Introduction to Management of Change (MoC)

Summary

This script discusses the criticality of managing change in industrial settings, using historical accidents at Flixborough, Grouth, and Longford as examples. It emphasizes the importance of identifying and assessing potential hazards introduced by changes in plant, people, and processes. The speaker outlines a six-stage approach to managing change, highlighting the necessity of risk assessment, approval, and documentation. The goal is to ensure operational safety and prevent incidents, underscoring that effective management of change is crucial for business success and compliance with safety standards.

Takeaways

• ⚠️ Historical accidents like Flixborough, Grouth, and Longford highlight the importance of proper management of change (MOC) to prevent catastrophic incidents.
• 🔍 Key findings from past accidents include plant modifications without calculations or drawings, highlighting the need for structured MOC processes.
• 👷‍♂️ Changes to personnel roles and job functions can significantly impact risk exposure, emphasizing the importance of considering human factors in MOC.
• 🏭 MOC involves identifying potential hazards introduced by changes and assessing the associated risks, covering a wide range of areas including plant, people, and processes.
• 🔄 The concept of 'like for like' changes is introduced, where replacing an item with an identical one may not require a full MOC process.
• 📈 A six-stage approach to MOC is outlined: verification, risk assessment and review, approval, authorization, and closure.
• 📋 Checklists and guiding questions play a critical role in the MOC process, helping to ensure a clear 'yes' or 'no' response to risk assessments.
• 📝 Keeping detailed records of MOC is essential for providing an audit trail, demonstrating compliance, and ensuring changes are reviewed and approved by authorized personnel.
• 🛡 The ultimate goal of MOC is to protect the safety of workers and the success of the business by managing changes that could impact operations.
• 🌟 Effective MOC is crucial in preventing the recurrence of past catastrophic events and ensuring the safety and success of business operations.

Q & A

What are some catastrophic incidents mentioned in the script that highlight the importance of management of change?

The script mentions Flixborough, Grouth, and Longford as catastrophic incidents that underscore the significance of managing change effectively.

What were the key findings from the Flixborough disaster in 1974 that relate to management of change?

The key findings from the Flixborough disaster included plant modification without proper calculations or drawings, indicating a failure in the management of change.

What specific issue was identified in the Grouth incident of 1987 that connects to management of change?

In the Grouth incident, a low-level trip that was disconnected was previously identified in a hazard review, but no action was taken, highlighting a lapse in change management.

How does the Longford incident in 1998 relate to management of organizational change?

The Longford incident involved changes in people's roles and job functions without considering their safety-critical nature, which is a key aspect of managing organizational change.

What is the definition of Management of Change (MOC) as provided in the script?

Management of Change (MOC) is defined as the process of identifying potential hazards that a change can introduce, assessing the risks associated with those hazards, and dealing with them.

What are the three areas covered by MOC as discussed in the script?

The three areas covered by MOC are changes to the plant, changes to people, and changes to processes.

What is the difference between 'same same' and 'same same but different' in the context of MOC?

'Same same' refers to replacing an item with another that has the same function and scope, which might not require a MOC process. 'Same same but different' implies the same piece of equipment is used but for a slightly different job, which may necessitate a MOC process.

What is the six-stage approach to managing change mentioned in the script?

The six-stage approach to managing change includes verification, risk assessment and review, approval process, authorization, and closure.

Why are procedures and checklists important in the management of change?

Procedures and checklists are crucial in MOC because they provide guiding questions and clear responses, reducing ambiguity and risk exposure.

Why is it important to keep records of management of change?

Keeping records of MOC is important for providing an auditable trail of risk and hazard management, ensuring compliance with codes, practices, and standards, and verifying that changes have been reviewed and approved by authorized personnel.

What is the ultimate objective of managing change in the context of safety and business operations?

The ultimate objective of managing change is to protect the safety of people working at or living near the site and to ensure that changes do not negatively impact the safety of operations or the success of the business.