Safety performance measurement in collectivized oil companies in China: Contribution of leading indicators to lagging indicators

With the collectivization of the Chinese oil industry, oil companies have been expanding in size. However, the intensified differences in the safety performance of subsidiaries have severely hindered the collaborative management of the headquarters. Understanding the safety status of each member is urgent for parent companies and their subsidiaries to identify gaps and make improvements. A unified set of safety performance indicators and a practical measurement tool are essential for the Chinese oil industry. Hence, this study identified a set of safety performance indicators encompassing both leading and lagging indicators using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and entropy weight method (EWM) to reveal the critical factors affecting the safety performance of the oil industry. A total of 300 front-line workers from eight subsidiaries of an oil company participated in the survey. The identified indicators were preliminarily weighted using EWM. Then, DEA was employed to measure the safety performance of the eight subsidiaries, demonstrating that management commitment was the most crucial factor in distinguishing safety performance; safety culture was more differentiated than risk management. Safety performance was not entirely positively correlated with safety investments, but the reasonable allocation of safety resources played a vital role. In addition, the weaknesses in each subsidiary's safety management were identified, and the quantitative effects of each leading indicator on safety performance were obtained.     

Allocation of performance shaping factors in the risk assessment of an offshore installation

Offshore oil production is one of the most important human productive activities. There are many risks associated with the process of constructing a subsea well, pumping oil to the platform, and transporting it to refineries via underwater pipes or oil tankers. All actions performed by workers in those operations are influenced by specific working conditions, involving the use of complex systems. Contextual factors such as high noise, low and high temperatures and hazardous chemicals are considered to be contributors to unsafe human actions in accident analysis and also give a basis for assessing human factors in safety analysis. Some failure modes are particularly dangerous and can result in severe accidents and damage to humans, the environment and material assets. Fires and explosions on oil rigs are some of the most devastating types of offshore accidents and can result in long-term consequences. The most typical root causes related to accidents include equipment failure, human error, environmental factors, work organization, training and, communication, among others. The principal objective of this study is to propose a methodological framework to identify the factors that affect the performance of operators of an offshore unit for oil processing and treatment. In this phase, an ergonomics approach based on operators' work analysis is used as a supporting tool. After identification of factors that affect the performance of operators, a decision-making model based on AHP (analytic hierarchy process) is applied to rank and weight the principal performance shaping factors (PSFs) that influence safe operations. The next step involves the use of the SHELLO model to group the main PSFs in elements named software, hardware, environment, liveware and organization. In the last phase, a relevant accident that occurred aboard a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel is analyzed. The allocation process of the factors that affect the operator's performance in risk assessment was developed through fuzzy logic and the ISO 17776 standard.     

Actual safety performance of the Malaysian offshore oil platforms: Correlations between the leading and lagging indicators

IntroductionThis study establishes the correlations between performance of a set of key safety factors and the actual lagging performance of oil platforms in Malaysia, hence the relevance of the key safety factors in evaluating and predicting the safety performance of oil and gas platforms. The key factors are crucial components of a safety performance evaluation framework and each key safety factor corresponds to a list of underlying safety indicators.MethodIn this study, participating industrial practitioners rated the compliance status of each indicator using a numbering system adapted from the traffic light system, based on the actual performance of 10 oil platforms in Malaysia. Safety scores of the platforms were calculated based on the ratings and compared with the actual lagging performance of the platforms. Safety scores of two platforms were compared with the facility status reports' findings of the respective platforms.ResultsThe platforms studied generally had good performance. Total recordable incident rates of the platforms were found to show significant negative correlations with management and work engagement on safety, compliance score for number of incident and near misses, personal safety, and management of change. Lost time injury rates, however, correlated negatively with hazard identification and risk assessment. The safety scores generally agreed with findings of the facility status reports with substandard process containment found as a contributor of hydrocarbon leaks.ConclusionsThis study proves the criterion validity of the safety performance evaluation framework and demonstrates its usability for benchmarking and continuous improvement of safety practices on the Malaysian offshore oil and gas platforms.Practical applicationsThis study reveals the applicability of the framework and the potential of extending safety reporting beyond the few conventional lagging safety performance indicators used. The study also highlights the synergy between correlating safety factors to streamline safety management on offshore platforms.     

企业员工不安全行为影响因素量表的初步开发

本文通过大量资料的搜集,概括出了影响员工不安全行为的众多因素,并根据他们的可控性进行了分类.在此理论研究的基础上,用调查问卷的方法,构建了企业员工不安全行为的影响因素量表,并通过spss16.0软件包对其进行因素分析,检验量表的效度和信度,最终形成了四个企业员工不安全行为影响因素正式量表.其中包括:企业员工不安全行为个人安全素质影响因素量表、企业员工不安全行为领导影响因素量表、企业员工不安全行为组织影响因素量表和企业员工不安全行为工作内容和环境影响因素量表.此外,本文还对中交天航第五经理部的施工人员进行了实证研究,用spss16.0软件包对搜集到的数据进行分析,包括:各量表中包含的题项的内部分析、四个量表中所有题项的整体分析和每个量表中的群体差异性分析,并在以上分析的基础上,最终得出了该企业对员工不安全行为影响因素的管理现状.     

电力安全文化评价工具的编制

为探索电力安全文化结构,编制出具有较高信效度的评价工具。对深度访谈、参与观察采集的73个情景性行为片段进行编码分析,获取6个类中心,以此为基础编制量表;经试测和大规模抽样调查,对741名有效样本数据进行因素分析和信效度检验。结果表明:电力安全文化的评价指标由管理效力、人性观、规则执行、公平公正性和工作态度构成;因子分析所获因子与理论构想的类中心基本吻合,验证性因素分析所有指标均证明模型拟合较好;量表的再测信度为0.956(P<0.001),内部一致性系数为0.932(P<0.001)。所有统计结论表明,电力安全文化评价工具具备较高信效度,可以用于评估电力企业安全文化。     

Developing leading indicators from OHS management audit data: Determining the measurement properties of audit data from the field

IntroductionOHS management audits are one means of obtaining data that may serve as leading indicators. The measurement properties of such data are therefore important. This study used data from Workwell audit program in Ontario, a Canadian province. The audit instrument consisted of 122 items related to 17 OHS management elements. The study sought answers regarding (a) the ability of audit-based scores to predict workers' compensation claims outcomes, (b) structural characteristics of the data in relation to the organization of the audit instrument, and (c) internal consistency of items within audit elements.MethodThe sample consisted of audit and claims data from 1240 unique firms that had completed one or two OHS management audits during 2007–2010. Predictors derived from the audit results were used in multivariable negative binomial regression modeling of workers' compensation claims outcomes. Confirmatory factor analyses were used to examine the instrument's structural characteristics. Kuder–Richardson coefficients of internal consistency were calculated for each audit element.ResultsThe ability of audit scores to predict subsequent claims data could not be established. Factor analysis supported the audit instrument's element-based structure. KR-20 values were high (≥ 0.83).ConclusionsThe Workwell audit data display structural validity and high internal consistency, but not, to date, construct validity, since the audit scores are generally not predictive of subsequent firm claim experience. Audit scores should not be treated as leading indicators of workplace OHS performance without supporting empirical data.Practical applicationsAnalyses of the measurement properties of audit data can inform decisionmakers about the operation of an audit program, possible future directions in audit instrument development, and the appropriate use of audit data. In particular, decision-makers should be cautious in their use of audit scores as leading indicators, in the absence of supporting empirical data.     

Investigating ethnic minorities' perceptions of safety climate in the construction industry

IntroductionAn increasing number of ethnic minorities (EMs) have been employed in the construction industry to alleviate severe labor shortages in many countries. Unfortunately, statistics show that EMs have higher fatal and non-fatal occupational injury rates than their local counterparts. However, EMs are often underrepresented in safety climate (SC) research as they are difficult to reach and gauge their perception. A positive relationship has been widely found between SC and safety performance. Understanding the safety perceptions of EMs helps to reduce injuries and improve their safety performance.MethodBased on a sample of 320 EMs from 20 companies in the construction industry, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to identify the SC factors of EMs, and validate the extracted factors, respectively. Multivariate analysis of variance was undertaken to examine mean differences in perceptions of SC by personal characteristics.ResultsThree SC factors for EMs encapsulating 16 variables were identified through EFA. The hypothesized CFA model for a three-factor structure derived from EFA showed a satisfactory goodness-of-fit, composite reliability, and construct validity.ConclusionsThree SC factors were identified, namely: (a) safety management commitment, safety resources, and safety communication; (b) employee's involvement and workmate's influence; and (c) perception of safety rules, procedures and risks. The perceptions of SC differed significantly by nationality, marital status, the number of family members supported, and drinking habit.Practical applicationsThis study reveals the perception of EMs toward SC. The findings highlight the areas for safety improvement and provide leading indicators for safety performance of EMs. The findings are also enlightening for countries with a number of EMs, such as the United Sates, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, and the Middle East.     

Resilience-based approach to safety barrier performance assessment in process facilities

The performance assessment of safety barriers is essential to find vulnerable elements in a safety barrier system. Traditional performance assessment approaches mainly focus on using several static indicators for quantifying the performance of safety barriers. However, with the increasing complexity of the system, emerging hazards are highly uncertain, making it challenging for the static indicators to assess the performance of safety barriers. This paper proposes a resilience−based performance assessment method for safety barriers to overcome this problem. Safety barriers are classified according to their functions first. The dynamic Bayesian network (DBN) is then introduced to calculate the availability function under normal and disruption conditions. The ratio of the system's availability, when affected by the disruption, to the initial availability, is used to determine the absorption capacity of the system. The ratio of the quantity of availability recovery to the total quantity of system represents the adaptation and restoration capacity of the system. The system's resilience is represented by the sum of absorption, adaptation, and restoration capacities. The wax oil hydrogenation process is used to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed methodology.     

基于多层次灰色评价理论的海洋输油管道安全评估方法

针对海上输油管道在多层次、多变量、多种非定量因素的影响下缺乏有效定量评估手段的情况,建立输油管道体系的多层次安全评估指标,结合层次分析法,确定各层指标对应的权重,提出采用多层次灰色理论,对输油管道体系进行安全评估,将风险影响程度进行定量化处理,给出了在役输油管道的可靠性量化结果。多层次灰色评估方法针对少数据、小样本、信息不完全和经验缺乏的不确定性问题有着计算简便、直接、科学和实用的特点,可为海上输油管道的在役安全评估提供一种有效手段。     

Assessment and improvement of integrated HSE and macro-ergonomics factors by fuzzy cognitive maps: The case of a large gas refinery

This study analyzes and assesses the integrated health, safety, environment (HSE) and ergonomics (HSEE) factors by fuzzy cognitive maps (FCM) approach. This is achieved through integrating ergonomic and macro-ergonomic as well as occupational health and safety arrangements in an integrated modeling for assessment of their multi-faceted impact on workers' productivity, injury rate and satisfaction. This paper uses FCM to assess the direct and indirect effects of HSEE factors on system performance indicators. The results of FCM are used to develop leading indicators useful for proactive management of productivity, injury rate, and job satisfaction. The result of a comprehensive survey of 37 experts in control rooms and maintenance activities in a large gas refinery is used to show the applicability and usefulness of FCM approach. Moreover, FCM results are used to determine the causal structure of HSEE factors and system performance indicators. It is concluded that macro-ergonomics factors such as instructions and education, familiarity with organization's rules, and proper communications most contribute to improve workers' safety, satisfaction, and productivity.     

Developing a competency model for safety professionals: Correlations between competency and safety functions

IntroductionPersonal competency is an important factor influencing individual performance. The objective of this study was to develop a competency model of safety professionals and investigate the factors contributing to their competency to achieve greater safety performance.MethodIn this study, 299 participants (153 safety professionals and 146 safety educators) completed self-administered questionnaires. The response rate was 75%.ResultsThe results of exploratory factor analysis and cluster analysis revealed that the competency scale for safety professionals comprised five factors. Additionally, the factor “safety and health training and management” explained most of the variance in the competency. The multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) results showed that the respondents’ perception of professional competency was significantly influenced by the following factors: occupation, age, job tenure, level of education, and work status. Additionally, the Pearson product–moment correlation coefficient analysis indicated that a safety professional's perceived competencies and safety functions were positively correlated.Impact on industryThis study discusses possible reasons for the influence of the factors previously mentioned and explains how the results can contribute to the development of safety competencies and curricula.     

Safety management system: Development and validation of a multidimensional scale

The literature has recognised that implementing a safety management system is the most efficient way of allocating resources for safety, since it not only improves working conditions, but also positively influences employees’ attitudes and behaviours with regards safety, consequently improving the safety climate. The safety climate and the safety management system are considered basic components of the firm's safety culture in various models. However, the literature has focused more on measuring the safety climate, while few studies have correctly tested the psychometric properties of the instruments used to measure how advanced the firm's safety management system is. This paper reviews the most important works on safety management, with the aim of developing a measurement scale operationalising the safety management system concept, and subsequently calculating its reliability and validity. For this purpose, exploratory factor analyses and confirmatory factor analyses are conducted, using structural equation models, on a sample of 455 Spanish companies. This scale provides organisations with a tool for evaluating their situation with regards safety management, as well as guidance about which areas they must improve if they wish to reduce occupational accidents.     

未确知测度模型在爆破工程安全评价中的应用

结合当前工程爆破的实际情况,从安全管理、安全技术、安全防范三方面出发,建立了一套完备的爆破工程安全评价的二级指标体系.针对指标体系中诸多因素的不确定性问题,在未确知测度理论的基础上,构建了爆破工程安全评价的未确知测度模型.通过对单指标未确知测度、多指标综合测度的计算以及指标定权等过程,实现了对爆破工程的安全综合评价.在各评价指标权重和识别准则的确定上,分别采用了信息熵和置信度识别准则,避免了模糊层次分析法中在这两方面的缺陷,使评价结果更具客观性.实例分析表明,运用未确知测度模型进行爆破工程安全评价问题的研究,理论上是可行的,评价结果是可信的,从而为爆破工程的安全综合评价提供了一种新方法.     

职业安全绩效指标研究

为了建立企业安全生产长效机制,提高安全管理水平,预防事故的发生,笔者在研究国内外企业安全绩效要素及分类方法的基础上,提出了包含10个一级要素及50个二级要素的企业安全绩效指标体系,并就指标的设立原则、定义、权重的确定和应用进行了阐述示例。同时,也为政府安全监管部门提供了科学决策的依据。     

煤矿员工风险感知量表开发与应用

为检验矿工风险感知水平,提升其对风险的认知和应对能力,基于文献分析和访谈研究提取矿工风险感知初始测量指标,并编制测量量表,通过对162份调查数据的项目分析、探索性因子分析,净化测量指标体系,并明确矿工风险感知的测量结构;然后采用AMOS21.0软件对226份调查数据进行验证性因子分析;最后采用描述性统计和差异性分析等方法对该量表进行具体应用。研究结果表明：所构建的矿工风险感知测量体系包含风险知识和态度、风险后果认知2个维度、10个测量指标;所编制的矿工风险感知测量量表具有较好的信度、内容效度、聚合效度和区分效度;本量表在不同年龄、学历、婚姻状况、工种和工作年限的矿工群体间具有普遍适用性。量表可为煤矿员工的风险感知水平测量提供可行工具。     

基于AHP-熵权法的输气站场区块风险因素权重确定方法研究

为合理地体现主、客观风险因素对输气站场安全状况的影响,综合运用AHP和熵权法在确定权重方面的优势,在充分尊重专家经验的基础上,最大限度地削弱了权重确定的主观性.针对输气站场设施种类繁多、数量巨大,且分布既相对独立,又相互联系的特点,以工艺流程单元为大致框架,并兼顾设施共性风险因素,将输气站场划分为了清管器收发区、计量区、压气区、阀组区、安全仪表系统区等10大风险区块,并重点关注各区块内关键设备在运行期间的风险因素,最终建立起了10大区块62小项的输气站场两级风险评价指标体系.权重确定过程利用yaahp层次分析法软件和Excel辅助计算,大大降低了数据处理的工作量,同时保证了计算结果的准确性.     

A framework for resilience assessment in process systems using a fuzzy hybrid MCDM model

Resilience engineering (RE) has recently emerged as a novel safety management paradigm in socio-technical organizations. It is believed that RE is more compatible with the characteristics of complex socio-technical systems. The multicriteria nature and the presence of both qualitative and quantitative latent factors make RE substantially more complex especially in quantifying and modeling aspects. To address this issue, the present research aims to develop a fuzzy hybrid multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) model for quantifying and evaluating resilience using the fuzzy Analytic hierarchy process (F-AHP) and fuzzy VIKOR (F-VIKOR) techniques. Initially, an evaluation framework including six resilience indicators and 43 sub-indicators was established. Afterward, the F-AHP method was used to determine the weight of the resilience indicators, while the F-VIKOR method was employed to rank the resilience performance of the different operational units. To present the model capability, we evaluated the resilience of a gas refinery as a typical instance of socio-technical systems. The findings revealed the performance level of resilience indicators in all units of the studied refinery and their ranking based on the computation of the index value (Qi). With respect to the Qi values, the best and worst performance of units from the resilience perspective was specified. Results indicate that the proposed model can serve as an effective evaluation approach in complicated systems and can be used to effectively design strategies to improve system safety performance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates the resilience using the VIKOR and AHP in a fuzzy environment in the process industry.     

Measuring safety climate in aviation: A review and recommendations for the future

This paper reviews 23 studies that have examined safety climate within commercial and military aviation. The safety climate factors identified in the aviation safety climate questionnaires were found to be consistent with the literature examining safety climate in non-aviation high reliability organizations. Therefore, it was concluded that the aviation safety climate tools had some construct validity (the extent to which the questionnaire measures what it is intended to measure). However, the majority of the studies made no attempt to establish the discriminate validity (the ability of the tool to differentiate between organizations or personnel with different levels of safety performance) of the tools. It is recommended that rather than constructing more aviation safety climate questionnaires, researchers should focus on establishing the construct and discriminate validity of existing measures by correlating safety climate with other metrics of safety performance. It is recognized that the accident rate in commercial aviation is too low to provide a sufficiently sensitive measure of safety performance. However, there are other measures of safety performance, collected as part of a company’s Aviation Safety Action Program or Flight Operational Quality Assurance, which could be used to assess the discriminate validity of an aviation safety climate tool.     

石化企业危险化工工艺风险等级评估指标分解

伴随石化企业的迅猛发展,危险品越来越多,生产条件越来越苛刻,同时带来的是更为重大的风险隐患以及安全事故,因此对危险工艺的风险评估就显得尤为重要.考虑到目前还没有什么好的方法来判别某种工艺就一定是危险化工工艺,因此本文在国家安监总局划分的15种危险化工工艺的基础上,根据危险化工工艺表征涉及的影响因素,结合化工工艺的实际情况,选择具有典型代表意义的重要性评价指标作为研究对象,建立了由67个具体指标形成的动态指标体系,并运用指标分类分解方法对各个指标进行量化,最后采用模糊数学综合评价对危险化工工艺进行了软件化评估,从而为政府和企业加强安全管理提供了便利,进一步实现石化企业的本质安全化.