"Simultaneous operations is not a checkbox. Just by the nature of the term, simultaneous operations mean more than one operation, and that means calling out exactly what's happening."
This week, Dr. Martin and James Junkin break down why SimOps coordination failures keep killing workers, using recent H2S incidents and the Chemical Safety Board's investigation into the fatal release at Pemex Deer Park Refinery.
They discuss the Swiss cheese model in action: permits that tried to do too much, high-consequence work buried in documentation, and life-saving information that never reached the workers who needed it. From Michigan well cleanings to Colorado dairy farms to construction sites, when SimOps becomes a checkbox and permits create an illusion of sameness, workers die.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
⚠️ Illusion of sameness buries high-consequence work. When briefings become routine, critical information never reaches the workers who need it.
⚠️ Drift compounds when multiple teams work side by side. Individual drift is dangerous. Collective drift across contractors creates collisions. Communication must account for what's happening in adjacent work areas, not just your own task.
⚠️ Work as imagined rarely matches work as performed. Audits should verify whether procedures reflect reality. When the JHA doesn't match the field, stop and communicate what changed, what the hazards are, and how to respond.
RESOURCES:
James's LinkedIn Article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lessons-sour-wind-what-deer-park-hs-release-still-has-james-wiace/
Veriforce H2S Clear for Energy: https://veriforce.com/course/h2s-clear-for-energy
Chemical Safety Board Press Release: https://www.csb.gov/us-chemical-safety-board-releases-investigation-report-on-fatal-hydrogen-sulfide-release-at-the-pemex-deer-park-refinery-in-texas/
Chemical Safety Board Investigation Report: https://www.csb.gov/assets/1/6/pemex_investigation_report_final.pdf
ABOUT THE RISK MATRIX PODCAST
Buckle up, safety pros! The Risk Matrix brings you a weekly podcast masterclass in risk management, hosted by two industry titans:
Dr. L.F. Martin: 32-year veteran, Board of Global EHS Credentialing Impact Award winner
James Junkin: Trainer of 40,000+ safety pros, ASSP's 2024 Safety Professional of the Year
They're tackling the topics that keep safety managers up at night featuring guests from regulatory bodies to safety directors and everything in between.
