Linking task analysis with other

process safety activities

Andy Brazier

Tel: (+44) 01492 879813 Mob: (+44) 07984 284642

andy@abrisk.co.uk 1
www.abrisk.co.uk
 Working in silos

HAZOP

QRA
Human factors
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 Prioritise according to risk of MAH
Risk profile QRA, HAZID

Identify deviations leading to MAH

Hazard detail HAZOP, PHR

Barriers

Engineered Human

Hierarchy Task or activity

1. Instrument
2. Alarm Task 1. HMI
3. Trip 2. Deviation response
4. Mechanical
analysis 3. Emergency
HSE Roadmap 4. Generic competence
5. One-off risk assessment
6. Automated
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Bowtie? ALARP
 HAZOP and human factors

Safeguards with human component

Monitoring and control
Alarm response
Training or procedure???
Safeguard maintenance
Tasks considered as potential causes of
deviation
Recommendations.

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Issues with HAZOP and human factors

Not a systematic study of human factors

Human factors principles not always applied
(correctly)
HAZOP is already demanding without adding
human factors
But creating good links between HAZOP and
human factors could be very beneficial.

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Use HAZOP to structure task analysis

HAZOP nodes
Focus on deviations that can result in Major
Accident hazards (MAH)
Use causes of deviations to identify tasks
Consistent reference to causes and
consequences.

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 Identifying tasks
Planned deviations - pressure

Start-up Normal Optimise Shutdown

Pressure

Time

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 Unplanned deviations - pressure

Failure
Controlled Un-controlled Hazard
Start-up
excursion excursion
Pressure

Time

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 Safety critical task analysis

What does ‘safety critical’ mean?

What is a task?
What about non-tasks?
Prioritise to get the maximum benefit from the
effort put in

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 Principles to apply

Area where MAH identified = safety critical

Safety Critical Task (SCT)
There is a clear start and finish
There are discrete steps
A change of status occurs
Safety Critical Activity (SCA) where the critical
aspects are:
Timing (when to perform the task)
Tools and equipment to be used
Information presentation
Decision making 10
 Examples of SCT

Node start-up and shutdown

Starting main items of equipment
Stopping same equipment often simpler
Remove, calibrate and replace relief valve or
bursting disk
Leak or pressure test.

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Examples of SCA & how to address

Control/optimise process
Human Machine Interfaces (EEMUA 191/201)
Emergency response
Emergency planning/staffing assessment
Routine maintenance/inspection
Planning and scheduling
Competence of personnel, permit to work
One-off tasks (e.g. temporary repair)
Risk assessment and management of change.

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SCT or SCA depends on circumstance

Changing operating mode

Manual stop or trip
Check/calibrate transmitter
Function test trip
Maintain process equipment
Contractor management
Prepare plant for maintenance
Normal shutdown?

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 Conclusions

Linking human factors with other process safety

activities has great benefits
Linking all process safety activities should be the aim
Differentiating SCT and SCA helps clarify the
way forward
Needs to be continuous and iterative
Changing the approach to human factors is not the
only requirement
Process safety studies need to be modified to provide
better date for human factors studies.
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