Improving HSE Performance by Management of Human Factors

Abstract Management of human factors is recognized as an essential role in the control of risk. Human factors cover a wide range of issues, which include the perceptual mental and physical capabilities of people and the interactions of individuals with their job and working environments, the influence of equipment and systems design on human performance, and the organizational characteristics that influence safety related behavior at work (1). At PTTEP statistics over a number of years were analyzed; the result showed that "human factors" was the root cause behind most accidents. In order to improve human behavior, several schemes were introduced all aimed at increasing HSE awareness and consciousnesses of all personnel. These approaches included: HSE training improvement;Monthly HSE publication (HSE bulletin);Safety alert;HSE information board;HSE promotion campaigns such as monthly quiz, unsafe act / condition reporting campaign;HSE exhibition week;Contractor HSE forum; etc. It is also a real challenge to assess the achievement of the above schemes. One of the assessment tools is the HSE awareness survey. A HSE awareness questionnaire was created. It is not only to evaluate the level of health, safety and environmental awareness of company personnel but also to provide a guideline for improving HSE promotion and communication of the company, as a result. The HSE awareness survey results for the past 3 years showed that the level of HSE awareness progressively increased when comparing the results of 1998 with 2000. There was about 15% improvement. Whereas, the trend in the number of recordable incidents per million man-hours is steadily decreased. The 2000 results were nearly half of 1998.