Human Factors in Health and Safety: A professional development programme for the process industries

Background and introduction
There is an increasing emphasis on the importance of managing 'human factors' to achieve improved safety and business performance in the chemical process industries. Major accidents, including those at Texas City and Buncefield, have once again highlighted the importance of addressing this aspect of performance. However, many of the safety and operational professionals charged with managing human factors have no formal qualifications or training in the behavioural sciences. To help address this gap, The Keil Centre and IChemE have organised this 2-year development programme. This is an IEHF Recognised Course. It builds upon the needs identified in the process industries, namely:

• content covering human factors in process safety, health and safety generally, with links to other aspects of business performance
• a modular course design, with short residential events spread over time, also providing networking opportunities with like-minded professionals
• consultancy skills development to help implement human factors solutions.

Who should attend?
This event is specifically designed for and will be of interest to internal human factors advisors/focal points, operations managers, HSE advisors and specialists, industry regulators, who want a thorough grounding in the subject matter, access to practical research-based tools and approaches, and discussion in small groups with acknowledged industry experts.

What is involved?
A two-year programme, comprising four intensive two-day events supported by course reading, which together form a broad human factors educational programme. This is the second time this course has been delivered - the first having finished in April 2010 with 50 delegates. The two-day events will alternate between Schipol, Netherlands and Edinburgh, UK. This basic structure above caters for two audiences, specifically those who want to complete the whole programme, who would complete the initial consultancy skills pre-reading, and all four two-day events, leading to an IChemE and IEHF Certificate of Course Completion,and those who wish to attend single events (subject to availability). Reduced rates and priority booking are available for those who commit to the whole programme. Each two-day event will be strictly limited to 50 delegates, cover 4 key human factors topics. At each event, the total group split into two sub-groups (A and B), with each sub-group further split into syndicates of six. Each event will have the same basic structure: each session delivered by a recognised human factors professionals, with significant process industry experience; a mix of theory, case study, discussion and practical exercises in small syndicates; and identification of key success factors in implementation, and associated consulting skills.

About the organisers
This programme has been developed by IChemE in association with The Keil Centre. IChemE is the hub for chemical, biochemical and process engineering professionals worldwide. We are the heart of the process community, promoting competence and a commitment to sustainable development, advancing the discipline for the benefit of society and supporting the professional development of members. IChemE has a range of products and services to help members to maintain awareness of developments in their field and support their CPD. These include: promotion and lobbying, professional qualification support, specialist subject groups, training solutions, publications; and conferences and seminars. The Keil Centre is a private firm of Chartered psychologists based in Edinburgh, UK. The Keil Centre has long-established links with the process industries through involvement in IChemE safety conferences, seminars and symposia, the European Process Safety Centre, and international commercial consulting activities. See www.keilcentre.co.uk for more details.

Detailed course content
The topics are organised to cover the UK Health and Safety Executive’s top human factors in major hazard sites, and other current issues, eg process safety culture and leadership. The content has been developed in consultation with IChemE’s safety and loss prevention specialists. For further information:
Course Brochure and Booking Form - www.icheme.org/humanfactors
IChemE Conference Manager - Rosemary Cragg rcragg@icheme.org
Course Director - Ronny Lardner, The Keil Centre ronny@keilcentre.co.uk