3252 Guidance on Crew Resource Management (CRM) and non-technical skills training programmes

Overview:

This document is freely available to all registered users of this site.

Human error remains a constant risk in all workplaces but can be particularly hazardous in industries working with major accident hazards (MAHs), such as the energy industry. The systematic analysis of major process incidents in the energy industry has repeatedly indicated the risks of human error and unsafe behaviours.

Some industries, most notably aviation, strive to minimise human error by the use of crew resource management (CRM), an approach which identifies and trains non-technical skills (e.g. decision making, teamwork and personal resource skills) to improve safety and efficiency.  In response to recent offshore incidents, it has been suggested by regulators that the energy industry should adopt CRM training.

This guidance document has been developed to introduce CRM to the energy sector.  It introduces what CRM training covers, sets out the case why CRM training should be implemented, and provides a process to help an organisation develop and implement a CRM training programme. Examples of CRM courses are given, and sources of background information and further reading are provided.

This publication should be seen as part of a suite of resources being developed in conjunction with the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (OGP), the first of which, Report 501, has already been published.

This publication will be of interest to HS&E managers, and those responsible for, and for ensuring the competence of, operational crews.  Those who are already creating CRM training programmes should seek to align their efforts with the guidance in this document.