On the Use of Goals, Quantitative Criteria and Requirements in Safety Management

Abstract

A basic element in safety management is the use of quantitative criteria and requirements to control risk and safety barrier performance. In this paper, we challenge this way of thinking. We argue that the prevailing thinking should be replaced by a framework where focus is on the involvement of management in decision-making, through achievement of goals, generation of alternatives and the use of risk analyses, barrier performance analyses and cost–benefit (effectiveness) analyses to compare these alternatives and to the extent possible meet the goals. This means a closer resemblance with the ALARP principle, but is not a direct application of this principle. Challenges related to the practical implementation of such a regime are discussed, in particular the relationship between safety professionals and management, the use of criteria and requirements related to safety impairment loads and barrier performance, the link to industry standards, and the need for involvement by the authorities. The Norwegian offshore oil and gas industry is the starting point for the discussion, but the discussion is to a large extent general. Examples are included to illustrate our way of thinking.