CATCH hosted the first Human Factors Network of the year on 2^nd February.  Katie Hedges, Director of Membership, introduced the group’s new chair, Chris Marron,  Senior Human Factors Specialist at Yara Europe.  Chris welcomed Prof. Fiona Earle, Director, The Centre for Human Factors at the University of Hull.

Fiona introduced the topic of Fatigue and the range of work she has undertaken in this field.  Human Factors is an incredibly broad discipline covering many aspects related to human behaviour, our decision making processes and how to ensure we operate in the workplace safely and understanding how our workload affects our fatigue levels.  The science around fatigue is still developing and remains complex.  It is important to understand how fatigue impacts on health and safety risks and safety outcomes.

Our in person only workshop was very interactive and delegates had the opportunity to learn and share opinions and help shape their understanding of fatigue management.  The definition of fatigue is more than just feeling tired, it includes impaired processing and as fatigue levels increase it can be characterised by an aversion to further effort.  These different layers or aspects of fatigue can all be tested and measured in a scientific way to identify risks and find ways to support teams and individuals’ performance.  The deterioration over time due to lack of sleep can build up fatigue to more critical levels.

After a break, small groups completed a task to explore different industry job roles and capture all the potential impacts that could affect the levels of fatigue experienced by employees in that role.  The group recognised the impact of responsibility experienced by employees on shift work as they arrive on shift and inherit whatever is happening during shift handover.  The impact of balancing business needs with the team working on that shift and understanding how the time of day can sometimes be an important factor.

In summary, Fiona explained that on the surface, fatigue can be incorrectly characterised as just ‘tiredness’ and organisations rightly focus on managing shift patterns to best support shift workers sleep habits and recovery periods.  During the workshop Fiona was able to explore a wider range of factors that impact fatigue, including emotional fatigue, and advised that regular debriefing sessions can reduce levels of emotional fatigue in teams performing intensely focused tasks for extended periods, often away from home life.  Where organisations explore all potential causes of fatigue and review the effectiveness of control measures, it is possible to limit and prevent fatigue from reaching unmanageable levels.

The next CATCH Human Factors network will be held on 14 June.

Do you have something to say about skills?

We know that for you, as a local employer, that sourcing, developing, and retaining people with the right skills is a serious, ongoing challenge. It’s time for that to change. Through the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), a Department for Education programme, you have the chance to help shape the future skills profile of our Greater Lincolnshire & Rutland. Will you do your bit?

We are partnering with the Local Skills Improvement Plan delivery body, the FSB, to gain your input on this most critical issue. Together, we are consulting with employers like you across the area to really get under the skin of your current experiences and what skills you really want and need for your firms and your people to really thrive. Please make sure that view experiences and views are collected in the research so that our industry is well represented in the research report.

Please take part in the online survey – and be sure to share the link with your network. We need many, many responses to come in before 28 February 2023. Do not miss this chance to have your say.

https://habit5research.questionpro.com/lsip2023fsb?custom2=CatchUK

Click here to find out more about the Greater Lincolnshire & Rutland LSIP, including upcoming employer focus groups in Scunthorpe, Spalding, Skegness, Stamford, Woodhall Spa and other ways to get involved.

CATCH and SIAS have today announced an exciting new partnership to support apprenticeships in the Humber region.  

James McIntosh Chief Operating Officer from CATCH said: “I am delighted for us to be working in partnership with SIAS and recommending their EPA services to our group of employers.

“Since meeting Steve Smith and hearing his vision and strategy for how SIAS operates, there are a number of synergies between our organisations that will allow us to offer a bespoke end-to-end process operations and engineering maintenance apprenticeship tailored to meet our industry requirements.

“We are pleased to have found an end point assessment organisation that are as keen as we are to engage with employers and support their learners throughout their journey.”

Steve Smith, Managing director of SIAS said: “We are honoured that CATCH has selected SIAS to recommend to their employers as their EPAO of choice for the apprenticeship standards which they currently deliver across manufacturing, process and maintenance engineering.

“CATCH are really leading the way across the Humber, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and beyond, in the delivery and development of critical future skills particularly within the STEM and Renewables space, their mission aligns closely with what drives SIAS forward as the leading EPAO for technical Science, Manufacturing and Engineering Apprenticeships.

“Add to that a world class training facility, a level of ambition, of energy, and a commitment to real partnerships and to delivering outstanding value to employers which matches our own – and it was clear from day one that there was an incredibly strong synergy between our two organisations.

“I’m excited about working closely with James and the whole team at CATCH to deliver a truly innovative and best in market end to end apprenticeship model, which will both delight employers, but also importantly will give apprentices the very best experience possible, and allow them to maximise their undoubted potential as they transition into meaningful careers.”

The partnership comes into effect immediately.

CATCH hosted the Major Hazards Group on Thursday 3 November.  The group was attended by over 30 in person and online delegates and is an integral part of the core networks delivered for CATCH membership services.

David Hughes welcomed delegates to the meeting and introduced the first guest speaker James Jenkins, Region Segment Manager – Onshore Oil & Gas & Energy Systems at DNV Services UK.  James gave a presentation about General Hydrogen Safety Awareness including Hydrogen Hazards.  James compared the properties of hydrogen in comparison with methane and other similar gases.  A number of videos demonstrated the effect on outflow, fire and explosion hazards of hydrogen showing tests at specialist facilities.  James spoke about the importance of safer design and hazard management when dealing with hydrogen, recognising that at low concentrations (below 15%) hydrogen behaves in a similar way to other hydrocarbons.

The next presentation topic was from IChemE Project: Lessons Learned Working Group given by Tony Tate, Process Safety Advisor with bp.  Tony detailed the IChemE approach to major hazards management which is a priority topic. A working group has set up a project with the aim to enhance the impact of IChemE lessons learned resources, turning good practice into common practice.  Tony is keen to hear feedback about the resources available and how the group access and use this information.

After a break, Lyn Dario, Partner, Environmental & Regulatory at Tyr provided a Health, Safety and Environmental legislation and regulatory update.  Lyn provided valuable expert insights on recent environmental and HSE cases and enforcement trends.  The group discussed some of the challenges faced by the competent authority in recruiting and retaining resources.  For more information and support please contact Lyn.Dario@tyrlaw.co.uk

The next Major Hazards Group will be held on 16 March 2023 at CATCH.

CATCH core network groups are for members companies, for more information please contact katie.hedges@catchuk.org

CATCH Skills have recently delivered a bespoke Confined Space Emergency Response course for Prax!

The main focus was to create real life scenarios of a rescue using a live casualty. This was to practise initiating a rescue, the responsibilities of a team leader/ member and ensuring clear communication.

We included additional elements of first aid including, emergency resuscitation, casualty handling and oxygen administration.

Lee Christie, Refinery Fire and Safety Leader said “The Confined Space Emergency Rescue Training was really good, the scenarios were realistic and it was really beneficial have live casualty rescues, the facility provided us with the challenges we needed to test our skills and experience.”

Holly Goodwin, CATCH Skills Account Manager added “It has been great supporting Prax with their Confined Space Emergency Rescue Training package. Tailoring the course to meet their site requirements ensures the delegates have a greater understanding and relatable experience within the scenarios. Utilising our purpose built Confined Space Rig for training means we can create real life scenarios, without the real industry risks. This provides individuals with the opportunity to practice and build confidence within a contained environment, should they ever need to perform these for real. In addition to the practical elements, we implemented exactly the same procedures they would follow at their site, ensuring our trainers can support the individuals every step of the way.”

For more information on the bespoke courses CATCH Skills can offer, please contact the team on 01469 552852 or email info@catchuk.org

CATCH Skills are ECITB accredited to deliver MJI10, MJI18 and MJI19.

The courses can be taught individually or as a full package here at CATCH or on your site.

Delegates will gain the skills required to dismantle, inspect, prepare, assemble and tighten flanged and clamp connector pipe joints and bolted connections using:

• Hand Torque Bolted Connection Techniques (MJI10)
• Hydraulic Torque Bolted Connection Equipment and
  Techniques (MJI19)
• Hydraulic Tensioning Connection and Equipment Techniques
  (MJI18)

For course dates and costs please contact the team on 01469 552852 or email info@catchuk.org

We are pleased to announce that Mark Sacker, Tricoya, Rob Tuplin, Woods at Lindsey Oil Refinery, Dafydd Williams ABP, Simon Rafferty, EFAB and Nick Booth Uniper have been appointed to the CATCH Board of Directors.

Mark Sacker commented-

I have spent most of my working career with Singleton Birch Group, starting in 1998.  I have observed CATCH develop over a quarter of a century from a chemical focused training organisation into a more diverse organisation with wider scope spanning process and energy industries.  I have been involved with chemical, process, and energy businesses during my career.

CATCH is a networking hub for the most advanced industrial organisations in the UK.  It is an enabler of collaboration to bring together the common agenda for sustainable business in the Humber Region, exemplified by the Humber Cluster Plan.  It is also a focus on turning the tide on the engineering and process skills gap.  My teenage son recently attended the introduction to industry training at CATCH, which he was thrilled with.

I have recently moved to be Managing Director of the World’s first acetylated wood chip operations at Saltend Chemical’s Park in Hull, Tricoya, co-located with similar cutting edge industrial businesses driving the sustainability agenda.  It is my pleasure to bring my extensive industrial experience from both the South and North Banks of the Humber to contribute to the great work of the CATCH board.  I hope to make a difference in driving this great organisation forward to even greater things!