Kegworth Revisited: A Case for Systemic Thinking
On 8 January 1989, British Midland Flight 92 crashed just short of East Midlands Airport, killing 47 people. But the Kegworth disaster wasn’t just about a mistaken decision, it was the result of multiple system failures.
Getting on the Same Page in Cardiac Surgery: How Shared Mental Models Can Save Lives
A fascinating case study explores how “Shared Mental Models” – a concept proven in aviation and military operations – can transform surgical team performance.
Human Factors in Turnarounds: Key findings and lessons learned
Turnarounds are planned events where significant sections of a process plant are shut down to enable maintenance or projects to be carried out. Despite being planned events, they are inherently non-routine and resource intensive.
The Parable of the Ant: Context Shapes Behaviour
“Context shapes behaviour” – This fundamental principle in human performance is brilliantly illustrated through the Parable of the Ant. This blog traces this powerful metaphor from Herbert Simon’s original insight to modern human factors applications.
The Power of Story in Safety Critical Task Analysis
At first glance, the idea of storytelling in Safety Critical Task Analysis might raise eyebrows. Aren’t we dealing with potential major accident hazards, detailed risk assessments, and objective control measures? Why would something as subjective and emotional as “storytelling” have any place in this context?
Introduction To Link Analysis Using SHERPA
Link Analysis is a simple yet powerful tool that visualises workflows, uncovers critical interactions, and enhances design.
On Crafting Effective and Safe Procedures
In safety-critical industries, having a procedure isn’t enough—it needs to be both accurate and user-friendly. A well-crafted procedure can enhance safety, reduce risks, and streamline operations, but only if it’s easy to follow and understand.
The Psychology Behind Alarm Response: Insights from Human Factors
Alarm systems are vital to process control, but poorly designed alarms can compromise operator performance. We explore the complexities of alarm management and highlights how human factors can optimise control system design.
Incident Investigation: Swimlanes & Sequentially Timed Events Plotting (STEP)
Lydea’s latest blog uncovers Swimlane diagrams as a powerful tool for incident investigation. Featuring a detailed case study on the AB Specialty Silicones explosion in 2019, learn how this tool can map out complex processes, identify latent conditions and active failures, and enhance your understanding of critical events.
Critical Competences: SCTA & risk-informed competence standards
Safety Critical Task Analysis (SCTA) is a well-established process in the UK onshore and offshore petrochemical and oil and gas sectors. It is a systematic process for the assessment and management of human failure.
