Critical analysis of the interviews in the investigation of accidents in the O&G area – case study of 19 accidents in Brazil

Abstract: Since the beginnings of the O&G Industry, with the first onshore wells in Pennsylvania, in 1859, and the first offshore wells in California, in 1897, the occurrence of accidents has been frequent and caused injuries and losses. Dealing with something that is unknown, partially or completely - an oil reservoir - is something dangerous in itself, and this is associated with the handling of heavy tools, the risk of explosiveness, the collapse of the well and many other accidental scenarios. It is clear, therefore, that understanding the dynamics of an accident is more than important, it is necessary and, as already stated by several Government Regulators around the world, mandatory for the entire O&G chain. But despite all this history since the 19th century, as well as the obligation imposed by Regulators, there is still no methodological and institutional tradition for analyzing and investigating accidents in the O&G Industry, as there is internationally for Civil Aviation and Nuclear Energy. Particularly in the interviewing of workers, whether injured or not, different forms, approaches and treatments are observed, which makes it difficult to implement the best ways of obtaining information to understand the facts. In this research, based on 19 non-fatal accidents that occurred between 2012 and 2022 in Brazil, a critical analysis of the interview process was developed, studying the documents and reports, as well as re-interviewing the interviewees, but not in relation to the accident , but in relation to how they were treated and conducted during the interview. The perceptions and findings of the research demonstrated that there is significant room for improvement, as there are inconsistencies, mistakes and flaws in the accident investigation interview process.

Keywords: Accident, Interview, Safety, Human Factors

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1004884

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