title: Application of SHERPA to identify and prevent human errors in control units of petrochemical industry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studying human errors as a risk factor in the occurrence of accidents is necessary. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify, predict and control human errors in industrial control units.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a case study carried out using SHERPA in the first unit of Zagros Methanol of Asalooyeh, Iran, and its subunits. To collect the required data, various methods were used: observing, interviewing processing specialists and control unit operators, and studying technical documents and records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 222 human errors were identified in various occupational tasks. This study showed that 48.62% of them were action errors, 31.97% were checking errors, 6.75% were retrieval errors, 11.70% were communication errors and 0.90% were selection errors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It can be inferred that this method is appropriate for different industries, and it is useful for identifying human errors leading to hazardous accidents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghasemi
authors.forename: Jebrail
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nasleseraji
authors.forename: Sedigheh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hoseinabadi
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zare
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002617:Chemical Industry; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D016272:Occupational Health; D010578:Petroleum; D012307:Risk Factors; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D010578:Petroleum