FEATURE
Current Human Factors Engineering Practices in the Oil and Gas Sector
By Ir . Danaraj Chandrasegaran , Piryengkasai Gajendran Karthika Rajith ACIEHF D & B Energy Sdn Bhd
FEATURE
Oil and gas ( O & G ) facilities often present significant risks to workers , regardless of their location : onshore or offshore . In light of this , Human Factors Engineering ( HFE ) is an essential domain which addresses the potential hazards resulting from human errors . Effective integration of HFE principles in the early stages of a facility ’ s design can enhance the operability , maintainability and user acceptance of the facilities and equipment . The O & G industry has acknowledged HFE as a major influence towards the development of safe facility designs . However , its implementation in Malaysia has been inconsistent and lacking a comprehensive framework . This article provides an overview of the current HFE practices and experiences , as well as its role in facilities development in Malaysia . It may also serve as a starting point for organisations and practitioners seeking to incorporate HFE in facility development projects .
Human Factors Engineering ( HFE ) is a systems engineering method that considers how people , organisations , facilities and processes interacts with one another . It applies human factors ( HF ) principles to system designs to identify and minimise potential risks associated with human performance . In oil and gas ( O & G ) facilities , HFE is used to recognise and mitigate potential hazardous events with appropriate design solutions and procedures . This approach incorporates physical ergonomics , cognitive performance and organisational factors which results in a more reliable outcome [ 1 ]. The International Association of Oil and Gas Producers ( IOGP ) advocates integrating HF into design strategies by focusing on the five key elements ( refer to Table 1 ) that are critical in implementing HFE in facility development and operations [ 2 ].
The absence of effective HFE integration in the O & G industry leads to the potential for major accidents . The increasing complexity of the O & G
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