Operating Procedures: A Story (Part 2)
Fred’s First Comments
We continue our story to do with writing new operating procedures as part of a process safety program. In the first part of the story we met two people: Fred and John. Fred is a retired unit supervisor who has been brought back to the refinery as a subject matter expert (SME). John is a consultant who has been hired to write a new operating manual.
John
While Fred was describing what he did at the start of each shift, John was taking notes. He realized that Fred’s statements were not, strictly speaking, part of the operating procedures. But Fred’s observations and insights were invaluable. They could provide truly useful guidance to other workers, supervisors, superintendents and managers.
Therefore, after the meeting with Fred had concluded, and while Fred was enjoying a cup of coffee with his old colleagues, John wrote up the notes as a first draft of a Supervisor’s Guide.
Fred’s First Comments
The next day he showed the notes to Fred, and asked for comments. Fred, like most people in his position and with his background, had some difficulty writing procedures and other technical documents. However, he had no problem at all with critiquing other people’s work. He enjoyed going through the notes and expanding on what he had said the previous day.
John concluded the meeting by asking if he and Fred could tour the alkylation unit and make a video to match the written document.
This was no small ask. Issues for Fred’s managers to consider included:
Would Fred be willing to be recorded? Most people do not mind, but that is not always the case.
Even if the video were published only on the company’s intranet, it could ‘escape’ and wind up on YouTube.
If the video omitted an action that a supervisor should take, or if there was an error in Fred’s statements, could the company be liable in the event of an accident?
The video might reveal propriety information. It may also show areas of poor housekeeping.
John said that he would ask management for permission to take pictures and to make videos. He recognized that the decision may take some time, particularly if involved the legal department.
. . . to be continued.
