Achieving Performance Enhancement Where it Counts; Management Strategies for Exploiting Best Human Factors Practices in Design and Operations Offshore
Authors: Harrison Paul I. 
Published: October 2008

This paper describes strategies for improving the effectiveness of the application of Human Factors Engineering in the design and operation of offshore structures, which have been utilised by the author while working as a Human Factors consultant on a number of European based projects, including the detailed design of 2 offshore installations, and the design and operational phase of a drilling project. The main drivers in the projects were HS&E and lifecycle cost reduction.

The knowledge provided in this paper has applications in 2 main areas. Firstly, to Project Managers/Safety/Lead Engineers, and Human Factors Engineers at the onset of detailed design (or earlier), who wish to maximise the effectiveness with which HF is integrated and benefits realised. Secondly, to research bodies who are developing HF techniques and design guidelines for offshore applications, and who may benefit from some of the insights gained from working within such commercial design projects.

Some important technical, management and organisational "barriers" to the successful realisation of the benefits that Human Factors Engineering approaches can deliver, are discussed. The paper is then aimed at Project and Discipline managers by providing them with an understanding of strategies and techniques to ensure such barriers are overcome, and performance enhancement opportunities are realised in design. The paper discusses the following: The importance of delivering a timely Human Factors philosophy document, that is bought-into by key management personnel / lead engineers; The importance of having an accepted cost benefit model in place, with relevant interventions being recorded, assessed and communicated throughout the project; Managing project teams to maximise the effectiveness of interaction with the Human Factors engineer; The role of training of Lead Engineers at an early stage of design; How to identify and coordinate high priority elements in design, as a mechanism fortargeting and focus of Human Factors resources, and project engineer's efforts; How to improve the use of CAD models for Human Factors applications and benefits.

The knowledge gained from recent European projects, regarding strategies for effective integration of Human Factors Engineering, is valuable since it can be used by Project Managers and Human Factors practitioners. This will assist in ensuring there is careful targeting of Human Factors efforts in future projects such that benefits are fully exploited, and performance enhancements delivered.

Introduction

The recognition that Human Factors Engineering (HFE) is an important aspect of system design and operation has been steadily growing offshore over the past decade. Indeed there have been many papers and articles written over the past years describing the role played by HF as a contributor to major accidents that have occurred, and also quoting the large contribution of human error in the causal chain of incidents reported offshore. The understanding of the importance of HFE may also have been raised through the introduction of some specific Legislation in the UK (e.g. the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, and the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992). This has raised awareness of the risks when work systems and environments are not designed from an ergonomic perspective, which involves designing to match the particular vulnerabilities and strengths of people. Pressure from Regulatory bodies has resulted in greater consideration of Human Factors issues, and recent industry initiatives have also helped raise profile and awareness. For example, the STEP initiative, commits the UK offshore industry to a 50% reduction in ac