SIMOPS Safety

Overview

SIMOPS Safety should be managed through a planned system of work: identify the task-specific hazards, eliminate exposure where practical, use engineered or collective controls before relying on PPE, verify critical safeguards before starting, and stop the task when controls are missing or conditions change. This guide applies those principles specifically to managing interacting hazards when multiple work groups or operations occur in the same area.

Main Hazards

• • One task changing the risk conditions of another task
• • Conflicting permits, isolations, routes or emergency arrangements
• • Uncontrolled changes, unclear responsibilities or missing communication
• • People entering hazards without adequate planning or verification
• • Delayed response to changing conditions, incidents or warning signs

Essential Controls

1. 1Map simultaneous activities, interfaces and shared energy/space before permits are released.
2. 2Use a single coordination process for schedule changes, isolations, lifting, hot work and emergency impacts.
3. 3Define responsibilities, critical controls and stop-work triggers before work begins.
4. 4Communicate the plan in a way workers can understand and verify understanding.
5. 5Use field verification, observations and supervision to confirm controls remain effective.
6. 6Learn from deviations, near misses and incidents and close corrective actions.

Related Guides