What You'll Learn

SCTA is a key methodology for improving human performance and reducing the risk of human error in safety, quality, and revenue-critical tasks. Our course provides you with:

Understanding of Core SCTA Elements:

  • Task Analysis: Create clear maps of how tasks are or should be performed
  • Failure Analysis: Identify potential human failures that could lead to unwanted consequences Performance Influencing Factors
  • (PIF): Analyse and improve system elements that affect human reliability

    • Practical Implementation Skills:

  • Facilitate SCTA projects, workshops & walkthroughs
  • Apply task analysis best practices
  • Understand and implement failure and PIF analysis
  • Develop SCTA outputs, including reports and procedures
  • Create effective competence standards

    • Regulatory Knowledge:

  • Meet UK COMAH regulations requirements for upper and lower tier sites
  • Address human factors aspects of major accident hazards for Major Hazard Installations (MHI)
  • Align with industry best practices for offshore safety reports in the UK
  • Align with relevant good practice internationally to address Human HAZOPS and human performance risks identified in HAZOP’s, PHA’s, Bow-Ties, etc.

    • Course Structure

    Core Modules

    • 1. Human Factors for Process Safety & Major Hazard Installations (MHI)

    • 2. Overview of Safety Critical Task Analysis

    • 3. Human Failure and Non-compliance

    • 4. Foundations of Task Analysis

    • 5. Task Analysis: Industry Case Study Workshop

    • 6. Failure and PIF Analysis, including Foundations, Demonstrations, and Workshop

    • 7. Practical Advice on Running Workshops & Walkthroughs

    • 8. SCTA Outputs and Impact

    Bonus material

    We have three great talks to complement the core course materials.

    • Critical task identification and prioritisation

      Jamie Henderson talks us through how to identify critical tasks and how to prioritise these tasks at site. This is essential for building a programme of SCTA work - a systematic process for concentrating on the right things and managing the SCTA workload.

    • Incident investigation and quantification

      David Embrey extends the SCTA tools and methodology that we have been using to show how extensions of this include looking at incidents retrospectively and quantifying factors that lead to error.

    • Embedding Human Factors and SCTA in practice

      Richard Marshall talks about his experience of embedding Human Factors and SCTA at site, when he was the human factors lead at the UK's largest refinery. Including how to manage organisational issues and becoming fully compliant.

    Learning Experience

    Our distance learning experience combines comprehensive digital resources with personalised support to ensure effective learning. The course delivers over 20 hours of focused content through engaging video talks, interactive quizzes, and practical workshops. You'll work through a detailed road tanker offloading case study that demonstrates the real-world application of SCTA principles. Throughout the course, you'll have full access to the SHERPA software platform, a powerful tool that helps teach SCTA concepts and demonstrates industry best practices.

    Expert Support:
  • Experienced trainer guidance
  • Detailed feedback on assignments
  • Access to SCTA Craft Club community
  • Post-course implementation support

    • "Due to the nature of my job it is hard to block out time to attend the 'live' scheduled sessions over a week or longer, so I opted for the self-directed course. It felt like I had the best of both worlds as I could do the course in my own time, get detailed individual feedback, and the pre-recorded class webinars made me feel part of the group discussion. I found it useful to book a coaching call part way through the course which is included in the course support – it was good to be able to talk about different approaches to failure and PIF analysis with the instructor."

    — Regional Manager, responsible for fuel pipeline networks and COMAH Terminal

    Download your SCTA Course Info Pack

    Two Learning Formats

    Intensive Course (1 Week)

  • 6 live webinars
  • Daily structured learning
  • Direct interaction with trainers
  • Group discussions and feedback
  • Approximately 3 hours work between sessions

    Best for focused, dedicated learning time.

    Self-Directed Program (2 Months)

  • Recorded webinar access
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Enhanced 1-to-1 feedback
  • Community drop-in sessions
  • Work at your own pace

    • Best for busy professionals.
    Download Your SCTA Course Info Pack

    Industry Application

    "Flexible modular course focussed on HF & SCTA with use of practical examples to enable HSE professionals, operations and engineers get onto the first rung of the SCTA ladder to improve task-based procedures and competence assurance - a must for anyone working on a MAH site."

    — HSE Manager

    This course is particularly valuable for:


    Sectors:

  • Process industries (onshore and offshore)
  • Oil and gas
  • Manufacturing
  • Nuclear power
  • Chemical processing
  • Major Hazard Installations (MHI)
  • Metals and Mining
  • Pharma Manufacturing
  • Defence
  • Biological Containment Labs


    • Roles:

  • HSE Managers
  • Process Safety Engineers
  • Human Factors Specialists
  • Operations Managers
  • Quality Leaders
  • Regulatory Compliance Officers

    • The SCTA Community

    Join our thriving SCTA Craft Club - a community of practice where you can:

  • Attend regular knowledge-sharing sessions
  • Access additional resources and tools
  • Connect with fellow practitioners
  • Get expert advice on implementation
  • Stay updated on industry best practices

    • Course Recognition

  • Certified by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF)
  • Recognised by major industry regulators
  • Aligned with UK COMAH, UK Offshore, and MOM MHI Human Factors requirements
  • Trusted by leading global organisations
    • Download Your SCTA Course Info Pack

    Download Your SCTA Course Introduction Pack

    Ready to take the next step in mastering Human Factors Safety Critical Task Analysis (SCTA)? Complete the form to receive our comprehensive course introduction pack.

    We’ve designed this so you have everything you need to know to decide whether the course is for you.

    Ready to Begin?

    If you have a course enquiry or would like to proceed with booking please use our Course Enquiry & Booking Form using the botton below.

    Reviews

    5 star rating

    Great course with excellent content

    Seamus Brennan

    Liked the pace of the course and the way the modules were presented. the lectures were a good length and kept the learner's interest. The lecturers came ac...

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    Liked the pace of the course and the way the modules were presented. the lectures were a good length and kept the learner's interest. The lecturers came across as experts in their field

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    5 star rating

    Very good course

    Wayne Dixon

    This course is an interactive start into Human factors, if you are interested then this is the course for you

    This course is an interactive start into Human factors, if you are interested then this is the course for you

    Read Less
    3 star rating

    Great overview of software

    Dominic Furniss

    If you want software for HF then this course is ideal.

    If you want software for HF then this course is ideal.

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    4 star rating

    Very good course

    Chris Shanklin

    Highlight for me was converting a procedure to HTA format. As the course continued I found that I required more time to complete the workshops

    Highlight for me was converting a procedure to HTA format. As the course continued I found that I required more time to complete the workshops

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    4 star rating

    Good, intensive course! It got easier the more familiar I...

    Viv Jones

    I'd recommend this to my peers in industry, if they're having HF difficulties!

    I'd recommend this to my peers in industry, if they're having HF difficulties!

    Read Less
    4 star rating

    Good, intensive course! It got easier the more familiar I...

    Viv Jones

    I'd recommend this to my peers in industry, if they're having HF difficulties!

    I'd recommend this to my peers in industry, if they're having HF difficulties!

    Read Less
    4 star rating

    Good course structure, totally relevant for my current ro...

    Michael Reilly

    Good content, specifically with regards to the procedure format and competency management

    Good content, specifically with regards to the procedure format and competency management

    Read Less
    5 star rating

    Great course with direct impact in the workplace

    Stuart Bowden

    I enjoyed the blended learning styles and the webinars were well facilitated allowing delegates to participate. I'd recommend this course to all HS&E ad...

    Read More

    I enjoyed the blended learning styles and the webinars were well facilitated allowing delegates to participate. I'd recommend this course to all HS&E advisors and managers working in hazardous industries.

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    5 star rating

    Insightful course with hands-on exercise to demonstrate t...

    Mei May Tan

    Good introductory course for beginner of SCTA and coupled with the useful software which makes the whole process a lot easier.

    Good introductory course for beginner of SCTA and coupled with the useful software which makes the whole process a lot easier.

    Read Less