Understanding human limitations of control room response became more apparent following the sinking of the semi-submersible P-36 offshore Brazil in March of 2001. The purpose of the work was to improve the way in which human factors is integrated within safety management in hazardous industries, both offshore and onshore. This was achieved through development and validation of the Influence Network (IN) technique. The IN approach is founded on systems theory and provides a method of understanding and measuring the nature of underlying influences that affect safety performance and the likelihood of an undesirable event occurring. The research was undertaken in three main stages:
Influence Network methodology refinement and development
Development of application support tool software
Case studies to test and validate the methodology
The project developed a philosophical approach for the understanding of human limitations in facility control rooms and management and response to alarms.
MMS participation in the project ended in March of 2008 with plans for the research to continue for one additional year.
Additional reports and software developed during the Joint Industry Project are being held proprietary due to co-funding and contracting agreement of the multiple participants.