Human Factors in the Chemical and Process Industries

Chapter 21

Safety critical communication

J. Mitchell

Abstract

This chapter describes the range of safety critical communications that occur in high hazard industries, what can go wrong and how to reduce the likelihood of communication error. Safety critical communication can occur in any part of the operating cycle from normal operation to emergency response. The high likelihood of errors and misunderstandings during these communications is illustrated using a person-to-person communication model, and the potential consequences of these errors are highlighted using industry examples. The key learnings from incidents involving a breakdown in safety critical communications are extrapolated and discussed. A number of communication methods and techniques ...