Case studies

Coal Mine - simulating design, construction and commissioning decisions

This study guides users through the challenging practice of engineering decision making, this time focussing on the design, construction and commissioning of a coal mine. It highlights the pressures of budget and schedule, enabling users to experience how these factors influence vital decisions.

Gas Plant - simulating operational decisions

In this study the user will encounter a stream of crucial decision making points, which would typically occur while on shift, operating a gas plant. Users will practice managing the tenuous balance between meeting production output targets, while managing a process upset.

Tank Farm - simulating operational decisions

This study exposes the user to a series of challenges associated with operating a tank farm. They will make ongoing decisions about the operations, comparable to those that could occur while on shift. Users will practice managing the tenuous balance between meeting production output targets, while adhering to essential safety requirements.

Offshore Platform - simulating incident investigation

In this study the user will play the role of the incident investigator tasked with identifying the root causes. The case study explores the complexity behind the incident and prompts the user to identify the true causes beyond the immediate direct cause.

Lift Off - exploring decision making

This case study takes the user through the process of making critical decisions within a complex organisation as they manage a busy launch schedule. It highlights the ethical pressures of working within existing processes to solve problems.

Tidal Wave - emergency response

This case study will take the user through an emergency response event as it unfolds. It highlights the different risks and challenges of responding to a natural hazard triggering a technological accident.

Chemical Plant - inherently safer design

This case study guides users through the principles of inherently safer design and their application.  It highlights the conflicting pressure of budget and production versus safety, showing the challenges of determining which option is inherently safer.

This case study was part funded by a donation to IChemE from Saudi Aramco.

Underground Pipeline - managing business risk

This case study explores how an organisation manages risk and the conflicting financial pressure.  It highlights how making assumptions in asset management can impact the overall risk profile and safety performance.

This case study was part funded by a donation to IChemE from Saudi Aramco.

Fun Park - Human elements of failure to learn

This case study exposes the user to a series of challenges
associated with learning to operate a theme park
ride. They will assess how well they think they have
been prepared to operate the ride. It will cover
learning from previous incidents or near misses, and
explore the human factors elements involved.

Safe Anyway - Creeping changes

This case study exposes the user to a series of changes made to an aircraft fleet over twenty years.  They will assess the risks of extension of the fleet, the organisational changes and the role of the safety case.  It will explore the phenomenon of creeping change.

Setting Sail - understanding incident causation

In this case study the user explores the aftermath of an incident, determining who or what caused the event to occur. It will explore the application of controls, identifying engineering control being higher reliability than human, as well as identifying issues with requiring people to prove something is unsafe.