209: Personnel Hiring Issue
Definition/Typical Issues
Was the employee screening program ineffective? Did it fail to correctly identify requirements for particular jobs? Did it fail to screen employees against those requirements?
Note 1: This node addresses the hiring of personnel into new positions. This includes hiring from outside the current organization or reassignment of personnel to new positions within the organization. Assignment of existing or qualified workers to job tasks (i.e., selection of a laborer from a preapproved pool of individuals) is covered by the Personnel Selection/Assignment/Scheduling Issue (#190) node.
Examples
Example 1
- An operator made a mistake operating a process on a color-coded distributed control system because he was color blind. As a result, raw materials were wasted and production was delayed. Although a screening program existed for the job, it did not specify the ability to differentiate colors as a requirement.
Example 2
- A maintenance technician made an error in repairing a mill. The technician could not read the procedure that he was supposed to use. As a result, the startup of the machine was delayed. No one knew the operator could not read.
Typical Recommendations
- Identify critical personnel capability requirements for each job position.
- Communicate all required job tasks to potential employees before extending employment opportunities.
- Verify that job interviewees can perform job-related tasks.
- Consider requiring the passing of a physical exam/drug-screen test as a condition of employment.
- Have prospective employees perform a test that simulates the actual work as closely as possible to determine whether they can perform the work.
- Consider individual and organizational competency in succession planning.
- Extend succession planning efforts to technical and staff functions, including process safety professionals.
- Develop and maintain a list of prescreened contractor personnel.
Cross-References
| Version 10 Element(s) | |
|---|---|
| Node ID | Node Name |
| 66 | Employee Screening/Hiring LTA |
| RBPS Element(s) |
|---|
| Process Safety Competency |
| Contractor Management |
| Maritime Element(s) | |
|---|---|
| Node ID | Node Name |
| 81 | Human Resource Issue |
| 82 | Employee Screening/Hiring Issue |