What are “Good Faith Efforts”? PSM/RMP Compliance Discretion and COVID-19 [Webinar]
Facilities must demonstrate “good faith efforts”, but what does that really mean with regard to PSM/RPM program elements?Read more
Facilities must demonstrate “good faith efforts”, but what does that really mean with regard to PSM/RPM program elements?Read more
Specifically, have these deviations in day-to-day operations created more risks to your PSM program?Read more
In Star Trek, the ship is protected by a force field called a “shield”. When under attack, the tactical officer will call out the status of the shield’s integrity, e.g. “shields at 70%, Captain.” When shields are down to 10%, you know that a breach is imminent unless they retreat or find a way to defeat their attacker.
In a refinery or chemical plant, there is no one calling out the integrity of our protection systems and procedures every few minutes.
But OSHA has specified three specific process safety elements that are critical to Protect Against the Hazards (one of the Five PSM Mindets™) – Pre-Startup Safety Reviews, Mechanical Integrity, and Hot Work Permits.
Once we’ve identified the hazards, it’s time to do something about it. We’ve seen where danger may strike, so we go to the possible sources. We anticipate what could go wrong and prepare for it.
In a process hazard analysis (PHA), safeguards and layers of protection are identified and counted on. And in our industry, there is a great deal of focus on mechanical integrity and maintaining safety instrumented systems.
In a successful process safety culture, the success or failure of the facility is the responsibility of everyone together – like the crew on Star Trek.
If you are going to help ensure the shields are at maximum strength, here are a few places to start:
The safety of a star ship isn’t just dependent on its shield. It depends upon each crew member doing their part and working as a team.
The safety of a facility isn’t just based on the safeguards put in place, but upon each person inside the gate doing their part.
You are more than helping maintain the “shield” – YOU are an integral part of the shield preventing catastrophe so that we may all “live long and prosper”.
Could your facility be under-utilizing your operating procedures? Find out how to use them beyond day-to-day operations.
This 60-minute sponsored webinar starts off by looking at why operating procedures are essential to your safety and efficiency, OSHA requirements related to their content and generation and common mistakes made in the process. You’ll then go on to consider the ways operating procedures can be used beyond the day to day. Learn how operating procedures are a vital part of your PHAs and closely linked to PSI. In addition, discover effective methods for maintaining, storing and accessing operating procedures. By the end of the webinar, you’ll have a better understanding of operating procedures and how to use them more effectively in your facility.
Justin Phillips has over eight years of onshore and offshore oil & gas process engineering and project execution experience. His technical experience includes process design with specialty in flare and relief systems.
Justin is the Relief Systems Line of Service Manager at Provenance Consulting, LLC. He holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.