Larry Wilson, author and CEO, SafeStart, looks at how neuroscience aligns with critical error reduction techniques
As we continue our series on Paradigm Shifts in safety (if you haven’t yet, catch up at https://ae.safestart.com/paradigm-shifts/), we encourage you to dive into the seventh article of the twelve-part series.
In the last issue, we discussed the concept of self-triggering; the importance of learning how to self-trigger quickly, or at least quickly enough to prevent making a critical error, which means that we must train the sub-conscious mind. Now, to a certain extent, we have already discussed the importance of involving or using the sub-conscious mind to prevent injuries when we talked about developing good habits with eyes on task, so that if or when your mind goes off task, you’ll still, most likely, get the benefit of your reflexes.
Habits and reflexes are not things we are deciding to do in the moment with our conscious mind. They are both sub-conscious. All this is where the neuroscience comes in. Until recently (last 10 years or so) scientists and psychologists could speculate as to what part of the brain was being used. But it wasn’t until FMRI’s that they could prove it. And I think that it’s interesting how the neuroscience and the Critical Error Reduction Techniques (CERTs) are aligned or how the neuroscience supports or validates the CERTs. But my dad, who is an engineer, was unimpressed. When I explained it to him, he said that it was one of the best examples of, “Locking the door after the horse has got out” he’d ever heard.
So, he’s got a point. But it’s still pretty interesting. And it is science which always helps when dealing with sceptics. So, we’re going to get into at least a bit of it as we go through all four CERTs. Two of which we have discussed already: work on habits, or work on improving your safety-related habits and self-triggering on the states (rushing, frustration, fatigue) so you don’t make a critical error. And obviously, this has to happen quickly.
Even if it’s only a split-second too late, it’s still too late. And to get close to reflex speed, we need to use the sub-conscious mind. The conscious mind just isn’t quick enough. Ironically, training the sub-conscious mind—isn’t quick—and when you think about learning arithmetic, it wasn’t always exciting either. To give you an example of speed, repetition, and the power of the sub-conscious mind, just answer the following question as quickly as you can: What is 3 x 4? You probably already have the answer in your head before you read it here. It’s 12. That’s how quick your sub-conscious mind is. But how many repetitions did it take to get that quick—so you didn’t have to process anything? And very reliable: almost impossible to get it wrong… now try quickly 13 x 14.
To find out the answer to the last question (without checking your calculator) and explore how the neuroscience behind Critical Error Reduction Techniques aligns with safety practices, continue reading the full article clicking here. Stay with us as we delve deeper into the power of the subconscious mind and its role in preventing critical errors.
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CS Combustion Solutions recently enhanced the capacity and efficiency of a sulfuric acid production plant located in Africa’s Copperbelt region, where demand for sulfuric acid is crucial in mining applications such as leaching copper and cobalt
Faced with growing demand, the plant needed to increase production while reducing operational costs and improving reliability. Through targeted improvements, CS increased daily production from 2,200 to 3,000 tons and optimised the plant’s overall performance.
Prior to the upgrade, the plant faced several challenges, including incomplete combustion, which led to sulfur droplets fouling downstream equipment like the waste heat boiler (WHB) and catalyst beds, increasing system pressure and requiring frequent shutdowns for maintenance. Clogging issues with conventional pressure atomisers resulted in frequent, costly nozzle replacements, while poor droplet atomisation caused hotspots in the refractory lining, increasing wear and reducing reliability.
CS Combustion Solutions tackled these issues with the following measures:
1. Ultrasonic atomisation: Replacing pressure atomisers with ultrasonic nozzles reduced droplet size from 400 to 110 µm, which minimised fouling, improved combustion, and protected the refractory lining from localised heat.
2. Swirl bodies: Introducing swirl bodies created rotational motion in the combustion air, enhancing flame formation and leading to more efficient sulfur combustion.
3. VectorWall installation: Replacing the plant’s original baffle walls with a VectorWall improved mixing within the combustion chamber, reduced hotspots, and prevented unreacted sulfur carryover to downstream components.
4. CFD analysis: A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) study simulated and optimized the modifications prior to implementation, ensuring targeted performance improvements.
With these enhancements, the plant boosted production capacity by 30%, enabling 40 tons of sulfur incineration per hour. The new configuration allows maintenance of sulfur guns without stopping operations, reducing downtime and saving US$160,000 annually by decreasing pressure drop. Additionally, precise ultrasonic atomisation prevented sulfur buildup on the refractory, extending its lifespan.
This case study highlights the importance of innovative combustion technologies and detailed pre-implementation analysis, offering valuable insights for facilities facing similar challenges in optimising sulfuric acid production.
Halliburton has launched SandTrap XL consolidation service for sand control, a chemical resin consolidation technology to stop the production of formation sand
SandTrap XL sand control service employs an externally activated, low-viscosity resin system that provides consolidation strength to the formation grains without compromising rock permeability. Unlike internally activated resin systems, there are no restrictions on pumping or activation time to allow treatment of longer intervals.
The SandTrap XL system excels in the treatment of high-clay content minerology up to 25% and adapts to various formation mineralogies. It provides thermal stability above 550°F (287°C). This allows it to control sand in heavy oil reservoirs under enhanced oil recovery methods, such as steam flooding. As part of Halliburton’s portfolio of remedial solutions, SandTrap XL mitigates solids production, including formation sand and fines migration. This approach helps ensure the long-term stability and productivity of oil wells to address the needs of operators in diverse geological environments.
“Excessive sand production remains an issue in our industry,” said Luke Holderman, vice president, Production Solutions and Pipeline & Process Services. “SandTrap XL empowers our customers to maximise asset value through enhanced well performance and extended asset life. Through customised chemical consolidation, SandTrap XL provides a reliable solution for mature fields and unconsolidated reservoirs to ensure long-term productivity and efficiency.”
Eni and BP have resumed their exploration activities in Libya after halting drilling operations in the onshore region in 2014, according to Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC)
This follows the formal revocation of force majeure status by Eni and NOC in August 2023 on exploration areas A&B (onshore) and C (offshore), where Eni is operator with 42.5% along with bp (42.5%) and Libya Investment Authority (15%), as a result of a favourable security assessment. Some of these areas are close to the Wafa gas facilities that export production to Italy.
On October 26, Eni began its exploration activities in the Area B (96/3) of Ghadames Basin, where the first exploratory well, A1-96/3 (Hasheem Prospect), was drilled. This well is the first under the contractual obligations for Area B in Ghadames Basin, according to the Fourth Bid Round Contract of 2007. Mellitah Oil & Gas, which has extensive experience in the region, particularly in developing and managing the Wafa field, is overseeing the drilling operations and all related activities for this well.
Several promising geological formations in the A1-96/3 well are set to be tested, which are expected to contain both oil and gas. The well is projected to reach a final depth of approximately 3,147 m.
The A1-96/3 well is located around 35 km from the Wafa field and approximately 650 km from the capital, Tripoli.
Eni is the leading international gas producer in Libya, where it has been operating since 1959, and currently has a large portfolio of assets in exploration, production and development. Production activities are operated through the joint venture company Mellitah Oil and Gas BV (Eni 50%, NOC 50%).
Repsol and OMV are also set to restart operations sin the Murzuq Basin and Sirte Basin respectively, NOC says.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has successfully completed its Safety in Heat campaign, aimed at ensuring compliance with the summer midday work ban for all companies operating in the energy sector.
This regulation, which prohibits outdoor work under direct sunlight from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm, was in effect from 15 June to 15 September 2024, enhancing worker safety during the hottest months.
Throughout the campaign, the DoE’s Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Department conducted numerous inspection visits to sites in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
These inspections focused on educating workers, employers, and supervisors on the importance of adhering to the work ban and implementing best practices to minimise heat stress risks. As part of these efforts, companies were encouraged to provide shaded rest areas, fans, ample water, hydration salts, and essential first-aid equipment.
Engineer Abdul Rahman Al Alawi, Director of the HSE Department, underscored the importance of the campaign, noting that it not only reinforced adherence to safety standards but also highlighted essential measures to protect workers from heat-related illnesses. Al Alawi praised the cooperation from various entities and thanked teams involved in promoting worker safety, recognising the campaign’s role in fostering a safe work environment.
The DoE’s campaign included 2,139 internal workshops and 5,056 awareness sessions, reaching approximately 37,759 workers across the sector. Over 7,276 informational brochures were distributed, while social media platforms, videos, text messages, and emails helped deliver more than 3,800 safety messages, benefiting a total of 40,828 workers. Furthermore, 3,943 inspection visits were carried out, verifying compliance with established safety standards.
Nearly one in five (18%) workers have experienced harm at work globally, with nearly half of this going unreported, according to the latest edition of the Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll
The research comes from global safety charity Lloyd’s Register Foundation’s latest report: Engineering safer workplaces: Global trends in occupational safety and health using World Risk Poll data collected by global analytics firm Gallup, who conducted 147,000 interviews in 142 countries and territories around the world.
According to the report, rates of harm vary greatly from sector to sector, with fishing named as the most dangerous occupation, just ahead of construction and mining. Low- and lower-middle-income countries were also found to have higher workplace harm rates (19% and 22%, respectively). Almost two thirds of the global workforce (62%) have never received occupational safety and health (OSH) training about risks associated with their work.
Those in less stable forms of employment, such as part-time employees, were found to be more likely to suffer from harm than full-time employees (20% versus 15%). This is compounded by the fact that rates of training were found to be lower for part-time employees – less than a quarter (23%) had received workplace safety training in the past two years, compared to 41% of full-time employees.
Only half (51%) of the workers globally who experienced harm at work say they reported it. The report found that the more recently people have had training, the more likely they are to report workplace harm if they experience it. Individuals who had received workplace safety training in the last two years are 3.3 times more likely to report harm, compared to those who had never received any.
Nancy Hey, director of evidence and insight at Lloyd’s Register Foundation, said, “Low reporting rates, combined with a potential lack of awareness due to low training rates, mean that the true extent of workplace harm is rarely revealed. That’s why safety and health interventions that are both regular and tailored must be a priority for both businesses and policymakers, along with clear reporting tools for all employees – including both part-time and full-time. Special efforts must be made to reach those most at risk and ensure they have a holistic understanding of what safety and health means, as well as an in-depth knowledge of essential procedures in place to keep them safe."
According to International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates, nearly three million people worldwide die of work-related accidents and diseases every year. Another 395 million workers sustain non-fatal injuries, particularly in hazardous industrial sectors such as agriculture and construction.
The report can be downloaded here
The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, in collaboration with Core42, a G42 company specialising in sovereign cloud, AI infrastructure, and digital services, has unveiled an advanced digital portal aimed at improving fire and life safety standards across the emirate.
The portal allows the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, building owners, and maintenance companies to register, manage, and update safety protocols in real time. Developed as part of the Hassantuk programme by Core42, the new system enhances safety for residents by reducing property damage and accelerating emergency response times.
This innovative solution not only improves safety but also streamlines operational efficiency for maintenance firms and property owners, enabling them to monitor and maintain safety standards more effectively.
Introduced in 2018 by the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, the Hassantuk programme requires the installation of fire detection devices and integration with the civil defence electronic system in residential and public buildings. The new digital portal, developed by Core42, strengthens this initiative by connecting buildings directly to a command centre, ensuring faster verification and response to fire incidents.
The command centre offers essential real-time insights into fire and life safety performance, enabling operators to identify non-compliant buildings, monitor maintenance companies' performance, and ensure transparency in the fulfilment of maintenance contracts.
This contributes significantly to enhancing community safety. The platform includes features such as real-time fault reporting, automated updates, and preventive maintenance tracking, creating a clear communication channel between building owners, maintenance companies, and Civil Defence. This ensures prompt action to address and prevent any safety issues.
Colonel Dr. Engineer Faisal Hassan Al-Qahtani, acting director of the Civil Protection Department, added, "The Hassantuk program has registered over 35,000 buildings in Abu Dhabi, significantly mitigating fire and life risks. With the new smart solution, we can now access real-time data, detect false alarms, and proactively monitor property maintenance, further enhancing safety in a controlled manner. This underscores Abu Dhabi’s commitment to leading in digital solutions that improve the well-being of its residents.”
"We are proud to deliver this state-of-the-art digital solution to the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority and help advance fire and life safety standards in the Emirate," said Yousef Al Harmoodi, chief business development officer, Core42 and general manager, Hassantuk. “Core42 is committed to advancing the digital ambitions of the UAE. Through this portal and command center, we aim to empower the Civil Defence team to monitor compliance, ensure service-level agreements are met, and track maintenance activities in real time. This collaboration reflects Core42’s commitment to driving the nation's vision forward, and positioning Abu Dhabi as a global leader in smart city initiatives."
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the UAE's largest industrial company outside the oil and gas sector, has announced achieving zero heat-related illnesses for the third consecutive summer.
Heat-related illnesses pose a significant risk for anyone working outdoors during the UAE's intense summer heat, with the potential to be life-threatening if not addressed promptly. EGA’s industrial operations, which generate additional heat, run continuously throughout the summer, requiring round-the-clock outdoor work.
EGA's 'Beat the Heat' programme, in place for over a decade, is a comprehensive, summer-long initiative designed to combat occupational heat stress. It focuses on raising awareness among employees about the early signs of heat-related illness and empowering them to take proactive measures to prevent its onset.
EGA’s ‘Beat the Heat’ campaign incorporates several measures to prevent heat-related illnesses, including hydration tests conducted before and during shifts, regular breaks, and cooling showers. The programme also features cooling booths, drinking stations, icemakers, and portable air conditioning units installed throughout the production areas to ensure that both employees and contractors remain cool and comfortable during their work shifts.
Medical personnel from EGA’s on-site centres play an active role in heat stress prevention, working closely with employees and providing immediate treatment to anyone reporting early symptoms of heat stress.
Since 2022, EGA has partnered with US technology firm Kenzen to trial wearable technology that monitors key physiological indicators such as core body temperature and heart rate. This summer, 300 EGA employees used these devices, which provide real-time feedback to both the wearer and EGA’s safety team, allowing for the detection of early heat stress signs before they are physically felt.
The last recorded cases of heat-related illness at EGA were in 2020 when two employees required treatment. Both individuals received intravenous hydration and fully recovered within hours.
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, said, “Our success in completely preventing heat-related illness on our sites for the third year in a row proves that this key hazard for outdoor workers in region can be overcome. Occupational heat stress remains a serious challenge in our region and beyond, and we believe our experience has important lessons for everyone employing people to work outside.”
Data and analytics company GlobalData has released a thematic report, Robotics in Oil and Gas, which highlights the role of major oil and gas companies, such as ADNOC, BP, Eni, Equinor, ExxonMobil, Repsol, Rosneft, Shell, and TotalEnergies in the development and adoption of robotics to enhance safety and productivity on the field
With the applications of robotics continuously evolving, the oil and gas industry has emerged as a significant adopter of the technology to improve safety and efficiency of operations. According to the GlobalData report, robots equipped with advanced technologies are yielding increasingly positive results, bringing a continued transformation in the operations of oil and gas companies.
Ravindra Puranik, oil and gas analyst at GlobalData, said, “Robots are proving invaluable to execute complex tasks at production facilities, thereby protecting workers from hazardous environments and reducing the likelihood of costly shutdowns. As a result, companies such as Equinor, TotalEnergies, and Shell are deploying them to work alongside humans on offshore sites. For instance, robotic automation can manage remote operations, such as those conducted on Equinor's Oseberg H platform in the North Sea. Their ability to perform repetitive and mundane tasks with minimal errors is saving time and internal resources for companies. Furthermore, it allows them to deploy field technicians on more critical issues.”
Oil and gas operations are labor-intensive and involve numerous repetitive tasks, many of which occur in hazardous environments and face various obstacles. Robotics presents an excellent solution to many challenges within the industry, as they can handle more strenuous tasks and complex procedures more effectively than humans.
Puranik said, “Robots provide greater reliability and efficiency in completing assigned tasks while also enhancing operational safety. The integration of terrestrial, aerial, and underwater robots is already playing a crucial role in several high-stakes oil and gas projects throughout the value chain. French oil major TotalEnergies, in collaboration with Oceaneering, recently conducted a pilot inspection of subsea pipelines in the North Sea using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).”
Robots can access hard-to-reach areas, carry out tasks beyond human capabilities, and operate continuously without needing breaks. Hence, they are being utilized as effective solutions for conducting inspections in difficult or hazardous environments, thereby avoiding preventing human exposure to such sites. Recently, cleaning of storage tanks is emerging as another prominent use case for robotics with companies, such as Saudi Aramco, Woodside, SK Innovation, and Indian Oil Corp, exploring the potential of robotic crawlers in this application.“Advancements in technology have equipped robots to effectively replace field personnel on oil rigs. Additionally, there is an increase in collaboration between oil and gas companies and technology vendors, enabling the diversification of robotic use cases with the integration of AI, IoT, cloud, and edge computing. These developments are anticipated to drive future growth in robotics within the oil and gas sector, reducing risks to human workers who operate alongside heavy machinery in often remote and challenging environments,” said Puranik.
The New Murabba Development Company, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has announced significant progress on the creation of its ambitious urban destination.
Excavation at the iconic Mukaab and its surrounding podium sites is now 86% complete, with over 10 million cubic metres of earth moved. This milestone highlights the fast pace of the project and reaffirms the company’s commitment to delivering the world’s largest, modern downtown.
In addition to the sheer scale of the development, the project prioritises worker safety, having logged over 3 million safe work hours to date.
This focus on safety underscores the company's belief that progress and worker well-being must go hand in hand as it builds Riyadh's new downtown.
Around 900 workers work on-site every day.
“These milestones are a testament to the dedication and skill of our team, and our ambition to build a world-class destination that prioritises both innovation and the well-being of our workforce. We are proud of the progress made at New Murabba, and excited to continue shaping the future of Riyadh”, said Michael Dyke, CEO of New Murabba Development Company.
The recent progress that New Murabba made highlights the team’s effort during the excavation process.
One crucial element of the development is the focus on environmentally friendly methods for managing the excavated materials.
The excavation process required the daily use of approximately 250 excavators and over 400 pieces of equipment to effectively manage the extensive excavation work. This serves to underline the considerable scale and magnitude of the operation.
New Murabba is set to build a temporary bridge, a key infrastructure element that will link the construction site by crossing King Khalid Road.
This bridge will play a vital role in enabling continuous development and preparing for the start of Mukaab piling in the coming months. By reducing approximately 800,000 truck movements on public roads during earthworks, the bridge will have a positive effect on the surrounding infrastructure. With around 900 workers on-site daily, the project is progressing swiftly, bringing the landmark destination closer to completion.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has officially launched its 2025 health and safety awards, with NEBOSH as the headline sponsor.
The awards celebrate organisations and individuals dedicated to improving health, safety, and wellbeing within communities. RoSPA and NEBOSH, both longstanding leaders in safety improvements, are inviting applications from businesses and organisations seeking recognition for their achievements in health and safety.
RoSPA's health and safety awards programme, established in 1956, is the longest-running of its kind in the UK. NEBOSH, founded in 1979, has been a key partner in driving global health and safety advancements alongside RoSPA. Together, they have contributed to saving countless lives and promoting safety best practices across industries.
Applications are open to organisations of all sizes, from small enterprises to large corporations. The awards highlight excellence in safety management systems, while the Inspiration Awards recognise outstanding achievements by individuals and teams. RoSPA has partnered with Chas, the UK's leading health and safety accreditation scheme, to simplify the entry process for Chas members.
Entries will be evaluated through a comprehensive and impartial judging process, conducted by experienced occupational health and safety professionals. The main award panel will be chaired by Dee Arp, Chief Quality Officer at NEBOSH.
Rebecca Hickman, CEO at RoSPA, said, “We are delighted to kick off the RoSPA 2025 Awards and honoured to have NEBOSH by our side as headline sponsor. Together, we have a long history of improving the health, safety and wellbeing of our communities and the Awards is the perfect way for us to stand together and make a difference.
“We look forward to reading about the health and safety innovations of organisations and individuals around the world.”
Andy Shenstone, chief executive, NEBOSH said, “Aligned with our new strategy, we’re committed to advancing NEBOSH’s mission through social purpose initiatives that expand our charitable impact in the UK and globally. Collaborating with like-minded organisations is crucial to our success, and as a fellow charity, we’re honoured to support RoSPA’s vital work in preventing harm.”
To enter the 2025 RoSPA Awards, find out more information on the process or to see the extra benefits for RoSPA members see www.rospa.com/awards.
Synectics, a leader in surveillance technology, will introduce a range of cutting-edge solutions to enhance safety and security in the oil and gas sector at ADIPEC 2024.
Located at stand 14545 in the digitalisation zone (Hall 14), Synectics will demonstrate how Artificial Intelligence (AI), COEX cameras with built-in analytics, and new integration capabilities can significantly boost both remote and on-site monitoring for oil and gas facilities.
With nearly four decades of experience, Synectics' solutions are deployed across onshore refineries, pipelines, vessels, FPSOs, and other offshore facilities. The company is the top provider of surveillance equipment for FLNG facilities, a key component in the global energy transition.
Among the innovations on display will be Synergy DETECT, an AI-powered solution that integrates with Synectics' Synergy software, allowing users to customise AI-driven detection capabilities to meet their specific needs.
“When the PPE detection tool is activated, for example,” said Darren Alder, head of oil & gas at Synectics, “an alert is generated whenever a worker appears in the frame without a protective helmet or high-visibility vest. This is a significant benefit for efficient safety protocol enforcement.”
Darren added, “Another safety-related feature I think will be of interest is Fall Detection. It’s common practice for oil and gas teams to have ‘man-down’ sensors linked to their radios, but in reality, this only detects when the radio falls or is placed on the floor. The Fall Detection feature uses AI to immediately spot a slip, trip, or fall – ensuring those in need receive help as quickly as possible.”
Analytics-based risk detection ‘at the edge’ with COEX
“Our cameras have featured edge-based video analytics for a while, but our latest models take things a step forward”, explains Darren. “For instance, where they were previously able to detect left or removed objects or intrusion into areas marked by ‘virtual tripwires’, they can now classify people and vehicle types for improved risk detection and filtering so that surveillance teams can quickly focus in on what matters, and – by reducing the risk of false positives – rule out what doesn’t.
“The flexibility of both COEX cameras and our Synergy security and surveillance software is particularly beneficial for upgrade projects as, whether working with TSIs, EPCs or directly with end users, we can advise on and implement the best options for the existing infrastructure.”
Ross Chapman, international business development manager at Synectics, said, “We’re seeing a great deal of interest from the sector, in particular regarding radiometrics, and with good reason. Wherever visibility is compromised due to operating conditions, or where 24/7 security is non-negotiable, radiometrics integration delivers a range of very clear benefits, making it possible to detect risk through heat variation.”
Ross added, “Remote monitoring is a key trend right now, especially offshore, where we are seeing more sites switch to being unmanned or operating with skeleton crews to reduce energy consumption. Monitoring these sites remotely means fewer human resources are needed without compromising safety or security.
“Remote surveillance solutions also appeal to oil and gas operators who wish to centralise process and security monitoring. For management teams, securely viewing live data and dashboard reports from multiple sites, whether in the same country or across an entire continent, is crucial. We look forward to discussing the opportunities available with those attending the show.”