Thesis
Investigating risk perception and human performance in turnaround maintenance operations in the chemical process industries
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2023
- Thesis identifier
- T16590
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 201876526
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- Safety incidents have caused severe consequences, with human error hugely contributing to these incidents. These errors derive from fundamental limitations in human sensory, cognitive, and motor processes. One key human fallibility element contributing to human errors is risk perception, influenced by contextual factors. Several factors have been examined in different contexts but not turnaround maintenance (TAM) in the chemical process industry. This study closed the knowledge gap by investigating the relationship between TAM safety characteristics, risk perception and safety behaviour of TAM frontline workers and supervisors. The mixed method approach combined qualitative and quantitative research techniques comprising literature review, focus group, and three self-administered questionnaires. TAM safety characteristics' relative importance was determined using pairwise comparisons, and hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis. Among the TAM safety characteristics, safety climate was most important to safe TAM execution, while management safety commitment was most important among the safety climate dimensions. Perceived risk severity positively affected frontline workers' safety behaviour. Also, safety climate affected safety behaviour more than risk perception and work environment. Work environment affected risk perception more than safety climate. Thus, risk perception appeared to influence workers' engagement in preventive behaviours, while TAM safety characteristics influenced their risk perception and safety behaviour. A TAM triad of safety excellence for TAM safety management is proposed covering risk management, work environment and safety climate. Safety climate dimensions predicted safety behaviour, with supervisors' safety behaviour having the most effect. Upper management and supervisors' safety commitment enhanced the effect of the safety climate dimensions on safety behaviour. However, the moderation was referent-dependent, mostly associated with upper management, showing the safety roles at different management levels. Risk perception positively affected supervisors' safety involvement, especially at low-level upper management safety commitment. These results will help maximise human performance and minimise human error-related incidents prevalent during TAM.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Ventura-Medina, Esther
- Jorge, Miguel
- Resource Type
- Note
- This thesis was previously held under moratorium from 26th May 2023 to 26th May 2025.
- DOI
- Embargo Note
Relations
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File | 2023-06-05 | Embargo |