Process Safety Management (PSM)

Process safety management or (PSM) is an analytical tool centered on preventing releases of any substance defined as a highly hazardous chemical.  PSM refers to a set of approaches that are used to manage hazards associated with the industrial processes and it is intended to reduce the frequency and severity of incidents resulting from releases of chemicals and other energy sources (US OSHA 1993). These standards are composed of organizational and operational procedures, design guidance, audit programs, and convey of other methods.  Here I have included the 14 step process and an explanation from OSHA’s website.

  1) Develop and maintain written safety information identifying workplace chemical and process hazards, equipment used in the processes, and technology used in the processes.

 (2) Perform a workplace hazard assessment, including, as appropriate, identification of potential sources of accidental releases, identification of any previous release within the facility that had a potential for catastrophic consequences in the workplace, estimation of workplace effects of a range of releases, and estimation of the health and safety effects of such a range on employees.

(3) Consult with employees and their representatives on the development and conduct of hazard assessments and the development of chemical accident prevention plans and provide access to these and other records required under the standard.

(4) Establish a system to respond to the workplace hazard assessment findings, which shall address prevention, mitigation, and emergency responses.

 (5) Review periodically the workplace hazard assessment and response system.

(6) Develop and implement written operating procedures for the chemical processes, including procedures for each operating phase, operating limitations, and safety and health considerations.

(7) Provide written safety and operating information for employees and employee training in operating procedures, by emphasizing hazards and safe practices that must be developed and made available.

(8) Ensure contractors and contract employees are provided with appropriate information and training;

(9) Train and educate employees and contractors in emergency response procedures in a manner as comprehensive and effective as that required by the regulation promulgated pursuant to section 126(d) of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act.

(10) Establish a quality assurance program to ensure that initial process-related equipment, maintenance materials, and spare parts are fabricated and installed consistent with design specifications; Process Safety Management 4.

(11) Establish maintenance systems for critical process-related equipment, including written procedures, employee training, appropriate inspections, and testing of such equipment to ensure ongoing mechanical integrity.

(12) Conduct pre-startup safety reviews of all newly installed or modified equipment.

(13) Establish and implement written procedures managing change to process chemicals, technology, equipment and facilities.

 (14) Investigate every incident that results in or could have resulted in a major accident in the workplace, with any findings to be reviewed by operating personnel and modifications made, if appropriate.

Process Safety has developed over the years.  Unfortunately, this is often due to severe incidents.  But it is through these incidents that we learn.  OSHA and the EPA have a huge influence on the PSM.  OSHA, covering the safety of the employees.  And the EPA covering the environmental risks that industry causes.  However the two can be heavily tied, for example the Bhopal, India release was an environmental pollutant that cause a lot of harm to people (not necessarily employees in this case).  This is just one example of how the two are heavily intertwined.