Human Factors Integration for a new chemical plant: Why Bother?
Liz Cullen
Senior Human Factors Consultant
Human Factors
HS(G)48
“Human factors refer to environmental, organisational and job factors, and human and individual characteristics, which influence behaviour at work in a way which can affect health and safety”
ORGANISATION INDIVIDUAL
JOB
Human- Machine
System
Why Bother?
COMAH - HSE guidance for assessors:
Optimised safety
and operability
“The safety report should also show how human factors have been taken into account in the design of equipment and systems (e.g. usability, tolerance of errors, detectability and recovery)”
“It should be clear how human factors have been taken into account in the risk assessment”
Human Factors Integration
An HFIP is a means of ensuring that all HF
issues have been identified and considered FEASIBILITY
CONCEPT
FEED(Front End
EngineeringDesign)
DETAILEDDESIGN/
PRODUCTION
Early integration into
project lifecycle
optimises benefits
HFIP
HUMANFACTORS
Benefits to Nippon Goshei
Helped to optimise: Training Procedures Control room layout DCS interfaces Alarms Fatigue management Human error prevention
Early integration minimised cost and avoided delays
Safety Case accepted 2003
Plant commissioned 2004
Conclusion
Human Factors – Why Bother?
Legal requirement – COMAH
Optimised safety & operability
Integration with project is essential - HFIP
Early within project lifecycle
