A methodology for sharing experiences in incident management

This article presents a methodology for the representation and sharing of experience gained during the management of incident and crisis situations. This methodology, which was initially developed for transportation accidents (1), is founded on the association of engineering and social sciences for the consideration of technical, human and organisational aspects of incident and crisis management. Based on interviews of people who have participated in the management of the situation at different hierarchical levels, this method formalises the development of the accident as a series of decision cycles: the particles of experience. The case study that is presented in this article occurred in a chemical plant, during the loading of a reactor with a dangerous chemical product. This accident caused no casualties but its management has induced an interesting experience in the management of incidents which could produce harmful consequences.