Process Safety vs Workplace Safety: Key Differences

Process safety and workplace safety are essential components of organizational safety management, each addressing distinct challenges. Process safety focuses on preventing catastrophic incidents, such as chemical spills or explosions, in industries like oil, gas, and chemicals. It emphasizes system integrity, hazard analysis, and proactive risk management to protect workers, the public, and the environment.

Workplace safety, on the other hand, prioritizes the daily protection of employees from hazards like slips, trips, and exposure to harmful substances. It involves proper training, personal protective equipment, and reactive measures to address workplace injuries and prevent reoccurrence.

While process safety often follows a proactive, systems-based approach guided by standards like OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM), workplace safety leans on day-to-day protocols and OSHA workplace safety regulations. Together, they form a comprehensive framework for ensuring a safe and sustainable working environment.