Application of SHERPA to Identify and Prevent Human Errors in Control Units of Petrochemical Industry

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Studying human errors as a risk factor in the occurrence of accidents is necessary. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify, predict and control human errors in industrial control units. METHOD: This is a case study carried out using SHERPA in the first unit of Zagros Methanol of Asalooyeh, Iran, and its subunits. To collect the required data, various methods were used: observing, interviewing processing specialists and control unit operators, and studying technical documents and records. RESULTS: In total, 222 human errors were identified in various occupational tasks. This study showed that 48.62% of them were action errors, 31.97% were checking errors, 6.75% were retrieval errors, 11.70% were communication errors and 0.90% were selection errors. CONCLUSION: It can be inferred that this method is appropriate for different industries, and it is useful for identifying human errors leading to hazardous accidents.

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