Deficient, defective or faulty maintenance has often proved to be a contributory cause of major accidents. Major accident potential means that safety work in general and the maintenance of safety-critical equipment in particular have been the focus of much attention in the petroleum industry.
The study collates information on the extent to which maintenance – i.e. the deficient, defective or faulty performance of maintenance – is a cause of incidents.
The objective of the study was to strengthen knowledge about maintenance as a cause of incidents. Knowledge of the causes of hazard and accident situations is an important factor in continuous improvement and the identification of uncertainty and risk, and will therefore promote an increase in safety. It will contribute to the improved follow-up of major accident risk associated with maintenance.
The study shows that the operating companies have few systems and routines in place to investigate the relationship between maintenance and hazard and accident situations.