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Start by gathering the master color list, once this is compiled one will notice that there will be duplicates and this is inevitable. In order to address this, the opinions of the operators should be a priority. The colors should determine of there are abnormal states, or if there is a fault or alarm in the processes. The priorities should be in bold colors. The less important things can be determined by adding opacity or using pastels for easy recognition. In addition to this, it is important to remember that one in 10 men is color blind. This makes them have a hard time determining the red from green. These kind of limitations should be considered and included in the decision-making process. 

2. Symbols 

How will the operator know if an equipment is in a loop or manual mode? Does an image indicate it? Does the loop is represented by a picture of a hand, or does the manual is represented by an “M” enclosed in a circle? The Human Machine Interfaces encourages the process automation systems to use both color and symbols to communicate the right processes with the operators. It is also important to know that smart phone developers also use the same standards in communicating with operators resulting to huge success. 

3. Abbreviations 

The importance of right abbreviations are often times neglected. There will be times where someone’s shorthand writing brings confusions to other personnel. The conclusion drawn from series of abbreviations may bring opposite results to what was originally intended. For example, a personnel’s short hand writing may look like a bunch of typographical errors. With this in mind, like the colors, setting standards for using abbreviations is also essential because it will eliminate confusions to the users. 

In light of this, a design engineer can start with some of the confusing engineer units. Some of the default that are displayed may bring confusion. Best examples of these are pressure units displayed as psi or psig or gallons per minute displayed as GPM or gal. Once these are perfectly established, engineers should start working on other equipment such as tanks, pumps, boilers, chillers, etc. These equipment has working abbreviation that can be helpful in operators to make the processes more efficient. Abbreviation are also used in raw components, facilities, locations, finished raw materials, and utilities. It is recommended to have a comprehensive list of abbreviations that are used by personnel or operators in a company. This will help in preserving the consistency of standardized set of rules in operations. 

4. Security levels 

The personnel in any company are always subject to change and replacements. The style guide should not only deal with tracking the personnel’s individual credentials and skill set. Security levels should be dealt with the same way the qualifications of staff are treated. It is of utmost importance that there should be differentiation on what the operators are trained to do compare to what the mechanic operators and engineering personnel is trained to solve.