Ron's Response:

Post-Traumatic Stress and PTSD can deeply affect an individual’s ability to perform safely and effectively in the workplace. Here are some key areas where PTS can have a profound impact:

1. Impaired Decision-Making...

Ron's Response:

Have you ever wondered why gaining the cooperation of operators can be difficult when introducing new procedures or control system changes? You might feel like you're being interrogated in a high-pressure environment. The truth

Ron's Response:

Recognizing the symptoms of PTSD early is essential for taking action and finding support. PTSD can deeply affect many aspects of life, and if left untreated, it can lead to complications like depression, substance abuse, and ev

Ron's Response:

While PTSD is often linked to severe injuries or loss of life, I will address both PTSD and PTS, focusing on the often overlooked mental health challenges that can arise from less severe but still traumatic

Ron's Response:

In high-pressure situations, even the best technical knowledge is of little use without focus and the ability to manage stress effectively. Simulation training helps operators develop these essential sk

Ron's Response:

Pattern recognition and tacit knowledge—the instincts gained through experience—are indispensable for problem-solving. But how do you cultivate these skills in a controlled environment? Simulation trai

Ron's Response:

Curiosity is the cornerstone of a problem-solving mindset. It’s about asking “why” at every opportunity—not just when something goes wrong but to understand the deeper principles at play. Simulation training nu

Ron's Response:

To answer this question let us approach this from three different perspectives. There are three powerful perspectives that form the foundation of this mindset:

1. Curiosity and Openness to Possibil
...

Ron's Response:

Let us first look at a definition from Kumar Dey “Centrifugal compressor surge is a characteristic behavior of the compressor t

Ron's Response:

Whenever an incident occurs the investigators freeze time and slowly break down the sequence of events—viewing it from all perspectives. If only we co

Ron's Response:

In the last pod we discussed how stress can impact performance and what are some of the physiological responses to stress. 

In her book, The Unthinka...

Ron's Response:

Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger was quoted as saying that the moments before the emergency water landing of US Airways Flight 1549 were "the worst sickening, pit-o

Ron's Response:

Developing a simulator program involves a financial commitment and resources to be successful. This continues after the initial installation of the facility. One

Aaron's Response:

When we talk about

Ron's Response:

Several years ago, Gary Klein and Joseph Borders completed a study of operators’ mental models that involved watching how they navigated through proces

Aaron's Response:

Fundamentally, I think this is a two-way street. The way that simulation has changed the way I approach system modernization projects has shifted almost hand-in-hand with the wa

Ron's Response:

Unfortunately, far too many simulators have become dust collectors after their initial installation. They may have been developed for the initial startup of a facility and then

Aaron's Response:

In control system modernization projects – that is, brownfield projects designed to replace and improve the automation systems in plants – the focus is on risk.  Risks come from changes

Ron's Response:

There are a few areas to focus on when developing simulator scenarios.

1. The development of process knowledge, i.e. Distillation, heat exchange, chemical reactions. Scenario
...

Ron's Response:

Critical decisions include situations that could include a loss of containment and prompt isolation of the process is required, or when equipment fails and qu

Ron's Response:

Often times this distinction is not highlighted as each type of procedure presents unique challenges. Yes, there are at least 4 main types of procedures which ar...

Ron's Response:

There are benefits and challenges with procedures. Procedures are an essential part of the safe and efficient operation of our process. The best way to highlight these are in a few bullet points. The

Ron's Response:

It is easy to be critical during simulator training because of the complexity of our processes and the fact there is so much going on. Remember to acknowledge when something is noticed or d

Ron's Response:

Depending on the complexity of your process it can be impossible to write a procedure of every upset. If this was accomplished, could you find the right one in time. Anot