Projects

Diamond Offshore traces its beginnings to the earliest days of the offshore drilling industry. Decades of innovation, multiple acquisitions and an unwavering commitment to safety have led to define Diamond Offshore as an established world leader in offshore drilling.

The challenge of considering the needs of the user in the design of HMI systems

In recent years, there has grown a greater understanding and awareness of the importance that human factors can play in helping avoid accidents and ill-health at work, including in the control of major accident hazards.

Diamond Offshore was challenged by the local coastal state regulator to provide a demonstration as to how the needs of the user are incorporated into the design of the safety critical human-machine interfaces (HMI) on board two of their mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs).
 

Given the stage in the respective MODUs’ life cycles, it was not considered appropriate to rely upon human factors input into the original build programmes.

So Marex recommended and committed to undertake onboard reviews of the safety-critical HMI against industry standards, guidance and good practice.

The assessment methodology agreed was based on the guidance provided in codes, standards and guidelines developed by the Abnormal Situation Management (ASM) Consortium, the Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association, the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers and the UK health & Safety Executive.

The assessments were undertaken by a qualified human factor engineering consultant.

The areas on the MODUs that were assessed include the drillers’ doghouse, ballast control room, deck crane operating cabins, anchor winch houses and the radio room.

The process included observation of the HMI aspects in operation, as well as interviews with the operators.