Safety and Human Factors Considerations in Control Rooms of Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems: Conceptual Issues and Practical Observations

Abstract

All oil and gas pipeline systems are run by human operators (called controllers) who use computer-basedworkstations in control rooms to “control” pipelines. Several human factor elements could contribute to thelack of controller success in preventing or mitigating pipeline accidents/incidents. These elements exist in boththe work environment and also in the computer system design/operation (such as data presentation and alarmconfiguration). Some work environment examples include shift hours, shift length, circadian rhythms, shiftchange-over processes, fatigue countermeasures, ergonomics factors, workplace distractions, and physicalinteraction with control system computers. The major objective of this paper is to demonstrate the critical effectsof human and organizational factors and also to highlight the role of their interactions with automation (andautomated devices) in the safe operation of complex, large-scale pipeline systems. A case study to demonstratethe critical role of human organizational factors in the control room of an oil and gas pipeline system is alsopresented.