SMAIAH M, BAHMED L.
Proposal For an environmental risk management approach applied in Algerian ports: the case of Bethioua port (Algeria). International Journal of Environmental Engineering [Internet]. 2016;8 (2-3) :213-224.
Publisher's VersionAbstract
Background
Noncompliance of operators with work procedures is a recurrent problem. This human behavior has been said to be situational and studied by many different approaches (ergonomic and others), which consider the noncompliance with work procedures to be obvious and seek to analyze its causes as well as consequences.
Methods
The object of the proposed method is to solve this problem by focusing on the performance of work procedures and ensuring improved performance on a continuous basis.
Results
This study has multiple results: (1) assessment of the work procedures' performance by a multicriteria approach; (2) the use of a continuous improvement approach as a framework for the sustainability of the assessment method of work procedures' performance; and (3) adaptation of the Stop-Card as a facilitator support for continuous improvement of work procedures.
Conclusion
The proposed method emphasizes to put in value the inputs of continuous improvement of the work procedures in relation with the conventional approaches which adopt the obvious evidence of the noncompliance to the working procedures and seek to analyze the cause–effect relationships related to this unacceptable phenomenon, especially in strategic industry.
LAIDOUNE A, RAHALGHARBI M-H.
Analysis Testing of Sociocultural Factors Influence on Human Reliability within Sociotechnical Systems: The Algerian Oil Companies. Safety and Health at Work [Internet]. 2016;7 (3) :194-200.
Publisher's VersionAbstract
Background
The influence of sociocultural factors on human reliability within an open sociotechnical systems is highlighted. The design of such systems is enhanced by experience feedback.
Methods
The study was focused on a survey related to the observation of working cases, and by processing of incident/accident statistics and semistructured interviews in the qualitative part. In order to consolidate the study approach, we considered a schedule for the purpose of standard statistical measurements. We tried to be unbiased by supporting an exhaustive list of all worker categories including age, sex, educational level, prescribed task, accountability level, etc. The survey was reinforced by a schedule distributed to 300 workers belonging to two oil companies. This schedule comprises 30 items related to six main factors that influence human reliability.
Results
Qualitative observations and schedule data processing had shown that the sociocultural factors can negatively and positively influence operator behaviors.
Conclusion
The explored sociocultural factors influence the human reliability both in qualitative and quantitative manners. The proposed model shows how reliability can be enhanced by some measures such as experience feedback based on, for example, safety improvements, training, and information. With that is added the continuous systems improvements to improve sociocultural reality and to reduce negative behaviors.
CHIREMSEL Z, NAIT-SAID R, CHIREMSEL R.
Probabilistic Fault Diagnosis of Safety Instrumented Systems based on Fault Tree Analysis and Bayesian Network. J Fail. Anal. and Preven [Internet]. 2016;16 :747–760.
Publisher's VersionAbstractSafety instrumented systems (SISs) are used in the oil and gas industry to detect the onset of hazardous events and/or to mitigate their consequences to humans, assets, and environment. A relevant problem concerning these systems is failure diagnosis. Diagnostic procedures are then required to determine the most probable source of undetected dangerous failures that prevent the system to perform its function. This paper presents a probabilistic fault diagnosis approach of SIS. This is a hybrid approach based on fault tree analysis (FTA) and Bayesian network (BN). Indeed, the minimal cut sets as the potential sources of SIS failure were generated via qualitative analysis of FTA, while diagnosis importance factor of components was calculated by converting the standard FTA in an equivalent BN. The final objective is using diagnosis data to generate a diagnosis map that will be useful to guide repair actions. A diagnosis aid system is developed and implemented under SWI-Prolog tool to facilitate testing and diagnosing of SIS.
INNAL F, MCHEBILA, DUTUIT Y.
Uncertainty handling in safety instrumented systems according to IEC 61508 and new proposal based on coupling Monte Carlo analysis and fuzzy sets. Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries [Internet]. 2016;44 (11) :503-514.
Publisher's VersionAbstractSafety instrumented systems must be designed, built and operated to meet tolerable risk level as required regulatory agencies. This requirement is closely related to their probabilistic performance measures which are either their average probability of dangerous failure on demand (PFDavg) or their average frequency of failure (PFH: Probability of Failure per Hour). The object of this work is the SIS performances evaluation taking into account the uncertainties related to the different parameters that come into play: failure rate (λ), common cause failure proportion (β), diagnostic coverage (DC), etc. This leads to an accurate and therefore safe assessment of the safety integrity level (SIL) inherent to safety functions performed by such systems. This aim is in keeping with the requirement of the IEC 61508 standard with respect to handling uncertainty. In this paper we first explain in detail the IEC 61508 approach for handling uncertainty. Afterwards, we propose an approach that combines (i) Monte Carlo analysis (MCA) and (ii) fuzzy sets. Indeed, the first method is appropriate when representative statistical data are available (using pdf of the relating parameters), while the latter applies in the case characterized by vague and subjective information (using membership function). The proposed approach is fully supported with a suitable computer code developed under the MATLAB environment.
BOUDA A, BACHARI N, BAHMED L, BOUBENIA R.
Design of a risk assessment methodology for the introduction of invasive species from ship ballast waters: The case of Arzew port". Management of Environmental Quality [Internet]. 2016;27 (5) :474-490.
Publisher's VersionAbstractPurpose – Ballast water of merchant ship is a source of introduction of invasive species around the globe. The purpose of this paper is to present a quantitative risk assessment applied to a model port, the Port of Arzew in Algeria, and based on an analysis of this port’s shipping traffic. Design/methodology/approach – The risk assessment for introduction of invasive species is interpreted in the form of a probabilistic process, with a combination of two probabilities. The first probability is related to the ability of a species to arrive to the destination (recipient port), depending on the quantity of water ballast discharged and the duration of voyage. The second one is based on the species ability to survive in their new environment, which depends on the environmental similarity between donor port and Arzew port. Findings – This assessment’s outcome consists on a classification of scenarios regarding their acceptability. Consequently, it helped to classify donor ports according to a risk scale, from low risk to high-risk donor ports. Research limitations/implications – The phenomenon of invasion of aquatic species is a complex process. Factors such as adaptation and tolerance of species, the attendance or absence of predators, were not taken into account in this study. Practical implications – This study could be used by the maritime administration as a decision-making tool regarding the issue of exemptions under the IMO International Convention on the Management of Ballast Water and Sediments 2004. Originality/value – This is one of the first known studies in Algeria and dealing with ballast water management. The results of this assessment provide useful information to policy makers, in order to develop a national strategy to reduce the impact of shipping pollution on the marine environment.
CHETTOUH S, HAMZI R, BENAROUA K.
Examination of fire and related accidents in Skikda Oil Refinery for the period 2002–2013. Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries [Internet]. 2016;41 (5) :186-193.
Publisher's VersionAbstractThis paper presents a statistical analysis of reported accidents related to the Skikda's Oil and Gas Refinery that led to a major explosion and loss of life. A historical review of fire, explosion and toxic release incidents that occurred during the period between 2002 and 2013 is presented. A brief description of each accident/incident is provided with the fatalities and personal injuries that resulted being described. These case studies have been analyzed with a view to understand the common causes including errors, which have led to catastrophic events. Accident frequency analysis has been applied to various types of primary accidental events such as fire, explosion and toxic gas releases to assess the potential damage of such events and the likelihood of such damage occurring. The basic principles of such analysis is to utilize the available information and use the most detailed elements to illustrate what the industry should learn from these accidents so that it can learn from them and hopefully prevent future major accidents.
MOUDA M, DJEBABRA M, BOULAGOUAS W, CHATI M.
Proposal for an Evaluation Method for the Performance of Work Procedures. afety and Health at Work [Internet]. 2016;7 (4) :229-306.
Publisher's Version 