Human Factors in Process Safety

Session Chair:

• Greg Mogan, Woodside Energy Ltd. 

Session Co-Chair:

• Jan Evans, ConocoPhillips

Session Description: 

Most process safety accidents begin with a human error. Most protective barriers fail as a result of a human error either in their design, fabrication, operation or maintenance.
Given these two facts it is easy to conclude that humans are, by far, the weakest link in the sophisticated and complex systems that protect us from catastrophic process safety events. The next step change in process safety is likely to come from a growing awareness of how to analyse human behaviour and design management systems to minimize its risk. This session will include presentations ranging from the theory behind human factors with some dramatic examples to applications in industry.     

Schedule:

Human and Organisational Factors in Process Safety: The Top-Ten Issues

Ronny Lardner, Founder, The Keil Centre Limited 

There is an increasing emphasis on the importance of managing “human factors” in the process industries, to achieve improved safety and business performance. Many major safety and environmental incidents, including those at Varanus Island and Montara have highlighted the importance of addressing this aspect of performance. However, many people find the term human factors unclear, incorrectly assuming it is identical to behavioural safety, or synonymous with safety culture.  In the UK, the national health and safety regulator has provided an operational definition of the key human factors issues relevant to ensuring safety in hazardous industries. The presenter has found that this practical way of defining the scope of human factors is relatively unknown in Australia, and therefore the purpose of this session is to outline key elements of this approach, and direct the reader to further information, support & resources. Outcomes will include

• Knowledge of the “top-ten” human factors topics relevant to safety in hazardous industries
• Understanding of how the “top-ten” relate to the delegate’s own organisation
• Awareness of the range of high-quality, freely-available tools and guidance on these topics, which can be used to improve safety and business performance

​Thinking: A User’s Guide

Martin Anderson, Woodside Energy Ltd.

In this short presentation I will show that we are all susceptible to a variety of thinking errors, which can have disastrous consequences.  The session will increase awareness of our fallibilities in decision making and outline some coping strategies to reduce these thinking errors.  I will commence with a layman’s introduction to the psychology (e.g. memory, habits, shortcuts); outline fast and slow thinking (what’s the difference - and why important); summarise some common mind traps (showing how they are part of our everyday language) – using Macondo as an example of confirmation bias - then conclude with tips on managing mind traps and staying mindful.  

Workforce Engagement in Human Factors and Process Safety

Mark Leigh, ConocoPhillips

Process Safety is an outcome  - the result of many parts of the business coming together. Success is dependent on a Sound understanding of what constitutes Process Safety, and how Human Factors have a role in driving performance. The presentation will show that Major Accident Events are not rare, and that Human Factors are key. It will show how one Business has adopted aspects of Human Factors thinking to deliver improvements in Process Safety