Developing CRM for the oil and gas industry: A human factors approach

This research was carried out to identify specific human factors patterns in accident causation within the energy industry. Using the offshore oil and gas industry as an example, three studies were carried out examining human factors issues in safety management and possible lessons that could be learned from the aviation industry in team training. The first study analyzed a subset of data from an international energy company (n = 276) which showed a significant human factors involvement in accident causation and demonstrated that current remedial actions require improvement. Then data from two other studies were re-examined, the second study (n = 1268) showed that the underlying causes of accidents in the energy industry were similar to those in aviation. The third study (n = 722) examined specific issues identified as human factors causes in accidents, namely communication, work behavior and work pressure. This study also briefly examines the role of group dynamics in industrial situations. The results of all three studies provide evidence that team training based on CRM-type methods may improve safety in the energy and other high reliability industries.