Abstract
This paper addresses human performance risk mitigation strategies for incorporation into a Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS). A framework is provided that identifies human factors considerations and evaluation criteria needed for successful integration of Human Factors into a company's SEMS. A methodology is presented for assessing safety culture and the effectiveness of SEMS implementation. Results from employee surveys, taken across various high-risk industries, will be presented. The survey findings illustrate the common difficulties encountered in establishing and maintaining a strong safety culture and the challenges in achieving an effective SEMS.
Successful integration of Human Factors in SEMS for the Oil and Gas Industry can reduce the risks of accidents and manmade disasters, such as the Macondo Well blowout.
Integrating Human Factors into an SEMS might also improve operational efficiency and effectiveness, because Human Factors considers all levels of performance improvement, the individual worker, the work crew (team), and management. Optimum performance by all employees is necessary in order to attain a high level of organizational reliability.
These are some components of Human Factors that contribute to improved safety performance and might help to prevent human error accidents and organizational failures:
Clear specification of personnel qualification standards and required knowledge and skill competencies for both workers and supervisors.
Utilization of advanced simulation training for individuals and teams.
Improved collection, analysis, and display of safety critical well test, and other operational data, with better human – interface technology, improved operational procedures, and continuous technical training.
Identifying critical Human Factors hazards and risk mitigation procedures for inclusion in the overall Safety Environment Management Systems.
Safety training for line supervisors to include human performance and, communication and risk decision- making limitations and High Reliability Organization – HRO – Culture management principles.
Routine assessment of Safety Climate and Culture based on HRO principles – to include valid metrics, benchmarking and desired norms.
These factors are critical components for an effective SEMS - that if missing, or poorly implemented, can serve as the roots of accidents and manmade disasters like Macondo. They are also key areas of assessment that the author has used across industries to evaluate the strength of safety culture and to judge the effectiveness of a successful integration of Human Factors into a company's SEMS. This methodology and lessons learned from the application of these methods can and should be considered for use in the oil and gas industry for achieving a successful implementation of SEMS.
