153: Awkward/Inconvenient/Inaccessible Location of Control/Display/Alarm
Definition/Typical Issues
Were there problems related to the location of controls or displays? Were the controls or displays out of the normal work area? Were the controls/displays difficult or awkward to access? Did the locations of controls make them prone to inadvertent actuation?
Examples
Example 1
- A large control handle on a control panel stuck out beyond the edge of the panel when the pump was running. Someone walking past the panel accidentally bumped the switch and shut down the pump. This resulted in a process upset.
Example 2
- The speed control for a pump was located three floors below the normal operating area. As a result, operators ignored an out-of-tolerance condition because they did not want to go up and down the three flights of stairs.
Example 3
- The only open space on a control panel was near the floor. As a result, a new chart recorder was installed 6 inches above the floor. To read the display, the operators had to get down on their hands and knees. Sometimes the operators just looked at the display while standing and guessed at the readings.
Typical Recommendations
- Locate controls in convenient locations to encourage their proper use.
- Locate displays in convenient locations to encourage their use.
- Locate displays so that they can be read by the average person.
- Locate controls so that they can be easily operated by the average person.
- Locate controls so that they are not accidentally bumped.
Cross-References
| Version 10 Element(s) | |
|---|---|
| Node ID | Node Name |
| 144 | Location of Controls/Displays LTA |
| 145 | Conflicting Layout |
| Maritime Element(s) | |
|---|---|
| Node ID | Node Name |
| 167 | Control/Display/Alarm Integration/Arrangement Issue |
| 168 | Awkward/Inconvenient/Inaccessible Location of Control/Display/Alarm |
| 169 | Inconsistent/Mirrored Layout |