Human factors of fire and explosion accidents in petrochemical enterprises

Abstract

Human factor is one of main causes of fire and explosion accidents in petrochemical enterprises. In order to minimize the accident frequency and associated damage, a better understanding of the role played by human factor in such accident is prerequisite. In the present study, 212 accidents are collected and analyzed. The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System-Petrochemical Enterprise Fire and Explosion (HFACS-PEFE) is established to examine the mechanism of human failure. The model indicates violations, intellectual limitations, inadequate supervision, and insufficient safety culture are the most important factors in causing fire and explosion accidents. Relationships between different human factors, which are involved in the HFACS-PEFE framework, are identified by conducting chisquare test and odds ratio (OR) analysis. Five accident development routes and corresponding probabilities are achieved. The route comprised of insufficient safety culture ! inadequate supervision ! intellectual limitations ! violations is the easiest way to result in fire and explosion accidents. To avoid the occurrence of such accidents, direct and indirect measures are proposed to improve human performance.

Classification of Human Failure in Chemical Plants: Case Study of Various Types of Chemical Accidents in South Korea from 2010 to 2017

“…Chen et al (2019) investigated human failure mechanisms and derived a model through the analysis of 212 chemical accidents in China. The model confirmed that human errors, such as violations, intellectual limitations, inadequate supervision, and poor safety cultures, were the most essential factors responsible for fire and explosion accidents [ 29 ]. Similarly, Zhang et al (2019) also analyzed that defects in process facilities, which have resulted in accidents and deaths in Chinese oil industries in the past decade, were due to human factors [ 30 ].…”

Significance ranking and correlation identification of accident causes in process industry based on system thinking and statistical analysis

“…The second is “human information processing accident models,” focusing on the factors that influence human behavior and examining how people create hazards and control these hazards to prevent harmful outcomes. In order to study the influence of human factors on accidents, an investigation of 212 accidents in petrochemical enterprises was carried out by Chen et al, 7 developing a human factor analysis and classification system for fires and explosions (HFACSPEFE). With the update of the sociotechnical approach, the third is the “systemic accident model,” which is a multilevel system for accident analysis including the organization, the workplace, and the person.…”

Integration of Safety Knowledge into Three-Dimensional Model Design and Construction Plan from the Perspective of Project Executors in Petrochemical Industry

“…To examine the mechanism of human damage, Chen et al [12] analyzed the human factors and classified the fires and explosions in petrochemical industry, and identified violations, knowledge limitations, insufficient supervision, and weak safety culture as the key causes of fire and explosion accidents; although the accidents in the petrochemical industry in developing countries are mostly the result of mechanical failure, managers must pay attention to human error and external incidents, that is, company management must try to reduce potential accident and failure disaster.…”