Total Project Planning: Integration of Task Analysis, Safety Analysis and Optimisation Techniques

Safe and successful completion of complex projects in industrial environments requires careful planning and collaboration of different stakeholders. This paper presents the integration of three methods (task analysis, safety analysis, and project optimisation) to apply a holistic approach to complex project planning. The attributes and limitations of the separate elements are discussed, and a case study applying the integrated methodology is presented. The results from the case studies indicate that significant benefits in terms of time, cost and safety can be achieved through the application of the integrated methodology

Design of procedures for rare, new or complex processes: Part 2 - Comparative risk assessment and CEA of the case study

The paper provides the comparative risk assessment for the case in related paper Design of Procedures for Rare, New or Complex Processes: Part 1 - An Iterative Risk-Based Approach and case study (this issue), where the optimization of the pressure testing procedure for an LPG storage sphere is discussed. Both the ‘Original' and the ‘Optimized' procedure alternatives were the subject of a double comparative risk assessment using two different methods, namely, Bayesian Belief Networks using the HUGIN programme and Integrated Dynamic Decision Analysis (IDDA) using the SPACCO programme. Results suggest that the outputs from both methods/programmes were essentially the same, while the differences are mainly related to the results visualization and their subsequent use. In addition, the adoption of the methods has shown a reduction of the overall failure probabilities considering the ‘Original' and ‘Optimized' procedural alternatives respectively. The results of the comparative cost effectiveness analysis between both alternatives suggest that the initial investment on developing and optimizing the procedure is easily compensated by direct savings in implementation costs, as well as by the further savings in delay risks, occupational safety risks and process safety risks. Pertaining uncertainties in the analysis are also discussed. The results were found valuable for the site management on the "how and why" of developing a rare and potentially hazardous test procedure

Exploring the research on managers’ safety commitment through the prism of leadership. Part 2, A systematic literature review

The topic of managers\u27 commitment to safety is increasingly gaining the attention of scholars over the past two decades. Bibliometric analysis (Part 1) explored the managers\u27 commitment to safety through the prism of leadership and outlined how the research on this topic developed over time. We identified the knowledge base and the intellectual structure of the research. Based on the research front and the most important terms, we proposed possible future directions in which this field might develop. Although bibliometric analysis provides a holistic and objective overview of the state of research on this topic, an in-depth insight into the research on managers\u27 safety commitment in relation to leadership is needed. To obtain an in-depth understanding of the research topic, we conducted a systematic review of the literature presented in this paper (Part 2). The content analysis of the publications enabled us to closely examine the evolution of this research topic over the past two decades. Specifically, we explored the theoretical foundations of publications, clarified how the concept was studied in the literature, which methods were used to address the concept, identified antecedents and outcomes of managers\u27 commitment to safety, and proposed a research agenda that would help the scholars to develop this research topic further. The results of the review shed light on the shift in the focus of publications and highlight that managers\u27 commitment is starting to be studied as an independent concept and explored separately from the concepts of safety climate and culture. This indicates a new direction in the research where managers\u27 commitment and leadership are at the fore. The findings of the systematic review of the literature (Part 2) complement the bibliometric analysis (Part 1) and provide a more in-depth picture of the research on managers’ commitment to safety and leadership

Real-world fuel consumption, fuel cost and exhaust emissions of different bus powertrain technologies

Air quality in urban areas is strongly influenced by exhaust emitted by the public transport fleet. The aim of this study was to analyze benefits in the fuel consumption, fuel costs and exhaust emissions when replacing baseline diesel fueled EURO III city buses by the compressed natural gas (CNG)-fueled EURO V buses and by hydraulic series hybrid diesel-fueled EURO V buses. Real-world measurements were performed on the regular bus route to access realistic energy consumption and exhaust emissions. Instantaneous gaseous emission (CO$_2$, CO, NO$_x$ and THC) were measured together with the instantaneous PM$_{10}$ mass emission. Innovativeness of the presented approach thus arises from the systematic comparison of different powertrain technologies under real-world drive cycles and measuring time traces of not only gaseous but also of PM$_{10}$ mass emissions. Furthermore, lumped cycle averaged emissions are interpreted and explained by typical powertrain performance parameters and exhaust emission time traces. Cumulative results indicate that application of the CNG fueled buses does not necessary reduce CO$_2$ emissions compared to diesel-fueled buses whereas reduction in fuel costs is evident. Additionally, it is shown that hybrid operation of the hydraulic series hybrid diesel-fueled bus resulted in higher fuel consumption due to poorly optimized hybrid topology and control strategy. Furthermore, analyses of the time traces point out inadequate lambda control of CNG-fueled buses and nucleation mode-based particle number emissions during deceleration

Risk Assessment and Optimization for New or Novel Processes: Combining task analysis with 4D process simulation-framework and case study.

This paper describes work undertaken as part of the TOSCA project to develop approaches in-tegrating and enhancing safety, quality and productivity. The work reported here combines two existing ap-proaches: task analysis and 4D process simulation to model tasks in a 3D environment, thus creating a 4D model. The 4D model is next used for safety analysis (e.g., HAZOP a structured Hazid study) and optimiza-tion (e.g., Pareto type). The approach is demonstrated on an industrial case study involving the planning of a infrequent cold water pressure testing of LPG storage tanks at a partner site. The results of the case study are presented and discussed. The plant management was provided with a detailed list of the main tasks (22), sub-tasks (115), specific risks identified (procedural delays, occupational safety and process safety) and 19 specif-ic recommendations for safety and time optimization of the planned testing procedure. This information was warmly received by the plant management and field implementation of the procedure is planned for May 2015

Design of procedures for rare, new or complex processes: Part 1 - An iterative risk-based approach and case study

The paper describes a proposed approach for operationalizing the Common Operational Picture concept introduced in the EU FP 7 TOSCA (Total Operations Management for Safety Critical Activities) project, in order to jointly integrate and enhance safety, quality and productivity in the production environment. The approach combines different methods for the description and analysis of plant and operations, including Task Analysis, 4D process simulation, hazard analysis and Pareto optimization, and iterates through them to generate a final procedure. The proposed approach has been demonstrated on an industrial case study related to planning of infrequent cold water pressure testing of LPG storage tanks, and the process and results of this case study are presented and discussed. The plant management was provided with a detailed list of the main tasks (22), sub-tasks (115), the specific risks identified (26, considering procedural delays, occupational safety and process safety) and the specific recommendations (20) for safety and time optimization of the planned testing procedure. The approach was successfully demonstrated as a suitable vehicle for the analysis and planning of rare, complex, unconventional work tasks that are hard to visualize, where the establishment of a Common Operational Picture (COP) among all relevant personnel in the hazardous operations is a must

Remote Risk Assessment: a Case Study Using SCOPE software

A thorough risk assessment requires input from experts in both safety analyses and the system under analysis. The cost of collecting together the required expertise for a short risk assessment may mean that for some small and medium enterprises (SME), the risk assessment is not deemed worthwhile or is completed using a generic form. This is despite the possible safety and performance benefits that can be identified via a thorough risk assessment. This paper presents a case study of a risk assessment on a rare periodic inspection & maintenance procedure planned by a LPG storage and distribution company in Slovenia. The company identified the need to risk assess this procedure and determine possible safety and performance improvements, including analysis of planned human activities. The expertise for this task was available through contacts spread across Ireland, Italy and Slovenia, but the costs of all the experts gathering together at the site were prohibitive. The solution was the use of SCOPE risk assessment software over internet video conferencing. All participants could share their expertise to identify the hazards and control the risks. This paper presents the method used and explores the requirements and benefits of this approac

Design of procedures for rare, new or complex processes: Part 1 - An iterative risk-based approach and case study

The paper describes a proposed approach for operationalizing the Common Operational Picture concept introduced in the EU FP 7 TOSCA (Total Operations Management for Safety Critical Activities) project, in order to jointly integrate and enhance safety, quality and productivity in the production environment. The approach combines different methods for the description and analysis of plant and operations, including Task Analysis, 4D process simulation, hazard analysis and Pareto optimization, and iterates through them to generate a final procedure. The proposed approach has been demonstrated on an industrial case study related to planning of infrequent cold water pressure testing of LPG storage tanks, and the process and results of this case study are presented and discussed. The plant management was provided with a detailed list of the main tasks (22), sub-tasks (115), the specific risks identified (26, considering procedural delays, occupational safety and process safety) and the specific recommendations (20) for safety and time optimization of the planned testing procedure. The approach was successfully demonstrated as a suitable vehicle for the analysis and planning of rare, complex, unconventional work tasks that are hard to visualize, where the establishment of a Common Operational Picture (COP) among all relevant personnel in the hazardous operations is a must