Functional Resonance Analysis Method and Human Performance Factors Identifying Critical Functions in Chemical Process Safety

This study compared the results of the application of two different methodological frameworks to identify the critical functions in a chemical industry that affect process safety. The Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) and Performance Shaping Factors (PSF), the latter involving operators’ active participation, were applied on the same socio-technical process. Three phenotype responses were integrated, based on FRAM, namely timing, precision, and duration. The ergonomics approach was used to identify process functions by observing the operator workday to FRAM. A methodological framework based on human factors had selected the critical key PSF, used as an indicator, to identify the critical activities in the process, by operator’s perceptions. This study demonstrated that some result variability couplings can be different in some aspects in the automated and batch process. The integration of duration phenotypes with integration time and precision can modify the results of variability in the batch process. Human being management adapts and mitigates the risk. Operator competence and knowledge can eliminate function and task time by modifying the work sequence of the process. Comparison of analytical results demonstrated the compatibility of the two analyses.