Why is good procedure design important?
Procedures, including method statements, work instructions, permits to work etc, are agreed safe ways of doing things. They usually consist of instructions and related information needed to help carry out tasks safely. Procedures may include step-by-step instructions, checklists, decision aids, diagrams, flow-charts and other types of job aids.
Problems with procedures are linked to numerous incidents and frequently cited as one of the causes of major accidents. The inadequate management of procedures have not only contributed to disasters such as Bhopal, Piper Alpha and Clapham Junction, but also to fatalities, personal injuries and ill health. The main causes are too much reliance placed on procedures to control risk, a failure to follow safe working procedures or the use of inadequate procedures.
Operating procedures may not be the best way of controlling hazards, at least not as the sole defence against human error.
Key principles in procedure design
- Risk assessment should clearly establish if procedures are an appropriate control measure. The results of the risk assessment should inform development of the procedure.
- Consider the links between procedures and competency – they are two sides of the same coin and should support each other eg on-the-job competency would include training on key procedures. Procedures do not replace competency.
- Have a system for managing procedures – outlining eg how to decide which tasks need procedures, how these are developed, complied with and reviewed/updated. Use task analysis methods to inform the content of procedures eg walking and talking through the task with users.
- Use a format, style and level of detail appropriate to the user, task and consequences of failure. Fit for purpose - one size does not fit all. Support compliance with procedures through user involvement and by designing the task, job, environment, equipment, etc.
More information on procedures
- Extract from inspectors human factors toolkit - Reliability and usability of procedures
Useful for checking your own use of procedures. - Reducing error and influencing behaviour (pp.26-31)
These pages contain useful information on layout, formatting and style of procedures. They also discuss safety warnings. - Information sheet on revitalising procedures
Provides guidance for employers on how to develop procedures that are appropriate, fit-for-purpose, accurate, 'owned' by the workforce and, most of all, useful. - Procedures audit tool
Style, layout and language are important elements of usability. This tool summarises recognised good practice and can be used by employers to actively review and audit these aspects of their own procedures (as part of a wider framework for developing and managing procedures). - Improving compliance with safety procedures: reducing industrial violations
This guidance outlines practical strategies for reducing the potential for industrial violations. It shows managers how to identify violations by selecting rule sets that have the greatest risk for safety if they are not followed. Management can develop detailed action plans to suit their specific problems on the basis of suggestions offered in the report. - Inspection Guide: Instructions to Persons on Site
This guidance provides a framework to guide inspection activities carried out by HM Nuclear Inspectors. - Nuclear Directorate - Technical Inspection Guide: Operating Instructions
This guidance provides a framework to guide inspection activities carried out by HM Nuclear Inspectors.