Select Page

Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPS) occur when two or more potentially conflicting activities are being executed in the same location at the same time. The SIMOPS risk assessment is to be conducted through several dedicated meetings, with participation of multidisciplinary attendees by all operations involved parties. The resulting combined hazards are to be assessed and proper control measures to be implemented in order to reduce the related risks to As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) level. The mitigation actions to be continuously reviewed according to work site progress and their implementation on the area to be continuous monitored.

How to Conduct a SIMOPS Risk Assessment

The SIMOPS risk assessment process in order to review and evaluate in detail the simultaneous operations and tasks, has the following steps:

  1. Identify the combined operations
  2. Execute Risk Assessment for EACH task separately
  3. Identify the additional hazards introduced by the SIMOPS;
  4. Assessing the relevant level of risk;
  5. Verify the adequacy of the planned control measure;
  6. Identifying additional risk reduction measure.

Responsibilities

  • SIMOPS Leader: Simultaneous Operations Leader (S.O.L) is responsible for proper coordination and safe simultaneous interfaces between departments as well as identification and resolution of any potential impact on other operations. The S.O.L. ensures that all members of the operational teams duly enforce the requirements of this SIMOPS procedure. It is the responsibility of the SOL to follow up to completion of all planned SIMOPS activities and to report to Master any trend or omission, which could potentially jeopardize the planning schedule, work areas, personnel or environment.
  • Task Supervisors: The safety of SIMOPS operations is dependent to a great degree on the general communication, coordination and cooperation between the S.O.L. / Task Supervisors / Team members and other involved personnel.

In this respect, and in addition to the usual job preparation, Task Supervisors shall:

  1. Ensure that their works have been planned and that all involved personnel have been informed of the schedule and any potential constraints and interferences.
  2. Ensure the necessary permits to work are authorized and ready for display at the work site.
  3. Confirm starting time and duration.
  4. Confirm evaluation of potential constraints and interference.
  5. Check that operation and emergency procedures comply with SIMOPS context and to the current schedule of the planned activities.
  6. Ensure that necessary equipment and personnel are available, ready to commence the task
  • Team Members: The members that are part of each task operation. They should follow the task supervisor instructions, and be briefed prior task/operation initiation. Pre-request items such as, PPE use, Experience / training, and fatigue management should be applied to team members prior task/operation.

Actions required

Ship managers should provide clear guidance for combined operations and an effective SIMOPS risk assessment procedure to be in place in order to enhance safety onboard vessel or offshore units. A step by step thinking procedure should be followed as a guide to safe execution of combined operations.

A pre-defined and complete SIMOPS risk assessment library with all relevant combined operations should be issued and forwarded on board.


APPENDIX A: SIMOPS Decision Making Flow Chart

See also our related product