So, what exactly is Process Safety Management (PSM)?
“The application of management principles and systems to the identification, understanding and control of process hazards in order to prevent process related injuries and accidents”.
You might have seen this image below which outlines the pillars and elements based on the CCPS Risk Based Process Safety framework?
A robust and fully effective PSM Model addresses the management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals (HHC), integrates technology, operating procedures and standard management procedures/ practices.
The primary objectives of an Organisation’s PSM Model are to ensure adequate protection of:
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Workforce.
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Contractors; and
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Visitors.
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Inner layer (core) – containing process safety information/ hazard analysis subsequent to hazard identification and assessment.
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Secondary layer – develop and implement layers of protection (e.g., ERP, Procedures, PSSR, Training, SCE, SSOW)
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Outer layer – sustain and improve PSM efforts (e.g., MoC, HAZOP etc)
As I mentioned at the beginning…a quick, short primer. More to follow in future articles.