PRACTICAL STRESS TEST OF MOMAS MODEL

Practical stress test of MOMAS model



Practical Stress Test of MOMAS Model

MOMAS model is an effective contributor towards the prevention of accidents; however this can only be tested through a practical application of the model in real settings. Due to the fact that major accidents are relatively lesser in frequency, the observation periods associated with them is usually very lengthy. This is why the MOMAS model is performed through testing this model on very selective historic accidents that are relatively sever in nature. This is why the researcher has selected three major accidents, as described in chapter 2 as detailed case studies, namely:

The Macondo well blowout,

Explosion in the Texas City refinery, and

The incident of Exxon Valdez oil tanker

A detailed analysis of each of these three major accidents will assist in understanding the practical application of the MOMAS model, realizing whether or not the application of this model could have saved the accident from happening. For the primary objective to avoid any biasness that could follow from obtaining the information from any one post-accident, it is destined that all the information will be obtained at the time of the occurrence of the accidents itself. The discussion pertaining to the application of the MOMAS model will draw upon the direct and corresponding factors in the prevention of accidents using this model, as is described in the form of case studies in chapter 2. The main steps involved in the application of the model are given as a tabular representation in figures 3.1 and 3.2. The table 4.1 exhibits various aspects analyzed by the MOMAS model stress test:

Table 4.1: Aspects analyzed by MOMAS Stress Test

MOMAS Steps

Aspects Analyzed

1

Would the model be applied to the incident in a manner that the incident was priory known to have occurred?

2

Are there any systems of safety or missing barriers that could have been identified by the MOMAS model?

3

Prior to the application of the MOMAS, is there other safety mechanisms implemented which could not be successful in providing the required protection?

4

Was there an overall lacking of awareness on the spot due to which safety barriers were removed?

5

Did degradation compromise upon the efficiency of the safety barriers?

6

Was there a proper checking of safety barriers in terms of their regular maintenance and up-grading?

7 & 8

Were there any prior indications about the failure of safety barriers through a forecasted report or feedback mechanism?

MOMAS Stress Test application on Exxon Valdez Incident:

In analyzing the application of the MOMAS model to the prevention of the Exxon Valdez incident, it could be learnt that the model could have been applied to the incident to prevent the accidental paths from progressing at various instances of the incident itself. Detailed accounts of the aspects, as highlighted by the MOMAS model, are identified in table 4.2, while the steps numbered 5, 7 and 8 indicate probable corrective actions.

Table 4.2: MOMAS Stress Test Exxon Valdez Incident

MOMAS Steps

MOMAS Prevention Potential

1

The main reason behind the incident was a navigational error due to which ...