SIMULTANEOUS OPERATIONS

(SIMOPS) STUDY

Muhammad Saim

Objectives

SIMOPS is carried out to :

 Identify and analyze the potential hazards associated with
the simultaneous undertaking of process operations during
the construction, commissioning and operate phases
associated with the project facilities.

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Methodology

 Identify all construction, dismantling/demolition, pre-

commissioning, commissioning, start up and production
operations that may be concurrently undertaken at the
same time.
 Identify if there is a potential hazard associated with the
two operations occurring simultaneously.
 Describe the normal safeguards required by the safety
management systems that are applicable before any
particular operation can be performed, e.g. PTW.

Methodology

 Identify possible restrictions (if any), which if in place, over

and above the existing safety management systems, may
enable the two independent operations to occur
concurrently.
 Record whether or not the two operations are permissible
with or without restrictions.

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Methodology

Methodology

In order to systematically proceed with a SIMOPS

exercise, the following inputs and HSE Tools will be
needed:
 Detailed Activities for the concurrent operations;
 Hazard Identification (HAZID) exercise of the SIMOPS
Activities;
 Risk Analysis of the concluded hazards;
 Schedule of the concurrent activities (SIMOPS); and
 Risk Management.

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Methodology

Safeguards or mitigating strategies are then identified which

may include:
 Eliminating the SIMOPS by the scheduling or permitting process
 Substituting work processes with less hazardous processes
 Separating the SIMOPS by distance
 Separating the SIMOPS by barricades, isolation or engineering controls.
 If safeguards are deemed inadequate, recommendations will be made
to consider or investigate solutions to gain a better understanding of
risk

MOPO

Once the Hazards and Effects Register is completed it is

possible to complete a Manual of Permitted Operations which
defines:
 the level and number of barriers installed initially and the
recovery preparedness measures to be in place
 the limit of safe operation if the barriers and/or recovery
preparedness measures (sometimes referred to as the
'Integrity Envelope') are reduced, removed or purposely
defeated

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MOPO

 the limit of safe operation permitted during periods of

escalated risk, in either likelihood or consequence. This
includes external factors like extreme weather conditions
 which activities may or may not be carried out
concurrently, e.g. simultaneous welding and crude
sampling.

Typical MOPO legend

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Typical MOPO matrix sheet