Process safety management

Know about Risk Based Process Safety Management

The Risk Based Process Safety Management System as per US OSHA CFR 1910.119 PSM rule and best practices is a comprehensive management system that proactively avoids incidents in Oil and Gas, Petroleum refining, Petrochemicals, Fertilizers, Pesticides, Organic, Inorganic and specialty chemicals, Pharmaceuticals plants that handle, store or process toxic or flammable chemicals. These chemicals, if released, could have a major impact on workers, surrounding communities, or facilities. The consequences of these incidents have significant life-safety, environmental, legal, regulatory and financial consequences. Risk Based Process Safety Management System integrates all aspects of risks in a facility and puts them under the control of a management system. By establishing a heightened awareness of the safety impacts of technology, personnel and the management, the system provides a dynamic environment for continual improvement. Prism consultants have hands on experience in implementing the Risk based Process Safety Management System in Fertilizer, Refineries, Pesticides and Petrochemical plants in India and abroad and in Process safety management training.

Elements of Risk Based Process Safety Management

The Risk based Process Safety Management System consists of 20 elements:

Top Management Involvement and Commitment
Institutionalizing Risk Based Approach
Process Safety Knowledge Management
Process Safety Competency
Employee participation
Process Safety Information
Process Hazard Analysis
Operating Procedures
Management of Change
Pre-Start up Safety Review
Safe work practices (Work permit Systems)
Training
Asset integrity
Contractor control
Process Incident Investigation
Emergency response planning
Measurement and Metrics
Compliance audits
Trade secrets
Management Review

Benefits of Risk Based Process Safety Management

You do not want to wait till an incident occurs. The major benefits of a risk based PSM system are:

Proactive management system, focuses on avoiding incidents.
Safer workplace for employees and reduces risk to communities
Compliance with current industry codes, standards and practices.
Reduces downtime and losses.
Continual improvement possible by utilizing performance metrics for measuring the performance of the system.
Total employee involvement in implementation of system makes the system sustainable.
In organizations that have implemented Occupational safety and health management systems and handle hazardous or toxic chemicals, implementation of the Process Safety Management System brings the process associated risks under control.