Formal Safety Assessment Methodology Research Articles

Optimization of captain’s safety management

The article is devoted to the maritime safety issues in terms of captain’s management activity. Effective and safe management of captains can be achieved by identifying the importance of considering psychophysiological factors in the selection of seamen personnel, including captains, in conjunction with their managerial qualifications and high level of legal culture (knowledge and real willingness to strictly follow legal prescriptions and regulations), and by using a formal safety assessment method in relation to maritime crew management risks.
 The authors made a conclusion that the causes of accidents are rooted in the conflict between two main components: subjective (behavior – managerial decision) and objective (vessel and situation), in fact, the captain's personality (or behavior) complies with the requirements of the situation or technical condition of the vessel.
 Psychophysiological selection aims to identify abilities and qualities that appropriate professions, accompanied by significant neuropsychological strain, the severity of stressful situations, etc. It appeared that reaction disorder play a decisive role in one-third of all accidents, ergo, psychophysiological selection can reduce maritime casualties by 20-25%. In this respect, the application of the formal safety assessment method in combination with psychophysiological selection in the context of optimizing captain's safety management is proposed. The authors considered the professional selection of captains based on stable psychophysiological states and qualification while assessing the risks via formal safety assessment methodology as a dual basis of the maritime safety.
 The functional dependence of maritime safety on the policy of the shipping companies is defined: a) risk assessment, which allows to connect legal norms of safety directly with actions of the captain as much as possible, based on modelling of a situation; b) personnel activity, carried out on the basis of professional and managerial abilities of captains and taking into account the psychophysiological states; c) the level of legal culture (knowledge and strict adherence to safety rules and regulations) of the captain, who operates within the commercial, social and safety sectors, based on the complex of legal rules and regulations governing these sectors.

Updating threshold for IMO cost-benefit assessment

ABSTRACT The International Maritime Organization rule-making process utilizes a set of guidelines for the so-called Formal Safety Assessment (FSA). This process is based on a risk assessment and its purpose is to ensure that the risk to human health and life and to marine environment is tolerable. A central instrument in the FSA methodology is known as ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) principle which ensures that the risk is controlled in a rational and cost-effective manner. The FSA Guidelines recommend the use of monetary thresholds for performing the cost evaluation and provide an example of indices for measuring the cost efficiency. For risks involving fatalities, these measures require the use of a monetary threshold derived from the concept of Cost of Averting a Fatality (CAF). Due to the linkage to economic parameters, this threshold needs to be updated regularly to allow for correct cost-benefit assessment in the FSA context.

Improved formal safety assessment methodology using fuzzy TOPSIS for LPG-fueled marine engine system

In this study, a risk assessment of a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) marine engine system being developed for installation in the first LPG-powered ship in South Korea was performed and a new standard for a formal safety assessment (FSA) was proposed. Based on the FSA technique, hazards were identified through a failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) in the first stage. An FMEA workshop was conducted to assess 110 components, and 89 hazards were identified. Of these, 19 failure modes of intolerable level were identified, and risk ranks were divided into four groups. Then, a more objective risk assessment was conducted using fuzzy set theory to compensate for the subjectivity of FMEA. Additionally, a technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) was used to represent the risk rank of individual systems more precisely. By the second stage, risk ranks could be divided into 28 groups through the classification of a total of 89 hazards. Finally, risk control options were presented for high-ranking hazards according to the fuzzy TOPSIS results, and a cost-benefit analysis was performed. Consequently, the gross and net costs of averting a fatality were calculated as US $2.98 million and US $2.93 million, respectively. Through a cost-benefit analysis, the periodic exchange of main critical components was found to be in the range of economic criteria that could be recommended as a safety standard. The risk assessment technique proposed in this study allows a more objective and effective selection of critical hazards that necessitate risk control measures.

Consequence modelling for Arctic ship evacuations using expert knowledge

Risk-based decision-making is central to the development of Arctic shipping policy and regulation. Policy-makers within the International Maritime Organization rely on the Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) methodology to evaluate proposed regulatory changes and Arctic ship operators rely on it to establish operating limits and procedures. The FSA recommends incorporating life-safety consequence in the assessment of maritime industry risk. This paper presents an expert-based assessment of the factors that influence the potential for loss of life during an Arctic ship evacuation and quantified consequence severities for a range of evacuation scenarios. A two-phased mixed methods design is used to elicit expert knowledge. Sixteen experts in the fields of Arctic seafaring, policy and regulation, academia and research, and ship design participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews elicited perspectives on the factors that influence the expected number of fatalities resulting from an evacuation in Arctic waters. Surveys were administered in which evacuation scenarios were rated for the level of life-safety consequence severity they pose. This study provides a scenario-based life-safety consequence model for Arctic ship evacuations. Results show evacuation of passenger vessels poses the highest consequence severity of evaluated ship types. Response time and the time available to evacuate have the greatest levels of influence on consequence severity. Implications for Arctic marine policy include the need for enhanced competency and training for Arctic ship crews and SAR services, continued research and development of Arctic life-saving appliances to satisfy Polar Code functional requirements, heightened regulatory oversight of Arctic cruise operations, and consideration of inclusion of fishing vessels under the Polar Code. Application of the results to the FSA methodology is discussed.

Formal Safety Assessment of a Marine Seismic Survey Vessel Operation, Incorporating Risk Matrix and Fault Tree Analysis

In maritime safety research, risk is assessed usually within the framework of formal safety assessment (FSA), which provides a formal and systematic methodology to improve the safety of lives, assets, and the environment. A bespoke application of FSA to mitigate accidents in marine seismic surveying is put forward in this paper, with the aim of improving the safety of seismic vessel operations, within the context of developing an economically viable strategy. The work herein takes a close look at the hazards in North Sea offshore seismic surveying, in order to identify critical risk factors, leading to marine seismic survey accidents. The risk factors leading to undesirable events are analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. A risk matrix is introduced to screen the identified undesirable events. Further to the screening, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is presented to investigate and analyse the most critical risks of seismic survey operation, taking into account the lack of historical data. The obtained results show that man overboard (MOB) event is a major risk factor in marine seismic survey operation; lack of training on safe work practice, slippery deck as a result of rain, snow or water splash, sea state affecting human judgement, and poor communication are identified as the critical risk contributors to the MOB event. Consequently, the risk control options are focused on the critical risk contributors for decision-making. Lastly, suggestions for the introduction and development of the FSA methodology are highlighted for safer marine and offshore operations in general.

Risk analysis for RoPax vessels: A case of study for the Strait of Gibraltar

The Strait of Gibraltar (SOG) is one of the principal navigation areas in the world. The maritime traffic registered in the area is approximately 110,000 ship movements per year, where thirty-three per cent of total traffic involves roll on/roll off passenger (RoPax) ships which run scheduled voyages between ports in the area. There are presently many accidents involving this type of ship being reported. Although these incidents have serious consequences, both based on a financial scale and regarding human safety, there is no formal maritime risk analysis study for this area carried out to date. The aim of this paper is to present the results of a risk analysis for RoPax ships operating in the SOG, based on accidents statistics covering the period 2000–2011. The work has been performed using the two first steps of the IMO Formal Safety Assessment methodology: Hazard Identification and Risk analysis. To identify the hazards and their associated scenarios and quantify, their frequencies and consequences, the Historical Accident Data Analysis and Expert Judgement techniques were used. A risk matrix has been drawn up to calculate the risk indices of the identified hazards. A comparative study of the accident frequencies obtained from similar previous studies is also presented in the paper. A high-level model risk for collisions was established through the elaboration and quantification of an Event Tree, calculating the individual and social risks. The conclusions of this study could serve as recommendations to be used in a subsequent decision making process.

Formal Fire Safety Assessment of Passenger Ships

Fire has been a major cause of ship's accidents throughout maritime history. It is by far the most serious threat to life and the environment as passenger ships get larger and more sophisticated. It is also impossible to protect a passenger vessel against all hazards. Despite the fact that a passenger ship contains potential fire hazards in the engine room space, accommodation zone and electrical systems, etc, the single most important fire hazard onboard a ship may be the man himself, either unintentionally or intentionally. 'Fire safety on passenger vessel' has continued to be the focus of attention on passenger ships. The work described in this thesis is concerned with the application of Formal Fire Safety Assessment to passenger ships. The traditional way of conducting a Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) employs typical fire safety analysis methods that require a certain amount of data. Most fire accident data available for passenger vessels is associated with a high degree of uncertainty and considered to be unreliable. As such, the research carried out in this thesis is directed at the development of novel fire safety analysis methods to address this problem. This thesis proposed several subjective fire safety analysis methods for passenger vessels within the FSA methodology. Also, it concentrates on developing an advanced approach for passenger ships. A few novel safety analysis and synthesis methodologies are presented to integrate fire safety assessment with decision-making techniques so that fire safety can be taken into account from the concept design /operation stages of passenger ships. This is to ensure a more controlled development process permitting decisions regarding design and operation to be made based on fire safety assessment. Finally, this thesis is concluded by summarising the results of this research project and the areas where further effort is required to improve the developed methodologies.

Designing a Risk Assessment Matrix for Algerian Port Operations

Port approach for merchant ships (regarding docking) is a special event related to the safety of ships and port facilities. This maneuvre is for emergency situations, and the consequences can be very damaging because there is a high risk of occurrence and severity can be high. In Algeria, 90% of foreign trade depends on shipping, and commercial vessels must dock in the port safely. This study aims to contribute to the management of risks associated with port operations by designing a matrix for specific assessment of this type of risk based on analysis of several incidents and accidents regarding maneuvring ships in Algerian ports. The design of the evaluation matrix of risks associated with port operations in Algeria is done in the context of the application of the Formal Safety Assessment methodology for improved performance of this method regarding precision and accuracy of results.

An Application of FSA Methodology to the Safety of Bulk Chemical Tankers

Based on detailed analysis of the risk of bulk chemical tanker transportation, a societal risk acceptance criterion is established. The criterion takes advantage of formal safety assessment (FSA) methodology, which is widely used to analyze risk in maritime industry. In the end of this paper, the negligible range, the ALARP range and the intolerable range of bulk chemical tanker in China are estimated in the criterion.

국적일반화물선 초기안전성평가(High-level FSA) 연구(2)

본 논문은, 국적일반화물선 공식안전성평가(Formal Safety Assessment, 이하 FSA) 연구의 1, 2 단계에 해당하는 위험요소 식별(Hazard identification) 및 식별된 사고 시나리오에 대한 위험도 분석(Risk analysis) 결과를 소개한 "국적일반화물선 초기안전성평가 연구(1)"에 이어 FSA 연구의 3, 4 그리고 5단계를 수행한 내용으로, 국적일반화물선의 운용 중 발생 가능한 위험을 저감할 수 있는 위험도제어방안들(Risk Control Options)을 식별하는 단계(Step 3)와 식별된 위험도제어방안들 중 전문가 의견수렴을 통하여 선별된 위험도제어방안들을 대상으로 한 비용-효과 평가 단계(Step 4: Cost-Benefit Assessment) 그리고 비용-효과 평가의 결과를 정리하여 국적일반화물선의 안전성 제고를 위한 구체적인 방안을 제안하는 단계(Step 5: Recommendation for Decision Making)의 결과를 소개하였다. This study was carried out in order to verity the usefulness of FSA(Formal Safety Assessment) methods as a tool to conduct a safety assessment of general cargo ships flying the Korean flag, and to provide useful information on 'the Safety of General Cargo Ships' for IMO committee's discussion on the matter at a future session. In the previous paper, "A Study on High-level FSA for Korean-flagged General Cargo Ships(1)", the concepts of the FSA methodology and its five steps were described and the results of Hazard Identification(Step 1) and Risk Analysis(Step 2) from the FSA study for the Korean-flagged general cargo ships were discussed. Subsequent to the Steps 1 & 2, the identification of Risk Control Options(RCOs-Step 3) for eliminating or reducing either the frequency or the severity of the risks identified and their Cost-Benefit Assessment(CBA-Step 4) were undertaken. In this paper, the results of the Steps 3 & 4 are discussed, and some recommendations are made.

Automatic Risk Control Based on FSA Methodology Adaptation for Safety Assessment in Intelligent Buildings

Automatic Risk Control Based on FSA Methodology Adaptation for Safety Assessment in Intelligent BuildingsThe main area which Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) methodology was created for is maritime safety. Its model presents quantitative risk estimation and takes detailed information about accident characteristics into account. Nowadays, it is broadly used in shipping navigation around the world. It has already been shown that FSA can be widely used for the assessment of pilotage safety. On the basis of analysis and conclusion on the FSA approach, this paper attempts to show that the adaptation of this method to another area—risk evaluating in operating conditions of buildings—is possible and effective. It aims at building a mathematical model based on fuzzy logic risk assessment with different habitat factors included. The adopted approach lets us describe various situations and conditions that occur in creating and exploiting of buildings, allowing for automatic control of the risk connected to them.

공식안전평가(Formal Safety Assessment)를 이용한 선박의 안전성 평가

Formal Safety Assessment(FSA) was introduced by the IMO as rational and systematic process for accessing the risk related to maritime safety and the protection of the marine environment and for evaluating the costs and benefit of IMO`s options for reducing these risks. FSA can be used as a tool or a rule making process to help develope new rules and regulations. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a general review of the FSA methodology and to propose ways to use it in rule making process of machinery parts.

Formal Safety Assessment: A Critical Review

Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) is the premier scientific method that is currently being used for the analysis of maritime safety and for the formulation of related regulatory policy. This paper conducts a critical review of the FSA methodology and proposes ways to improve it. All steps of the FSA approach are looked at, and possible pitfalls or other deficiencies are identified. Then proposals are made to alleviate such deficiencies, with a view to achieve a more transparent and objective approach. The results of this paper may be useful if a revision of the FSA guidelines is contemplated along these lines. Recent International Maritime Organizations (IMO) developments are also described.

Formal safety assessment of cruise ships

This paper examines the applicability of formal safety assessment to the cruise industry. Formal safety assessment and its development in the cruise shipping industry are described. Cruise ship accident statistics are studied and discussed. This is followed by an analysis of cruise ship characteristics and a proposed formal safety assessment methodology for cruise ships. A case study is carried out in order to demonstrate the proposed methodology. Further development in formal safety assessment in the context of cruise ship safety is finally discussed in detail.

Possibilities of application of FSA methodology to stability of ships

Recently IMO recommended application of the Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) methodology to the development of safety rules. The main purpose of the paper is to analyse the difficulties that arise with the application of FSA methodology to stability problems and eventually to propose ways to solve some of them. The first two steps in the FSA methodology are identification of hazards and assessment of risk. With regard to intact and damage stability problems hazards that may lead to loss of the ship should be identified. The hazards could be identified on the basis of the analysis of casualty data and of the experts opinions. For the purpose of assessment of probabilities involved various scenarios leading to ship capsizing or foundering have to be analysed. Statistical methods, model tests and mathematical simulation have to be used. Risk, which is the product of probability of the hazard and its consequences has also to be assessed and the main difficulty would be evaluation of consequences. In the paper methods of identification of hazards are discussed and various possibilities to assess the risk involved are considered.

A trial application of FSA methodology to the hatchway watertight integrity of bulk carriers

Formal safety assessment (FSA) is a formal, structured and systematic methodology, aimed at enhancing maritime safety, including protection of life, property and marine environment, by using risk and cost–benefit assessments. For the application of this methodology to the rule-making process, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) presented the Interim Guidelines, which describe procedures of FSA and inputs/outputs of each procedure in detail. This paper basically deals with an application of FSA methodology according to the IMO's Interim Guidelines to the hatchway watertight integrity of bulk carriers, which was carried out as a cooperative research between Korean Register of Shipping and Seoul National University. As results of this application study, 18 hazards are identified and 32 risk control measures are devised to reduce the associated risks. Potential risks, costs and benefits when some Risk Control Options are introduced are evaluated in monetary unit of US $. Finally, some discussions and recommendations based on experiences are also given for both future work and better application of this FSA methodology to the rule-making process.

Formal safety assessment of containerships

Following an introduction to containerships, formal safety assessment and its development in the shipping industry are described. Containership accident statistics are studied and discussed. This is followed by a description of containership characteristics and a proposed formal safety assessment methodology for containerships. Further development in formal safety assessment in the context of containership safety is finally discussed in detail.