Operational Practices Research Articles

Troops Preparation Policy On A World Peace Mission

Indonesia’s involvement in peacekeeping missions has long been a key part of its foreign policy, contributing to world peace as outlined in Republic of Indonesia Law Number 37 of 1999 concerning Foreign Relations. This study aims to analyze the government's policy implementation regarding troop preparation for world peace missions, particularly in relation to Indonesia's role as a Troops Contributing Country (TCC) to the United Nations (UN). The research utilizes a qualitative descriptive approach to understand the intricacies of the troop preparation process through George Edward III's policy implementation model, which emphasizes the importance of disposition, communication, resources, and bureaucracy. Data were collected through document analysis, interviews, and observation of relevant practices in Indonesian military operations. The findings highlight that the personnel selection process for peacekeeping missions is highly structured, requiring compliance with rigorous standards set by both the Indonesian government and the UN. The pre-deployment training, supervised by the TNI (Indonesian National Army) Headquarters, ensures that selected personnel are adequately prepared for their assignments. This comprehensive preparation includes mental and physical readiness, as well as the necessary technical and language skills. The results also emphasize the importance of strong inter-agency coordination, particularly between the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to ensure the success of these missions. Furthermore, the study reveals that budgetary and resource constraints remain significant challenges in sustaining peacekeeping operations. In conclusion, Indonesia's contribution to global peacekeeping missions underscores the nation's commitment

Развитие модели динамики снежного покрова Гидрометцентра России

Conceptual models of runoff formation used in the operational practice of hydrological forecasting by the Hydrometeorological Center of Russia include simplified parameterization of snow cover dynamics based on the use of snow cover melting coefficient, water-retaining capacity of snow and secondary freezing of meltwater in case of return of negative air temperatures. This schematization of the process is well established for the reliable calculation of the snow water equivalent for subsequent use in the calculation of meltwater inflow to the catchment surface and the calculation of streamflow characteristics. At the same time, the lack of calculation of snow density and snow height in the used schematization restricts the use of schemes for calculating of soil freezing depth in hydrological models, which seems to be extremely important for modelling runoff on mid-latitudes rivers, i.e. for the most Russian rivers. To overcome this disadvantage, the snow density and snow height parameterization was added to the calculation scheme of the model, which was verified using Roshydromet’s snow measurement routes data and shown a good and satisfactory quality of modeling of model characteristics.

Quantitative assessment of cracks in concrete structures using active-learning-integrated transformer and unmanned robotic platform

Quantitative assessment of cracks in concrete bridges is crucial for structural health monitoring and digital twin. However, the training of crack segmentation models relies heavily on annotation resources, and their segmentation capabilities are often unsatisfactory in terms of the accuracy of boundary location of thin cracks encountered in practice. In this paper, an active-learning-integrated crack segmentation transformer (ACS-Former) framework is proposed to maximize segmentation performance with limited annotation resources. The two-branch ACS-Former includes (1) a feature pyramid transformer (FPT) for multi-scale crack segmentation and (2) boundary difficulty-aware active learning (BDAL) to select informative images for labeling and incorporation into FPT training. Additionally, an adhesive climbing robot is proposed for image collection of hard-to-access components of large bridges. The on-site operational feasibility and practicability of the proposed ACS-Former and climbing robot are demonstrated by field experiments performed on in-service bridges, including the quantification of cracks narrower than 0.2 mm, as required by engineering codes.

Residential wood heat in the US: Results of a survey investigating user behavior and operation of wood heating appliances

Wood is used as a source of primary and secondary heat by millions of people in the US, but many wood stoves emit levels of particulate matter that negatively impact human health and the environment. Modern wood stoves are designed to pass emissions testing required by regulatory bodies and manufacturers may be hindered in their ability to design for the variability of real-world use. User behavior can strongly impact wood heater emissions, and learning about how they are used in real life could inform the future design of cleaner-burning wood heaters. In this study a survey was performed to investigate the habits, needs, and challenges surrounding residential wood heating in the US. Common user characteristics and behaviors are investigated in categories covering heating technology, fuel use and preference, user behavior, and operation. The data collected from 210 completed survey responses can be used to support and refute anecdotal understandings of wood stove use. Results from this study cover wood heater ages and the presence or lack of catalysts. Fuel provenance, type, seasoning, and storage practices are discussed, along with the ways that respondents learned how to use their stoves and their operational practices including reloading, cold start behavior, and use of air controls. The information presented in this paper can be used to inform industry and regulatory groups as to how people use their wood heaters and highlights areas for potential future research.

Adaptive Strategies and Sustainable Innovations of Chinese Contractors in the Belt and Road Initiative: A Social Network and Supply Chain Integration Perspective

As global economic integration and rapid technological advancements transform international business, international engineering contracting has become essential for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). This paper investigates the significant impact of China’s strategic initiatives, notably the “Going Global” strategy and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), on the operational practices of Chinese enterprises involved in overseas investments. Central to this transformation is the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model, which emphasizes the integration of supply chain management and stakeholder collaboration to enhance performance in international EPC projects and underscores the crucial role of these elements in promoting sustainability. Incorporating insights from social network data analysis, this study reveals that contractors collaborating with various stakeholders—such as owners/consulting engineers, domestic and foreign customs departments, and group headquarters/design parties—exhibit a high degree of similarity in personnel profiles. This suggests that the internal organizational structure and personnel allocation of contractors could be optimized to enhance operational efficiency, aligning with the collaborative patterns identified. This study addresses a critical research gap by exploring how effective supply chain management and collaborative stakeholder engagement within multinational EPC projects contribute to sustainable outcomes. Employing advanced social network analysis software, the research examines the complex interactions among stakeholders and their influence on procurement dynamics. Findings indicate that strong relational networks and strategic collaborations significantly enhance procurement efficiency and project success, underscoring the importance of supply chain integration. Ultimately, integrating supply chain management principles into the EPC model not only offers innovative perspectives for advancing sustainability in international projects but also provides actionable insights for improving project outcomes within the BRI framework. This research underscores the pivotal role of supply chain organization and stakeholder cooperation in achieving sustainability objectives, thereby enriching the discourse on sustainable enterprise operation and supply chain management in the context of global initiatives.

The Comparison of Intravesical Therapy and Surgery as Treatment Options for Bladder Cancer (CISTO) study: Lessons learned about management and patient enrollment in a large, pragmatic, patient-centered trial.

The growth of patient and public involvement in clinical research highlights the paucity of literature on operational practices that ensure the success of large, patient-centered outcomes trials. The authors' objective was to identify tools launched by the Comparison of Intravesical Therapy and Surgery as Treatment Options for Bladder Cancer (CISTO) study team to determine their effectiveness in maximizing patient enrollment in this observational, pragmatic trial. The primary outcomes for this study were patient screening and enrollment across 36 CISTO study sites. The operational strategies included CISTOquestion email correspondence and All Sites Meetings, specifically poll performance data from meetings, and a nonanonymized feedback survey about the CISTO study's management practices. Effectiveness was measured using correlation analysis with patient cohort data, including screenings, enrollments, post-hoc exclusions, and the post-hoc exclusion rate. Average screenings and enrollment rose after the implementation of CISTOquestion in April 2021, with the average number of screenings rising from 7.42 to 26.8 patients per month and enrollment rising from 3.76 to 16 patients per month. Use of CISTOquestion was correlated strongly with increased patient screenings and enrollment across all study sites. Eighty-three percent of sites with above-average post-hoc exclusion rates (≥0.092) sent below the average number of CISTOquestion inquiries. Poll performance and survey data revealed that all survey respondents who used CISTOquestion found that it was a valuable and accessible resource. Of the several operational tools implemented within the CISTO study that aimed to improve patient enrollment, CISTOquestion, a centralized email for addressing eligibility questions, was most beneficial to overall patient accrual.

Modeling and Optimization of the Inland Container Transportation Problem Considering Multi-Size Containers, Fuel Consumption, and Carbon Emissions

This paper investigates the inland container transportation problem with a focus on multi-size containers, fuel consumption, and carbon emissions. To reflect a more realistic situation, the depot’s initial inventory of empty containers is also taken into consideration. To linearly model the constraints imposed by the multiple container sizes and the limited number of empty containers, a novel graphical representation is presented for the problem. Based on the graphical representation, a mixed-integer programming model is presented to minimize the total transportation cost, which includes fixed, fuel, and carbon emission costs. To efficiently solve the model, a tailored branch-and-price algorithm is designed, which is enhanced by improvement schemes including a heuristic label-setting algorithm, decremental state-space relaxation, and the introduction of a high-quality upper bound. Results from a series of computational experiments on randomly generated instances demonstrate that (1) the proposed branch-and-price algorithm demonstrates a superior performance compared to the tabu search algorithm and the genetic algorithm; (2) each additional empty container in the depot reduces the total transportation cost by less than 1%, with a diminishing marginal effect; (3) the rational configuration of different types of trucks improves scheduling flexibility and reduces fuel and carbon emission costs as well as the overall transportation cost; and (4) extending customer time windows also contributes to lower the total transportation cost. These findings not only deepen the theoretical understanding of inland container transportation optimization but also provide valuable insights for logistics companies and policymakers to improve efficiency and implement more sustainable operational practices. Additionally, our research paves the way for future investigations into the integration of dynamic factors and emerging technologies in this field.

Using of secret cooperation in combating corruption crimes: problematic issues of court practice

It is indicated that, during the investigation of corruption crimes, there is usually a need to conduct covert investigative (investigative) actions in view of the specifics of corruption criminal offenses, a significant level of their latency, committed in the context of a conspiracy, as well as the status of the subjects of these crimes, who in certain cases are aware with the methods of work of law enforcement agencies. The article examines the problematic issues of judicial practice of using secret cooperation in criminal proceedings regarding corruption crimes. It has been established that law enforcement officials, when engaging in confidential cooperation in criminal proceedings regarding corruption crimes, face difficulties related to: 1) risks of disclosing information about persons who carry out tacit cooperation; 2) risks of provocation to commit a corruption crime; 3) procedural registration of a person’s consent to be involved in tacit cooperation in conducting NSRD and the decision of the authorized body. These problematic issues are solved in different ways in operational, investigative and judicial practice and indicate that there are still challenges in combating corruption crimes that require the efforts of both law enforcement agencies and scientists aimed at solving them. It is extremely important to prevent the provocation of a criminal offense by a person involved in confidential cooperation when countering corruption crimes using the institution of tacit cooperation. Despite the fact that there are grounds for not recognizing the obligation of a person’s written consent to involve him in confidential cooperation and conducting NSRD in criminal proceedings regarding corruption crimes, the presence of such consent can still serve as a certain argument in favor of the absence of provocation on the part of the person involved in confidential cooperation and recognition of evidence as admissible.

Management of radio-frequency interferences for space traffic management: Current regulations, operations practice, technology mitigation solutions and future trends

Radio-Frequency Interference (RFI) has a large impact on the business of commercial satellites communications and will have an increasingly important role in the next years and decades due to the spread of the launched spacecraft population.This paper presents the current state-of-the-art for Space Traffic Management -related RFI from a regulatory point of view, with regards to preventing and correcting harmful interference, linked to the International Telecommunication Union, and from a technical point of view, with technical procedures, workflows and innovative technology solutions for preventing and mitigating RFI. Finally, emerging technology trends and future directions are presented.

Relationship Between Operational Factors and Cost Efficiency in Defined Contributions Pension Schemes

Pension schemes in Kenya provide income for individuals who attain the retirement age and consequently boost economic growth as well as accelerate domestic savings. The industry is regulated by the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA). The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between operational practices on cost efficiency in defined contributions pension schemes in Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine the relationship between service provider costs on cost efficiency in defined contributions pension schemes, to examine the relationship between fund size on cost efficiency in defined contributions pension schemes, to determine the relationship between portfolios mix on cost efficiency in defined contributions pension schemes and to examine the relationship between investment strategy on cost efficiency in defined contributions pension schemes. The study will be significant to the management of defined contributions pension schemes in Kenya and other researchers. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population was all the 1,262 pension schemes in Kenya. Stratified random sampling was employed to select small schemes, medium schemes, large schemes and mega pension schemes in Kenya and obtained a total of 304 sample population. The study used secondary data. Descriptive statistics was performed by getting frequencies, means, and standard deviation for the purpose of understanding the results, which was displayed in tables, charts, and graphs. A multiple regression model was fitted to the data and the results revealed that there was a relationship between cost efficiency and service provision expenses, portfolio mix, fund size and investment strategies. Service provision expenses for a pension scheme should be able to cover the cost of administration without unduly compromising the growth of pension savings. Further, while a substantial fund size offered advantages, it should be complemented by strategic acumen and diligent oversight to ensure the scheme delivers on its mandate. A balanced and diversified portfolio is considered a cornerstone providing a buffer against market volatility and therefore enhancing the prospects of sustainable goals and cost efficiency. Finally, the cost associated with portfolio mix and risk management was a necessary investment in securing the long-term sustainability and stability of the pension fund. Recommendation for further studies on cost efficiency of defined benefits schemes should be done as well as further studies on challenges facing pension schemes in Kenya

Supply chain strategies in a global context: a customer value-based perspective

ABSTRACT Customer value is influenced by several factors, which impose major challenges to global Supply Chains (SCs) and their management. This study aims to understand how companies tackle these challenges by focusing their global SC management on major strategies and supporting practices. Based on customer value theory, and recognising major trends affecting what end consumers value, we identify four global SC strategies: customer-driven, service-driven, resource-efficient, and closed-loop. A multiple case study carried out in eleven companies in the consumer goods industry explores the practices adopted per each SC strategy in managing global sourcing, production, and distribution networks. Results show the key requirement of selecting tailored practices for SC management that align with the context and the value expected by customers. Operational SC practices entail managing collaborative actions both up and downstream and competing with other SCs and can benefit from the implementation of appropriate digital technologies for customer value creation and delivery, as well as for continuous learning about customer needs.

ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVES ON SAFETY CULTURE IN CHEMICAL AND PETROCHEMICAL PLANTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

This systematic review examines the influence of engineering management practices on cultivating and sustaining a strong safety culture in chemical and petrochemical plants. Given the high-risk nature of these industries, establishing a robust safety culture is essential for mitigating operational hazards, reducing risks, and preventing accidents that can have serious human and environmental impacts. The review synthesizes findings from 135 peer-reviewed studies, focusing on key elements such as leadership commitment, employee engagement, regulatory compliance, safety management systems, and the integration of advanced technologies like automation and artificial intelligence (AI). The results highlight that safety performance in these industries is closely linked to management's active involvement in promoting safety practices, clear communication strategies, and the continuous assessment and improvement of safety protocols. Engineering managers play a critical role in driving safety initiatives and fostering an organizational culture where safety is a shared responsibility. The review also underscores the importance of regulatory compliance as a foundation for safety, while emphasizing that the most successful organizations go beyond compliance to embed safety deeply into their operational practices. Technological advancements, particularly in automation and real-time monitoring, were found to significantly enhance safety outcomes by enabling proactive risk identification and mitigation. Overall, this review offers valuable insights and practical guidelines for engineering managers aiming to strengthen safety protocols, reduce risks, and enhance safety performance in high-hazard industrial environments.

Practice and Exploration of Ground Engineering for Pilot Testing of Offshore Gas Storage Facilities

Abstract The N gas storage facility is an offshore gas storage facility for oil reservoir reconstruction. There is no successful experience to learn from in the construction and operation of surface engineering. Therefore, a pilot experiment centered on economic benefits and fully utilizing the existing facilities in the oilfield has been carried out. Unlike traditional underground gas storage facilities, the construction difficulties of offshore gas storage facilities are more prominent. By strengthening design management, procurement management, construction management, testing management, and HSE management, the construction of gas storage facilities is efficiently promoted and successfully put into operation, achieving the experimental goal. In the construction and operation practice, facing many difficulties such as the evaluation and governance of old systems, inconvenient maritime transportation, long procurement cycle of compressors, and unsuitable production and operation, we have explored management methods such as utilizing old and leasing compressors, reasonable coordination of sea transportation, and adjustment of production parameters. We have innovated technologies such as soaking cleaning+steel wire ball unblocking and cleaning, small pipe capacity short distance series injection, and rapid construction of gas lift liquid discharge warehouses, Provide reference significance for the construction of similar gas storage facilities.

Blueprint for Building and Sustaining a Cardiogenic Shock Program: Qualitative Survey of 12 US Programs

BackgroundMultidisciplinary cardiogenic shock (CS) programs have been associated with improved outcomes, yet practical guidance for developing a CS program is lacking. MethodsA survey on CS program development and operational best practices was administered to 12 institutions in diverse sociogeographic regions and practice settings. Common steps in program development were identified. ResultsKey steps for program development were identified: measuring baseline outcomes; identifying subspecialty champions; gaining leadership and team buy-in; developing institution-specific CS protocols; educating staff and referring providers; consulting with external experts; and developing quality assessment and process improvement. ConclusionsAn assessment of 12 US CS programs highlights a blueprint for establishing and maintaining a successful, multidisciplinary shock program.

Is There an Association Between Emergency Department Overcrowding and Emergency Medical Services Redirection?

BackgroundEmergency Medical Systems (EMS) has developed policies to manage patient flow. In New York City, these practices include both Diversion and Redirection. Currently, gaps in the literature exist regarding the correlation between emergency department (ED) operational metrics and EMS redirection triggers. ObjectivesThis study analyzes the relationship between ED operational metrics and EMS redirection practices. MethodsThis single-center retrospective cohort analysis analyzed EMS patient transports from April 2021 to May 2022. Data on EMS redirection was obtained from FDNY notifications, and ED operational metrics were collected from the hospital's data repository. Metrics included ED length of stay, admission rates, and times from door-to-triage and door-to-room. ResultsDuring the study, 93,783 patient visits were recorded, with 22,734 (24%) transported by EMS. Redirection was activated on 250 days, predominantly on Mondays. A slight association was found between overall ED volume and redirection occurrences (OR 1.02), but no significant correlations were identified with other specific ED operational metrics. ConclusionsOur findings indicate no substantial correlation between these practices and ED operational metrics. These results suggest a need for a paradigm shift toward more objective, data-driven measures to inform EMS redirection, ensuring decisions are grounded in the ED's actual operational capacity.

Evaluating the Use of Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UASs) for Planetary Exploration in Mars Analog Terrain

Planetary analog mission simulations are essential for testing science operations strategies and technologies. They also teach us how to use terrestrial analogs to inform studies of extraterrestrial environments. Unoccupied aircraft systems (UASs) have great potential for planetary surface exploration as demonstrated by the Mars 2020 Ingenuity helicopter and the in-development Dragonfly mission to Saturn’s moon Titan. Although applications of UAS technology for planetary exploration remain largely unexplored, simulated missions in planetary analog terrains can inform operational best practices. As part of the Rover–Aerial Vehicle Exploration Network project, we simulated a 12 sol UAS mission on Mars in the Holuhraun region of Iceland. The UAS had airborne imaging capability, as well as imaging, sampling, and geochemical analysis capabilities while landed. The mission evaluated the use of these instruments and developed operational strategies for using UASs to explore a planetary surface. Oblique airborne images were essential for mission planning and were used to scout large areas to identify both potential landing sites and targets for focused investigations. The airborne and landed data collected by the UAS allowed for detailed observations and interpretations not possible with analog orbital data sets, resulting in an improved scientific return for the simulated UAS mission compared to a premission analysis of only the analog orbital data. As a planetary exploration vehicle, a UAS is most advantageous for exploring large areas (many square kilometers) and is particularly useful when the terrain may be impassable to ground-based traverses (e.g., by rovers or humans).

A low-impact nature-based solution for reducing aquatic microplastics from freshwater ecosystems

Effective nature-based solutions (NBS) and strategies for freshwater microplastic (MP) pollution are beneficial for reducing ecological and human health risks. This study proposed an innovative NBS for the in-situ retention of aquatic MPs. By evaluating the tolerance and MP retention efficiency of different submerged macrophytes, Myriophyllum aquaticum was identified as a well-suited system for optimization as NBS for operational MP retainment practice. The response surface method and artificial neural network modeling were applied to determine the optimal operational strategy of this solution, which was determined to be at a flow rate of 60 L/h, aeration intensity of 5 m3/(m2·h), and plant density of 190 plants/m2. Under this strategy, an average MP retention of 93.38% was achieved for the actual tested lake. The retention of MPs was particularly effective for particle sizes larger than 100 μm (especially films and fragments) and for the 4 polymer types. At the same time, also total nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the treated waters were reduced by 80.0% and 78.4% respectively, reflecting the added environmental value for water purification. This NBS provides a feasible strategy for mitigating MP pollution, but further research is needed on its long-term applicability and potential ecological effects in a wider range of specific environments, and effective development of plant harvesting cycle strategies is also essential to achieve long-lasting MP pollution removal.

Empirical risk minimization for big data driven prescriptive analytics: An exploration of two-stage stochastic programs with recourse

In the operations research literature, data driven analyses using big data are receiving more and more interest and attention. However, big data driven operational analyses are still limited in scope, with only unconstrained big data driven problems, e.g. the newsvendor problem, being comprehensively explored. If big data driven analyses are to become a core part of operations research and practice, one must be able to formulate and solve constrained big data driven models. We therefore propose a direct empirical risk minimization (DERM) method for formulating and solving a class of constrained big data driven operation research problems. In big data driven problems, relevant operational prescriptions are dependent on a set of observed features. In this paper, we assume linear feature relationships, which enable us to fundamentally base the DERM method on linear stochastic programming. The assumption of linear feature relationships is also seen in the literature on big data driven newsvendor models. We prove that if a big data driven solution exists, the DERM method will always, for the class of constrained problems we study, arrive at a feasible solution of the initial operational problem. Moreover, we exemplify the DERM method by formulating and solving two specific big data driven operational problems. In the numerical study of the two operational problems, we show, that under linear demand, the DERM method outperforms, with regard to cost, two benchmark methods and a big data driven method from literature.

Mineralogical Impact on the Compaction of Residual Gabbro Soils in the Construction of Platinum Tailings Storage Facilities

AbstractOver the past decade, there have been 45 tailings storage facility (TSF) disasters worldwide resulting in fatalities, serious environmental damage, and the destruction of entire ecosystems. These failures often stem from substandard design or operational practices. Many TSFs are constructed in regions associated with intrusive mafic rocks such as gabbro, norite, pyroxenite, and anorthosite, which are commonly found alongside platinum group metals in areas like the Bushveld Igneous Complex in South Africa and the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe. The stability of these structures can be significantly influenced by the residual soils present at the construction sites. Residual soils, both cohesive and non-cohesive, contain varying quantities of different minerals, which can impact the compaction characteristics and, consequently, the stability of the TSF foundations. Cohesive soils rich in clay minerals, such as kaolinite and smectite, exhibit properties that can hinder effective soil compaction. The expansive nature of smectite due to its ability to absorb large amounts of water and host free exchangeable cations counteracts the compaction process, reducing soil stability. Soil compaction is a complex process influenced by several factors, including compaction effort, method, water content, particle size distribution, and mineralogy. This study aimed to analyse these factors using a series of laboratory tests, including foundation indicators, MOD AASHTO compaction testing, and X-ray diffraction analysis, on residual soils from two TSF construction sites. The findings revealed that soils with high clay content tend to retain more water and have a higher optimum water content, adversely affecting their compaction properties. This study highlights the critical need to consider the mineralogical composition and weathering effects of residual soils in the design and construction of TSFs. By improving our understanding of these factors, we can enhance the stability of TSF foundations, reducing the likelihood of future failures. The insights gained from this research highlight the importance of thorough geotechnical assessments in the successful design and maintenance of TSFs.

Balancing plant safety and efficiency through innovative engineering practices in oil and gas operations

In the oil and gas industry, balancing plant safety with operational efficiency is a critical challenge that requires innovative engineering practices. This paper explores how advanced engineering techniques can enhance both safety and efficiency in oil and gas operations. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and methodologies, companies can achieve a harmonious balance between protecting personnel, equipment, and the environment, while also optimizing productivity and resource utilization. Key innovative engineering practices discussed include the implementation of real-time monitoring systems and predictive analytics to enhance safety and operational efficiency. Real-time monitoring, powered by Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, allows for continuous tracking of plant conditions, detecting anomalies before they escalate into significant issues. Predictive analytics, utilizing machine learning algorithms, further aids in forecasting potential failures and scheduling maintenance proactively, thereby minimizing downtime and operational disruptions. The paper also examines the role of risk-based approaches and safety management systems in improving plant safety. Techniques such as quantitative risk assessment (QRA) and safety integrity level (SIL) analysis are pivotal in identifying potential hazards and designing mitigation strategies. These practices ensure that safety measures are proportionate to the actual risk, avoiding over-engineering while addressing critical safety concerns. Moreover, the integration of automation and digital twin technology is discussed as a means to enhance both safety and efficiency. Automation reduces human error and improves precision in operations, while digital twins provide a virtual replica of physical assets, enabling simulation and optimization of plant operations in a risk-free environment. Case studies illustrate successful implementations of these practices, highlighting their impact on reducing incidents and improving operational performance. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for ongoing innovation and collaboration between engineers, safety experts, and operational managers to continuously advance safety standards and operational efficiency in oil and gas operations.