hazard source retrieved from the master database. Other
`
`formats which may be used include boxes in which text,
`numerals, currency values, true/false options and or OLE
`formats such as text documents. The Hazard Register form
`includes programmed macro software which ensures that the
`correct type of data is entered into each box. For example,
`the Hazard Register form includes macro software to ensure
`that a currency value is entered into the Control Cost box.
`
`[0038] The Hazard Register, by way of example, forces
`the user to follow a process and pattern of data entry which
`ensures that relevant data is captured, as the relevant data
`must be entered by the user when viewing the Hazard
`Register on display device 14. As the user must in some
`cases select data from a list retrieved from the master
`
`database, this ensures that the data is meaningful. Screen
`displays show where action is required and reports on
`priority issues.
`
`[0039] Following the steps on the various risk assessment
`forms, the invention retrieves data by searching through the
`fields in the master databases. This searching may be imple-
`mented in a number of ways, for example macro code to
`populate a list-box or combo-box, or code to quick-find
`keywords in a section of text or form. Alternatively the
`invention may comprise specific macro code segments for
`searching other components of the invention.
`
`[0040] Data entered into the form is stored in the slave
`database installed in the storage unit 16 to form a profile and
`assessment criteria for the circumstance or activity being
`assessed.
`
`[0041] The invention also includes a risk assessment
`means which constantly compares data in the slave database
`about events such as activities,
`incidents, accidents and
`assessments with compliance criteria from the master data-
`base. By way of example,
`the Hazard Register includes
`Severity and Frequency boxes. The user selects a value for
`the Severity box from a set of criteria retrieved from the
`master database. Preferably the range of values is from 1
`(not severe) to 4 (very severe). The user also selects a value
`for the Frequency box from a range of values, preferably 1
`(infrequent) to 5 (very frequent).
`
`[0042] The invention determines a numerical priority or
`risk assessment rating as the product of severity and fre-
`quency, and places the rating in the rating box. The rating is
`assigned to the activity, incident, accident or assessment and
`stored in the slave database. The invention includes pro-
`grammed macros which bring to the attention of the user
`hazards which exceed a certain rating and labels these
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`hazards as significant. Preferably hazards with a risk assess-
`ment rating above a threshold of 10 are flagged as signifi-
`cant. The user may specify the threshold value, enabling an
`organization to concentrate first on high priority hazards by
`specifying a high threshold, then lowering the threshold to
`concentrate on lower priority hazards. Hazards flagged as
`significant preferably are continually brought to the attention
`of the user until all actions and performance criteria are met.
`Preferably the invention may produce reports detailing par-
`ticular hazards at specific rating thresholds.
`
`[0043] FIG. 5 shows the user screen for another module,
`the Environmental Manager module. This module comprises
`a number of sub-modules including a Training Document
`Library, Procedures Document Library, and General Proce-
`dures Library which contain information on environmental
`compliance requirements, and standards imposed by envi-
`ronmental protection legislation, and guidelines for compli-
`ance with the legislation. The data in the master database
`may be preloaded or may be input by the user based on
`operational experience to build up comprehensive informa-
`tion on the organization’s compliance needs.
`
`[0044] Again the Environmental Manager module pro-
`vides the user with forms with which to update the slave data
`base containing data about events within the organization
`such as environmental incidents and assessment reports. The
`slave database may be updated using a number of sub-
`modules including Environmental Risk Investigation, Envi-
`ronmental Risk Identification, Employee Training etc.
`
`[0045] The master database and slave database associated
`with the Environmental Manager Module operate in the
`same way as in the Health and Safety Manager module
`previously described. FIG. 6 shows the form displayed on
`the input device 12 for the Environmental Risk Investigation
`module. As shown, the invention elicits information from
`the user on environmental risks in the same way as for Heath
`and Safety Hazards as described above.
`
`[0046] The Environmental Manager Module includes an
`Environmental Risk Identification form as shown in FIG. 7.
`
`The form includes an Open Hazard Register box, thereby
`reminding the user that identification of an environmental
`risk requires further input as to hazards. Once the user
`selects, using the input device 12, the Hazard Register, the
`invention automatically traverses to the Hazard Register
`shown in FIG. 4 ready for input by the user. This traversal
`is implemented by a program macro triggered by a click-
`event.
`
`[0047] From the Environmental Risk Identification form
`the user is also able to traverse directly to the Accident
`Register form and the Environmental Risk Investigation
`form. If an actual incident occurs and is entered in the
`
`the
`system, for example into the Hazard Register form,
`system automatically traverses to the Accident/Incident
`Register shown in FIG. 3 where an assessment is made
`about the harm or potential harm of the incident.
`
`[0048] The system then automatically traverses to the
`Employee Training Register where details of training are
`entered and compares these against training criteria obtained
`from the Training Document Library in the master database.
`Details of the training criteria are attached to the personal
`training record for the person involved. The system then
`traverses the personal record to input health assessment data
`
`required by law and prepares the health assessment routines
`required for the persons involved. The traversing function is
`continued to include hazard management for property and
`the environment, thereby providing a comprehensive model
`of management, compliance and control over individual
`situations.
`
`[0049] This traversal is provided by a navigator, the opera-
`tion of which is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. The navigator
`guides the user on a step-by-step basis on the actions
`necessary to implement compliance management proce-
`dures, through the system and through wider networks to
`other systems. Other systems include other software pack-
`ages for example spreadsheet and word processing software
`and other databases. By use of the navigator, the user is able
`to efficiently select data and criteria for assessment from the
`master database of a module and attach it to the compliance
`issue. This navigation and assembly allows efficient and
`accurate compilation of data which ranges from two digit
`numerical ratings to billion bit data objects. The navigator
`may operate on an area wide network or any such network-
`ing system enabling anyone within an organization to use
`and interact with the system making compliance transparent
`at all levels of an organization.
`
`[0050] The navigator uses its tools to locate, import and
`attach virtually unlimited types and amounts of data relating
`to compliance in the master database and attaches this
`information directly to each circumstance, activity and
`entity for entry in