Human factors are an integral component of safe and efficient operations within major hazard facility (MHFs), petroleum and geothermal energy operations (PAGEO). The nature of MHFs and PAGEO means they have major accident potential and many of the safety critical tasks to prevent, mitigate and recover from major accident events (MAE) and major incidents (MI) are human-dependent.
Workers apply their physical and mental capabilities of strength, flexibility, memory, attention, resourcefulness and problem solving to keep the system functioning safely, effectively and efficiently. These capabilities are critical to safety and effective operational performance. Human performance is also constrained by physiology, cognitive ability, memory, attention, and sensory and information processing limits.
Integrating human factors into safety management systems (i.e. the design of systems, equipment, workplaces and processes) supports the desired human performance for performing safety-critical tasks, and for preventing initiation, mitigating the impact and improving recovery efforts of MAEs and MIs.
WorkSafe is conducting a project on human factors within MHF and PAGEO. The project is designed to assist operators progress with integrating human factors into safety management systems by establishing an industry baseline. Approximately 12 operations will be assessed to establish the initial industry baseline for 2022-23.
The selected operations with cover both big and small sites to demonstrate how human factors can be integrated into safety management systems regardless of the size of the operation.
The project will also provide guidance to operators on how to complete their own human factors integration assessment and the results will be used to develop focused guidance campaigns in 2023-24 based on the industry baseline.
Inspectors are using the Human factors self-assessment tool to collect baseline data. This tool is supported by the Human factors self-assessment guide. The Dangerous Goods and Critical Risks Directorate will produce an industry baseline report which will be publicly available. The information in the report will be de-identified and provide operators with an opportunity to compare their results with the overall industry results and track progress towards human factors integration.
If you would like to discuss the project or require further information, please email petreps@dmirs.wa.gov.au
In October 2022, a tanker trailer carrying ammonium nitrate emulsion (ANE) caught fire and exploded approximately 150 kilometres east of Laverton in WA. ANE is commonly used in the manufacture…...
The workplace exposure standard (WES) for welding fumes (not otherwise classified) has been reduced from an eight-hour time weighted average of 5 mg/m³ to 1 mg/m³. The new exposure standard…...
Transitional arrangements apply where duties are new or substantially changed from previous requirements. The Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 (WHS Regulations) include a transitional period allowing duty holders…...
