The objective is to create a work situation which contributes as much as possible to realising efficient and safe operations, and which takes into account people's opportunities, limitations and needs.
Interaction
Over the last couple of years, several serious incidents have highlighted the connections between factors which are important to both a good working environment and operational safety. Increased knowledge of the interaction between technical and organisational elements - and the people using these - is crucial in understanding the underlying causes of incidents. (The HTO interaction)
Human factors knowledge provides a basis for deeper understanding of what causes human errors. However, in a statistical sense, the human errors are not random, but predictable, and may be caused by a number of factors outside the control of the individual. Human errors are also a precondition for learning and the opportunity to develop and improve the systems. The key is then to take human qualities into account when designing equipment and technology - and make these systems able to handle errors. It is important to maintain a comprehensive focus on factors which influence human behaviour.
In the work to facilitate the avoidance of human error, the most important aspect is to keep in mind that people are also pro-active, solve problems, make systems and facilities more robust and that they are irreplaceable in many systems. If we succeed in facilitating, we will therefore contribute to creating the best preconditions for a good and safe workplace.
Focusing on people
Drilling and wells are examples of areas with great challenges in the interaction between people, technology and organisation. For example, the driller must maintain control of the well, lead the work on the drill floor and deal with technically advanced, screen-based solutions in the drilling cabin. It may thus be challenging to understand, operate and maintain an overview of all the incoming data - and simultaneously maintain control and overview of what is physically taking place on the drill floor.
In modification projects which entail installation of new equipment, it is therefore important to have a clear understanding of the entire work situation, and consider the combined mass of equipment as one system. It is not sufficient to consider the gain from the new equipment in isolation. Risk assessments are often made for new equipment without the existence of overall analyses which consider the entire operation in context.
Major accident risk and HTO
Complex and safety-critical activities will always depend on human actions - which are the precondition for good decisions, safe operations and handling of non-conformities. Although people may make errors, the people in the system are more a source of safety. The competence of managers and employees, as well as their ability to improvise, are thus crucial in re-establishing a safe condition following an unexpected course of events. This fact is an argument in favour of putting greater emphasis on human behaviour as a positive safety factor - in the same way that human behaviour is taken into account in the risk of human error.
HTO, human factors and working environment
There is a clear connection between factors which are important for both a good working environment and operational safety. Increasing knowledge of the interaction between human, technology and organisation - HTO - is central to understanding the underlying causes of incidents, and for success in the preventive work. This HTO perspective is a basic element in the HSE regulations in the petroleum activities.
The technical area human factors comprises methods and knowledge which can be used to assess and improve the interaction between the individual, technology and organisation. The objective is to create a work situation which contributes as much as possible to realising efficient and safe operations, and which takes into account people's opportunities, limitations and needs.
In the relationship between people, technology and organisation, the authorities put particular emphasis on following up:
- psychosocial and organisational factors
- HTO in safety-critical systems
- alarm systems in operation
- competence and training
