In fast-paced, safety-critical working environments personnel must be set up to succeed. Novel risks and hazards emerge from the introduction of new technologies, and changes to working practices and the working environment. LR applies expert knowledge of human performance and limitations to help identify factors that increase risk and recommend ways to effectively manage or eliminate that risk for improved safety and operational efficiency. 

By applying human factors principles to incident investigations, LR uncovers the systemic issues and factors contributing to maritime incidents and advises on solutions. This is achieved through: 

  • Independent Incident Investigation 
  • Near Miss & HSE Performance Assessment 
  • Human Risk Assessment for New Technologies 
  • Human Risk Assessment for Alternative Fuels 
  • Human Reliability Assessment (HRA)  
  • Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) 
  • Safety Critical Task Analysis (SCTA) 
  • Hazard and Operability Analysis (HAZOP) 

Incident Investigation 

Following an incident, LR offers support and expert guidance to enhance your incident investigation dependent on your needs:   

  • An initial consultation to discuss human factors best practice to incident investigation.  
  • Expert advice on interviewing those involved, including what questions to ask and how to approach potentially emotionally sensitive topics.  
  • Explanation of safety culture principles and their connection to human performance and safety behaviours.  
  • Review of interview data to identify trends and focus areas.  
  • Identification of potential human error pinch points and error mitigations to reduce risk. 
  • Conduct an independent incident investigation, sharing findings relating to causal factors and make recommendations to prevent recurrence. 

LR uses systematic risk assessment methodologies, such as Safety Critical Task Analysis (SCTA) and Human Reliability Analysis (HRA), during incident investigation to effectively identify, assess, and mitigate risks, particularly in safety-critical tasks. 

Identifying and Managing Human Risk 

LR has more than 20 years of  experience working with clients in safety-critical industries spanning psychology, physiology, sociology, and engineering. This multidisciplinary approach helps us to identify cognitive, physical, and organisational risks and understand how these factors influence human behaviour. 

By analysing human performance, decision-making processes, and environmental factors, we can identify the root causes of incidents and give you actionable recommendations to enhance safety. This holistic approach helps you develop more effective risk mitigation strategies, improve training programs, and strengthen safety cultures to prevent future unwanted events.  

Why LR

Our team of experts work with the IMO’s Maritime Just Transition Task Force (MJTTF) and key consortiums to identify human risks and safety concerns associated with the use of alternative fuels in the maritime industry.  

LR’s comprehensive review of process safety and occupational health challenges experienced by seafarers and shore workers included: 

  • Port approach and berthing 
  • Fuel transfers (such as bunkering and tank transfers) 
  • Fuel storage 
  • System start-ups and shutdowns 
  • Normal operations 
  • Maintenance 
  • Emergency scenario handling