SIMOPS — Simultaneous Operations — Where Risk Multiplies, Not Adds.
SIMOPS refers to two or more potentially conflicting activities happening concurrently in the same area, where one activity can introduce hazards to another.
Guidance from OSHA, ISO 45001, American Petroleum Institute, and International Association of Oil & Gas Producers emphasizes managing interface risks — not just task-level hazards.
Why SIMOPS Is Dangerous
Risk does not add — it multiplies.
Hot work = High risk
Confined space entry = High risk
Hot work + confined space under SIMOPS = Critical risk
Because now you introduce:
• Ignition sources
• Atmospheric changes
• Blocked access/egress
• Divided supervision
• Permit conflicts
Common SIMOPS Scenarios We See in the Field
• Crane lifting over active work crews
• Welding near live hydrocarbon lines
• Pressure testing adjacent to scaffolding
• Multiple contractors sharing the same zone
• Shutdown activities with peak manpower density
These are not rare situations — they are daily realities.
The Biggest SIMOPS Failure: ЁЯУЫ
- Approving permits in isolation.
- Permit to Work (PTW) controls individual task risk.
- SIMOPS controls interaction risk between tasks.
If these systems are not integrated, you create blind spots.
What Strong SIMOPS Management Looks Like:
✔ SIMOPS risk assessment during planning phase
✔ A live SIMOPS matrix (Activity A vs Activity B compatibility)
✔ Daily coordination meetings
✔ Cross-referenced permits
✔ Area Authority approval
✔ Clear radio communication channels
✔ Emergency route protection
Most importantly — sequencing.
If two high-risk activities must happen together, one of them should probably wait.
Leading Indicators HSE Teams Should Monitor
• Permit conflicts identified before execution
• SIMOPS deviation reports
• Work trends during overlapping work
• Manpower density in the work area
• Unauthorized work observations
SIMOPS management is not paperwork.
It is interface leadership.
As HSE professionals, we must always ask:
“What else is happening in this area?”
Because major accidents are often born in the gaps between activities — not within them.
