Human Barrier Design and Lifecycle: A Cognitive Ergonomics Approach and Path Forward

This title presents a new and comprehensive prototype design and lifecycle model specific to human dependent barriers and safety critical tasks. Designed to supplement current practice, the comprehensive model is fully underpinned by cognitive ergonomics and cognition science.

Tom Shephard has 42 years of experience in global operating, engineering design, and consulting companies in the hydrocarbon and related technology industries. Tom designed and delivered safety solutions and studies to world-class global projects in O&G, refining, petrochemicals, and pipelines. Early roles included corporate technology and project leadership, HMI and safety system design and delivery, and technology and project consulting. Career spanning roles and efforts included functional safety and developing new corporate and project technology standards, tools, and project execution methods. Later roles shifted to process safety, safety and reliability studies, and department management for a world-class technical safety department. Tom’s efforts to integrate cognitive ergonomics and cognitive science into human barrier design began with the Deepwater Horizon accident. He brings a seasoned practitioner’s mindset, persistence, passion, and a unique blend of multi-discipline competencies to that effort.