SIMOPS (Simultaneous Operations) Risk Control: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide for High-Risk Work Environments

SIMOPS—short for Simultaneous Operations—is one of those safety topics that quietly sits in the background until something goes wrong. Then, suddenly, everyone wants to know why risks weren’t properly managed.

If you work in construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, power plants, marine operations, logistics hubs, or shutdown/turnaround projects, SIMOPS is not optional—it’s a daily reality.

This guide breaks down SIMOPS Risk Control in plain language. No complicated theory. No academic fluff. Just practical, field-tested steps you can actually apply on site.

What Is SIMOPS (Simultaneous Operations)?

SIMOPS refers to two or more activities occurring simultaneously at the same location, where one activity can affect the safety of another.

In simple terms:

If multiple jobs are going on at once and they can interfere with each other, you are dealing with SIMOPS.

Common SIMOPS Scenarios

• Hot work is happening near the flammable chemical transfer

• Lifting operations above live work areas

• Confined space entry while nearby mechanical maintenance is ongoing

• Excavation near energized services

• Welding during production operations

• Construction activities inside an operating plant

Each task might be safe on its own. The danger appears when they happen together.

Why SIMOPS Risk Control Is Critical

Most major industrial accidents don’t happen because a single task was unsafe. They happen because activities overlap without proper coordination.

Key Reasons SIMOPS Requires Strong Risk Control

• Increased exposure to combined hazards

• Higher likelihood of human error

• Conflicting permits and controls

• Poor communication between teams

• Limited visibility of who is doing what

• Pressure to meet schedules during shutdowns or peak operations

Without structured SIMOPS controls, organizations rely on luck—and luck eventually runs out.

Industries Where SIMOPS Risk Is Highest

SIMOPS is not industry-specific, but some sectors face it daily.

High-Risk SIMOPS Environments

• Oil and Gas (upstream, midstream, downstream)

• Construction and infrastructure projects

• Manufacturing plants

• Power generation facilities

• Marine and offshore operations

• Warehousing and logistics hubs

• Mining operations

• Pharmaceutical plants

Read Also: Contractor Pre-Qualification and Safety Vetting: Step-By-Step Approach

If your site has multiple contractors, multiple permits, and multiple supervisors, SIMOPS risk exists.

Key Hazards Associated with SIMOPS

Understanding the hazards is the first step in controlling them.

Typical SIMOPS Hazards

• Fire and explosion risks

• Dropped objects

• Chemical exposure

• Electrical hazards

• Equipment collision

• Noise interference affecting communication

• Restricted emergency access

• Simultaneous energy releases

• Conflicting isolation points

SIMOPS doesn’t create new hazards—it magnifies existing ones.

The SIMOPS Risk Control Philosophy

SIMOPS risk control follows one simple principle:

If activities must happen together, their risks must be controlled together.

This means:

• Joint planning

• Shared risk assessments

• Clear authority

• Coordinated permits

• Continuous monitoring

No single team should manage SIMOPS alone.

Step-by-Step SIMOPS Risk Control Process

Let’s break this down into a practical, site-ready system.

Step 1: Identify SIMOPS Early (Planning Stage)

SIMOPS risk control starts before work begins, not during execution.

How to Identify SIMOPS

• Review the project schedule

• Identify overlapping activities

• Map work locations

• List all contractors and tasks

• Check permit requirements

Questions to Ask

• Will any tasks occur simultaneously in the same area?

• Can one task introduce hazards to another?

• Are shared systems involved (power, ventilation, access routes)?

If the answer is yes, SIMOPS applies.

Step 2: Appoint a SIMOPS Responsible Person

SIMOPS fails when everyone assumes someone else is in charge.

Who Should Manage SIMOPS?

• SIMOPS Coordinator

• Area Authority

• Construction Manager

• Operations Supervisor

• Shutdown Manager (for turnarounds)

This person must have:

• Authority to stop work

• Oversight of all activities

• Access to permits and schedules

• Strong communication skills

One site. One coordination point.

Step 3: Conduct a SIMOPS-Specific Risk Assessment

A standard Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is not enough for SIMOPS.

What Makes SIMOPS Risk Assessment Different?

• It evaluates the interaction between activities

• It considers cumulative risk

• It identifies conflicting controls

• It looks at shared spaces and systems

Recommended Tools

• SIMOPS Risk Assessment Matrix

• Combined JSA/JHA

• Bow-Tie Analysis (for high-risk operations)

• HAZID or HAZOP (for complex facilities)

The key is joint participation—all involved teams must be present.

Step 4: Prioritize and Sequence Activities

Not all activities should happen at the same time.

Risk-Based Task Sequencing

• Can one task be delayed?

• Can high-risk work be isolated in time?

• Can work be moved to another location?

• Can tasks be rescheduled to reduce overlap?

Typical High-Risk Activities to Isolate

• Hot work

• Lifting operations

• Confined space entry

• Pressure testing

• Live electrical work

• Chemical transfer

If tasks don’t need to overlap, don’t force them to.

Step 5: Implement SIMOPS Control Measures

This is where theory turns into action.

Common SIMOPS Risk Control Measures

Engineering Controls

• Physical barriers and segregation

• Temporary enclosures

• Dedicated access routes

• Ventilation systems

• Isolation of energy sources

Administrative Controls

• SIMOPS plans and procedures

• Permit-to-work coordination

• Toolbox talks

• Shift handover protocols

• Clear work boundaries

Procedural Controls

• Simultaneous work authorization

• Permit compatibility checks

• Stop-work authority

• Emergency response alignment

Controls must be compatible across activities.

Read Also: Certified Health and Safety Manager (CHSM) Certification: Benefits, Requirements & Career Guide

Step 6: Integrate SIMOPS into Permit-to-Work Systems

Permit systems often fail because they operate in silos.

SIMOPS Permit Integration Best Practices

• Cross-check all active permits

• Identify conflicting permit conditions

• Ensure permit issuers communicate

• Suspend incompatible permits

• Display permits in a central location

No permit should be approved without checking other active permits.

Step 7: Communication and Coordination

Poor communication is the silent killer in SIMOPS.

Effective SIMOPS Communication Tools

• Daily coordination meetings

• SIMOPS boards or dashboards

• Radio communication protocols

• Color-coded work zones

• Clear signage

Toolbox Talks for SIMOPS

Toolbox talks should cover:

• What other teams are doing nearby

• Shared hazards

• Emergency signals

• Who to contact if conditions change

Everyone on site should understand the big picture, not just their task.

Step 8: Manage Change in SIMOPS Environments

SIMOPS risk increases dramatically when conditions change.

Common SIMOPS Changes

• Weather deterioration

• Equipment failure

• Schedule changes

• Personnel changes

• Emergency work introduction

Management of Change (MOC) for SIMOPS

• Pause affected activities

• Reassess risks

• Update controls

• Communicate changes

• Re-authorize work

If the plan changes, the risk assessment must change too.

Step 9: Monitoring, Supervision, and Assurance

SIMOPS risk control is not “set and forget.”

Monitoring Methods

• Dedicated SIMOPS supervisors

• Routine site inspections

• Behavioral safety observations

• Permit compliance checks

Supervisors should focus on:

• Boundary violations

• Unauthorized work

• Control failures

• Fatigue and human factors

Step 10: Emergency Preparedness for SIMOPS

Emergencies during SIMOPS escalate faster.

SIMOPS Emergency Planning Essentials

• Unified emergency response plan

• Clear evacuation routes

• Assembly point coordination

• Emergency drills involving all teams

• Shared alarm systems

Everyone must know:

• What to do

• Where to go

• Who is in charge

Common SIMOPS Failures and How to Prevent Them

Failure 1: Poor Planning

Solution: Early SIMOPS identification and scheduling reviews.

Failure 2: Siloed Contractors

Solution: Joint risk assessments and shared coordination meetings.

Failure 3: Permit Conflicts

Solution: Centralized permit control and compatibility checks.

Failure 4: Weak Supervision

Solution: Appoint dedicated SIMOPS coordinators.

Failure 5: Ignoring Change

Solution: Strong Management of Change process.

SIMOPS Roles and Responsibilities

Clear roles prevent confusion.

Key SIMOPS Roles

• SIMOPS Coordinator: Overall control and coordination

• Area Authority: Site safety and permit approval

• Supervisors: Task execution and compliance

• Contractors: Follow controls and report changes

• HSE Team: Assurance, monitoring, and guidance

Everyone has a role—but authority must be clear.

SIMOPS Risk Control Checklist

Use this as a quick field reference:

• SIMOPS identified during planning

• Responsible person appointed

• Joint risk assessment completed

• Activities sequenced or justified

• Controls implemented and verified

• Permits cross-checked

• Communication established

• Emergency plans aligned

• Monitoring in place

• Change management active

If any box is unchecked, risk remains.

Benefits of Effective SIMOPS Risk Control

When done properly, SIMOPS control delivers more than safety.

Key Benefits

• Reduced accidents and incidents

• Improved contractor coordination

• Fewer work stoppages

• Better schedule reliability

• Stronger safety culture

• Regulatory compliance

• Protection of people, assets, and reputation

Good SIMOPS control is not a delay—it’s a productivity enabler.

Final Thoughts: SIMOPS Is About Control, Not Complexity

SIMOPS doesn’t need to be complicated.

The fundamentals are simple:

• Plan together

• Assess together

• Control together

• Communicate continuously

As a Health and Safety professional, your role is not to stop work—it’s to ensure that when work happens simultaneously, it happens safely.

If multiple activities must share the same space, then risk ownership must be shared, too.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does SIMOPS stand for?

SIMOPS means Simultaneous Operations—multiple activities occurring at the same time in the same area.

Is SIMOPS only for oil and gas?

No. SIMOPS applies to construction, manufacturing, logistics, power plants, mining, and many other industries.

Who is responsible for SIMOPS safety?

The organization appoints a SIMOPS Coordinator or Area Authority, but responsibility is shared across all teams.

Do SIMOPS always require a separate procedure?

High-risk environments should have a dedicated SIMOPS procedure or plan integrated into their safety management system.

Can SIMOPS be avoided?

Sometimes, yes, through better scheduling. When unavoidable, risks must be controlled collectively.