Human factors: Staffing levels

Having the right numbers of the right people, in the right place at the right time.

Changes to staffing levels often occur as part of organisational change - this is often referred to as downsizing, delayering or multi-skilling. The following extract from the human factors toolkit and the further guidance below will help you to decide whether your staffing levels are suitable.

Extract from inspectors human factors toolkit - Organisational change and transition management

More information on staffing levels

• Organisational change and major accident hazards
  Published on the HSE website in July 2003 as an information sheet. Core guidance for COMAH sites.
• Assessing the safety of staffing arrangements for process operations in the chemical and allied industries [1MB].
  HSE Contract Research Report 348/2001. Essential guidance for assessing manning levels pre- and post-change.
  • Note: New Energy Institute guide to the methodology ('Safe Staffing Levels').
    Highly recommended for users of the method.