Guide To Process Safety Management In Oil And Gas

Process Safety Management (PSM) is important as improper storage, use, and manufacturing of hazardous chemicals in process industries can have serious impacts. Process industries such as oil and gas typically involve transforming raw materials into finished products through chemical, physical, or biological processes.

These complex processes are also high-risk in nature and hence demand strong and well-defined process safety management.

What is Process Safety Management?

Process safety management is a systematic approach that blends engineering and management skills required to address the safety measures for preventing accidents and near misses which probably can occur due to causes such as explosions, hazardous release, fires and explosions.

Major elements of PSM

Risk assessment and hazard identification

PSM is primarily initiated with an in-depth evaluation of existing processes and identifying the associated risks and hazards.

Process Design and engineering control

This involves implementing engineering controls that protect people against risks and hazards related to industrial processes.

Operating procedures

PSM focuses on developing the procedures that are vital in preventing accidents and effectively communicating them to related personnel.

Training

Well-trained employees form the backbone of an effective PSM. Employees will be given the training and skills to manage the complex processes safely.

Emergency Preparedness

Being prepared to deal with emergency scenarios is a crucial aspect of PSM. This includes communication strategies and response plans.

Importance of Process Safety Management

The significance of Process Safety Management lies in avoiding catastrophic accidents. Let us see some incidents which imply how small errors can lead to huge disasters.

Incident 1: Process water tank explosion in a Gulf Coast chemical process plant

This explosion in 2019 caused 17 fatalities. An explosive mixture formed in the tank that contained hydrocarbons. When the compressor was restarted after the maintenance activity, it released energy and caused an explosion.

Incident 2: An explosion in June 2020, at an agricultural chemical factory in Gujarat India killed one person and injured five. The explosion had occurred in a reaction vessel.

• By identifying potential risks and hazards, process industries can avoid major incidents and accidents, thus protecting lives and saving assets.
• Implementing PSM measures also helps in improving operational continuity. Mitigating the risks enables organizations to maintain a consistent production flow.
• PSM is legally required by many Government and non-government bodies such as OSHA in the USA, UK (COMAH), EU (Seveso II), Japan, Korea and more. With the right measures in place, you comply with the mentioned safety regulations.
• By establishing PSM, organizations demonstrate their commitment to the safety of their workforce.

How to Implement Process Safety Management?

A systematic approach is adopted to implement Process Safety Management. This involves 6 key steps:

• Creating a Process Safety Management Policy.
• Performing Process Hazard analysis.
• Implementing relevant safety measures.
• Developing standard operating procedures.
• Delivering training to employees.
• Carrying out regular audits and inspections.

Process safety management is crucial for any industry that involves hazardous materials. With effective PSM in place, you not only prevent accidents but also ensure consistent, reliable and efficient business operations.

Ensure safety workflow with Green World Group

Green World Group can strengthen your process safety management system with our expert team that can audit, develop and execute measures that ensure process safety at all levels of operation. Our consultancy services make it easy for organizations to identify hazards and mitigate them.

Green World Group offers NEBOSH PSM HSE certification that enables safety professionals working in process industries at the supervisory level and above to have an extensive understanding of the recognized principles and industry practices for process risk management.

If you are seeking confidence in your capabilities to manage Process safety, contact Green World Group today!