Glossary · Change, versions and configuration
Management of change (MOC)
Also known as: MOC
In occupational and process safety, management of change (MOC) is a formal process for assessing, approving, implementing and verifying technical or organizational changes. It covers changes to equipment and processes as well as to procedures, staffing and responsibilities.
- Systems engineering
- Functional safety
In one sentence
Management of change (MOC) assesses technical and organizational changes in operation before they are made, from new equipment to new shift patterns.
Example
A plant that wants to run a robot cell with one operator instead of two runs an MOC review covering the emergency procedure, the reach of the emergency stop devices and the training of the remaining operator.
Explained in context
Context cards connect this term with others to answer one question. Also in British English and German.
How it applies
- Organizational changes: MOC includes changes that no engineering tool records: new staffing levels, contractors, shift patterns, procedures. ISO 45001 requires planned changes affecting occupational health and safety to be controlled.
- Machine safety: Assess each change against the risk assessment and existing safeguards. Temporary changes, such as a bypass during commissioning, need MOC too, with an end date.
- Technical documentation: Operating procedures, permits to work and training records are typical outputs of an MOC and must be updated before the change goes live.
- Evidence: Keep the MOC record with the assessment, approval, implementation check and closure.
Management of change vs. change control
Change control is usually applied to the configuration of a product or system under development or delivery. MOC is applied in operation and explicitly includes organizational changes. In an integrated plant both are needed, and their records should reference each other.