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In our May 2000 newsletter, we asked our readers to participate in a survey to poll their views about practices in their company or facility. Survey forms were submitted electronically and anonymously to the AcuSafe News editor. We collected survey results throughout June and a total of 27 people participated. Here are the final tallies:
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Yes
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No
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1.
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In our company,
human factors are directly addressed through a management system
designed to manage these issues.
|
48%
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52%
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|
2.
|
In our company, we
routinely conduct human factors studies.
|
37%
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63%
|
|
3.
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We plan to address
human factors in the next two years in a more comprehensive manner.
|
67%
|
33%
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4.
|
We see human
factors considerations as a major opportunity for reducing risk in
our operations.
|
81%
|
19%
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5.
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We use the
following methods for hazards identification and risk assessment:
|
|
|
|
|
 Job
Safety Analysis |
70%
|
30%
|
|
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Task
Analysis |
52%
|
48%
|
|
|
Job
Observation |
74%
|
26%
|
|
|
Audits
for human factors issues |
19%
|
81%
|
|
|
Human
factors checklists |
59%
|
41%
|
|
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HAZOP
with emphasis on procedures or
other human factors issues |
56%
|
44%
|
|
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Human
factors consultants |
22%
|
78%
|
|
|
Human
error analysis methods |
22%
|
78%
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Based on the small sample size and the fact that respondents volunteered their answers, it is hard to draw broad conclusions about current industry practice. However, our respondents paint an interesting picture of their experience. An overwhelming majority realizes the value of human factors as an opportunity for reducing risk and a majority of those plans to take steps in the near future to more comprehensively evaluate this issue. It appears that presently only job safety analysis and job observation are commonly used as tools for hazards identification and risk assessment, although task analysis, human factors checklists, and procedures HAZOPs also polled a majority.
It would be interesting to see how common practices varied by industry and location; something for an upcoming issue. On that note, I would like our readers to fill out a form with any experiences you would like to share. The stories may be humorous or serious, but should relate to process safety practices. All submissions are anonymous. We will try to share the best stories with our readers in upcoming issues, but will edit the content to exclude any specific company or location information, if provided. For a link on where to submit comments anonymously, go to our
"Shared
Experiences Forum."
AcuSafe is a presentation of
AcuTech Consulting,
©2002, All Rights Reserved
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