Reducing the risks

New guidance has been published on developing and delivering human factors assessments at sites covered by the Control of Major Accident Hazard (COMAH) Regulations. The comprehensive advice document provides a practical guide to how to carry out assessments, from planning through to acting on recommendations.

The detailed guidance is split into nine sections which can be read as standalone documents giving concise tips on each stage of the process. Although aimed at COMAH sites, the advice also applies to human factors assessment programmes in any high hazard industry.

Explaining why it was created, the authors said: “Human factors practitioners identified a lack of guidance and consistency in performance of human factors assessments. There is freely available guidance on what should be done, but less guidance on the practicalities of how to do it. This guidance focuses on how to carry out assessments, rather than what should be done. It contains practical tips and ideas to assist in carrying out a thorough assessment.”

The guidance document can be downloaded free of charge from our website, along with a list of recommended best practice resources. Find out more