When the combination changes risk
Two jobs may be acceptable separately but incompatible when they overlap in time, location or shared systems. SIMOPS focuses on those interactions, both within one company and between different organisations working at the same site.
It relates to coordination of business activities, but requires examination of the actual operating situation. Exchanging contractor documents does not demonstrate that an interface between equipment testing and nearby intervention has been identified and controlled.
Identify interfaces and incompatibilities
Planning should show affected areas and systems, timing, responsibilities and restrictions. An interface matrix can help distinguish prohibited combinations, conditional combinations and compatible activities, using criteria specific to the site rather than a generic colour code alone.
The matrix does not itself authorise work. Relevant changes require compatibility to be reassessed. An initially distant activity may affect another through traffic, shared utilities, access, emissions or availability of emergency response resources.
Authority and communication
IOGP and IMCA guidance emphasises joint planning, permit coordination and clear responsibilities. Participants need to know who can resolve conflicts, stop an activity and communicate modifications to everyone affected by a change in conditions.
For example, rescheduling a test may create overlap with people working in a connected area. The response should review the interaction before proceeding, rather than assume both permits remain valid because they were issued independently.
Maintain control during execution
Coordination must continue while interfaces remain, supported by visible information and communication of changes. Where planned conditions cannot be met, activities may need different timing, revised controls or suspension under the established procedure.
Close-out should confirm which jobs have finished and which restrictions remain. SIMOPS does not replace technical procedures or each organisation’s legal duties. Its value is managing risk created between activities and preventing a local decision from unintentionally invalidating another task’s safety conditions. The arrangements should cover the full period of overlap, including changes during commissioning or completion. Each affected party should have an accessible way to report an unexpected conflict and obtain a clear decision before the situation develops further.
