Acmena conducts a human factors assessment of the Yarrawonga Weir spillway operations and maintenance program.

Challenge

To provide a human factors risk assessment of the Yarrawonga Weir’s spillway operations and maintenance program, focusing on the effects of escalating flood conditions on human performance during emergencies. The Yarrawonga is the largest of 14 weirs on the Murray River and plays a vital role in flood mitigation for the surrounding areas, protecting communities and safeguarding critical infrastructure.

Approach

Acmena conducted several on-site surveys, working closely with the client’s operations staff and safety managers. A series of HF assessments were undertaken to identify system improvements that impact on human performance in key areas including work systems and environment, human reliability, training, competency and workload. Risk-based recommendations were underpinned with a series of hazard workshops. In doing so Acmena determined how normal operating procedures would adapt during flood emergencies and the post flood recovery phase.

Outcomes

Acmena successfully delivered a series of evidence-based, actionable recommendations within GMW’s nine-week timeframe that will improve operations and maintenance processes at the facility. By focusing on GMW’s requirements and understanding its management system, Acmena delivered its findings in a way that could be easily incorporated into the client’s existing risk management strategy and regulator-mandated risk assessments, enhancing overall preparedness and response to flood emergencies.

Profile

• Cost: Confidential
• Start: 2024
• Finish: 2024
• Client: Goulburn-Murray Water
• Objective: Part of Yarrawonga Weir’s dam safety management, the HF assessment provided an evaluation of the human factors contribution to risk as part of GMW’s five-yearly Portfolio Risk Assessment in accordance with Dams Safety Regulations in NSW and VIC.
• Services provided: Human Factors

Related Content: Case Study – Yarrawonga Spillway Human Factors Assessment