Human Factors in Oil, Gas & Chemical
Risktec provides a wide range of Human Factors services to the UK and international Oil and Gas and Chemicals sector, supporting design and build, operations and decommissioning. We work closely with our clients to help them meet regulatory requirements and to ensure safe and effective systems, processes and operations.
Our areas of expertise
- Upstream: offshore drilling and production – platforms and Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSOs)
- Midstream and downstream: gas plants, pipelines and refineries
- Chemical manufacturers
- Distilleries
- Other upper-tier COMAH sites
Our services
- Human Factors Engineering (HFE) support to major projects, including:
– Task requirements analysis and task analysis:
– Valve Criticality Analysis (VCA)
– Vendor skid package screening and ergonomics review
– Plant / facility layout design reviews, including providing specialist input to 3D model design reviews
– Human Machine Interface (HMI) design, assessment and reviews
– Alarm system design / alarm handling assessment
– Control room studies (including CRIOP)
– Working environment studies in line with NORSOK S-002
- Safety assurance and safety case support
- Safety Critical Task Analysis (SCTA)
- Ergonomics reviews
- Development of procedures, working instructions and job aids
- Safe staffing studies
- Competence assurance
Human Factors oil, gas and chemical projects
Examples of previous Human Factors oil, gas and chemical projects conducted by Risktec’s HF team are outlined below.
Human Factors Engineering (HFE) support major projects
- Risktec authored the IOGP / Energy Institute Recommended Practice (RP) guidance document ‘Human Factors Engineering in Projects’ (EI/IOGP Report no. 454, Revision 2, June 2020).
- Risktec managed Human Factors Integration and provided HFE support to two major onshore refinery design and construction projects in Oman and Kuwait throughout the Detailed Design stage.
- Risktec provided HFE assurance services on behalf of a major oil & gas company during the detailed design of a new offshore development.
Safety Assurance and Safety Case support
- Risktec completed a detailed human factors review of a site COMAH report and supporting documentation on behalf of a UK energy storage company.
- Risktec completed a Human Factors gap analysis of the offshore safety case of a Norwegian drilling contractor against IADC Human Factors Guidance on MODU/MOU Safety Case Content and provided guidance and input to help ensure regulatory compliance.
Safety Critical Task Analysis
- Risktec has completed safety critical activity screening and detailed SCTA / Human Failure Assessment for many offshore operators and onshore (upper tier COMAH sites) including: offshore drilling platforms and FPSOs, chemical manufacturing plants, gas storage facilities, refineries, waste treatment plants and distilleries.
- Risktec has developed and updated company procedures and guidance on SCTA and helped companies to develop in-house competence in SCTA.
Ergonomics reviews
- Risktec completed an alarm system design review (against EEMUA 191 and BS EN 62682) for the vessel management system on a semi-sub drilling rig of a Norwegian drilling contractor.
- Risktec completed a Human Factors review of Super-A Class jack-up drilling rig to ensure acceptability of design for operations in the UK Sector of the North Sea.
Development of procedures, working instructions and job aids
- Risktec updated procedures for vessel transfer and equipment maintenance for a UK gas supplier to ensure compliance with Human Factors recommended good practice.
Safe staffing studies
- Risktec completed a staffing review for a UK chemical manufacturer to assess the continued ability of existing control room operators to manage additional activities following the introduction of plant modifications.
- Risktec completed a Human Factors review of revised staffing arrangements at an underground gas storage facility to assess the adequacy of the resourcing arrangements during Major Accident gas release scenarios.
- Risktec completed a Human Factors review of the resourcing arrangements proposed for the introduction of a new tank farm and loading bay at a distillery in Scotland.
Competence Assurance
- Risktec developed a competence framework for a UK oil and gas organisation to manage the competency of senior managers within the company’s Technical Safety organisation.
- Risktec reviewed the competence management system arrangements of a UK distillery against the key principles from ORR RSP1 ‘good practice’ to identify gaps and areas for improvement to meet regulatory expectations.