What is Process Safety Management? This article outlines the fundamental principles of PSM, key aspects of the pre-startup safety review, and how key asset registers can improve your process safety. Using PSM effectively in your business is a critical aspect of process safety. Listed below are the steps you should take to implement PSM into your business. To get started, read the article! Then, download a copy of this free guide to Process Safety Management.
Process safety management
The main components of process safety management include the establishment of a process hazard assessment team (PHA). The main goal of PHA is to determine which hazards are the most hazardous and how existing controls can minimize these risks. After this analysis, the team may recommend corrective actions that will minimize the risks. Process safety management is vital for any company and should be implemented from the beginning of a project. To help with PHA, an organization should keep a record of every event and report it to the safety committee.
The first requirements for PSM were established by OSHA in 1992, following several chemical disasters. OSHA has updated these requirements several times in the last two decades, so companies with HHC processes should stay on top of the changes. There are fourteen elements that an OSHA inspector will be looking for in a PSM program. Here are a few examples of what these elements will look like. If you have a company that uses chemical products, PSM will help you minimize the risks and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
An MOC procedure must clearly describe the process, as MOC can affect almost every element of PSM. For example, if a pump is changed, the operating procedure, training, mechanical integrity, emergency response, and pre-startup safety review may need to be updated. Consequently, the process safety management program must also take account of the training of employees and contractors. The training should be documented as well. Ultimately, it will help your organization prevent disasters and protect the health of your employees and the general public.
Another aspect of PSM that is critical to the success of the process safety management program is the need to understand the interdependencies among the different elements. Process safety management begins with an understanding of these interdependencies. A process may be an activity or series of events. By defining each element and its interdependencies, it becomes easier to develop a process safety plan. This is crucial because the failure to identify a risk in a process may result in a catastrophic outcome.
Principles of PSM
Generally speaking, process safety is about eliminating or reducing hazards. Principles of process safety are established in consensus standards developed by professional organizations. Many of these practices have now become law. Before OSHA and EPA regulations, companies have recognized financial benefits of following these practices. In fact, process safety is a growing field, with more than 10,000 companies adopting the principles. If you’re a process owner, consider becoming a member of a professional organization to further advance the principles of process safety and quality.
Some fundamental process safety principles are outlined below:
A PSM program should address all aspects of a facility’s operations, with a focus on preventing catastrophic accidents. The Center for Chemical Process Safety provides guidance on what constitutes a PSM event. For instance, an acute release of a chemical must occur over a short period of time to be considered a PSM event. In addition, PSM programs must also focus on preventing chemical accidents, which are the most costly.
Students should consider attending a course on process safety management to gain an understanding of the fundamentals. Regardless of industry, process safety training should give them a basic understanding of the key principles of process safety management. Courses typically focus on understanding process hazards, controlling risks, and recognizing critical safety requirements. They will also provide a road map for implementation. By applying this knowledge, they will be well prepared to address the most pressing safety issues in their own workplaces.
Fundamentals of Process Safety is a practical, hands-on course that blends theory and practical activities. Participants are encouraged to evaluate their learning through an extensive course assessment. The course incorporates the six functional safety areas of the IChemE’s process safety framework, including knowledge and competence, engineering and design, systems and procedures, assurance, human factors, and culture. There are many specialized courses out there based on this framework.
Pre-startup safety review
A Pre-startup safety review is an evaluation of a new or modified processing plant prior to startup. Its primary purpose is to ensure that installations meet the original design and to identify potential hazards that occurred during the detailed engineering phase. A pre-startup safety review should also include training for operators and personnel. Process hazard analysis, a process-based analytical tool, should be performed to identify potential hazards related to a specific chemical release or spill.
The PSSR Team Leader should select and assign the appropriate members. They should schedule meetings and document all findings. In addition to reviewing the safety and health aspects of the process, the PSSR Team should document any action items and questions that are identified. A pre-startup safety review should also include the use of a standard checklist that identifies critical items and process hazards. It should also take past PSM compliance audit findings into consideration when making recommendations.
Depending on the process and technology involved, a PSSR should include process safety, environmental concerns, personnel safety, and quality. In addition, a PSSR should be tailored to the specifics of the process and the company’s needs. It is important to understand the differences between the two types of PSSRs and their benefits and disadvantages. If you are looking for a PSSR that includes all of these elements, make sure to contact a certified process safety professional and ask for assistance.
Key asset registers
There are several ways to create and maintain a key asset register, including through published standards. But the current process is complex and error-prone. A key asset register framework is a more efficient approach to asset management. It incorporates an asset information management system (AIM) and works in tandem with published standards to provide a consistent and reliable approach. Here are a few key elements that make an asset register successful. Read on to learn more.
An asset register is a list of all equipment in a company, including its relative condition. These records can be fed into field asset management software to create an effective maintenance schedule. By visualizing this data, managers can make better planning decisions and avoid missing jobs. Additionally, a good asset register helps companies comply with SFG20 requirements and ISO standards. But what is an asset register, exactly? This article explains what it is and how it can benefit you.
The first step is to compare the current documentation to the key asset register. This way, you can identify the gaps and the boundaries of the problem. For instance, building an asset register using out-of-date drawings would be useless. You can also use Desktop Asset Verification to collect missing data from the asset register on site. For this, you can use a representative sample of equipment, such as a few P&IDs or a whole system or skid.
Another key asset register is the HSE risk register. It contains information on HSE risk, critical spare parts, safety critical elements, and performance standards. Using a cloud recording tool like Synergi Life, it can track PSM system incidents, performance forecasting, reliability engineering, and barrier-based incident investigation. With the help of a professional asset register, a facility can monitor and manage all of its equipment and improve the overall performance.
Follow-up procedures after a PSM incident
After a PSM incident, the following follow-up procedures should be carried out: a thorough investigation into the cause of the PSM is conducted; the appropriate action is taken; recommendations are documented and timely resolution is ensured; the relevant document is retained; and any corrective actions taken are clearly communicated to affected employees. The PSM standard applies to contractors who perform maintenance, turnaround or major renovation work adjacent to the covered processes.
The PSM rule requires employers to develop a site-specific PSM Plan, incorporating employee participation. In addition, employers must develop written operating procedures that address each operating phase, process limits, and safety systems. The procedures must be easily accessible by the affected employees; they must be updated regularly, certified annually, and must address special circumstances. For example, a PSM rule requires contractors to develop written operating procedures for processes that use hazardous chemicals.
