Measuring Process Safety Implementation through Assessments and Audits

PETRONAS, the national oil company of Malaysia was formed in 1974. Since then, it has transformed into a fully integrated multi-national Oil and Gas company which is operating in 33 countries.

A structured HSE Management System (HSEMS)had been established and implemented across the Group in 1999. In 2006, PETRONAS has enhanced its HSEMS through integration of process safety management (PSM) requirements with greater focus given on Process Hazards Analysis, Management of Change, Process Safety Information, Operating Procedures, Pre-Activity Safety Review, Mechanical Integrity, Design Integrity and Proprietary & Licensed Technology Assessment. The implementation progress on above are measured and regularly reported to the Management.

Although systems and procedures on the PSM elements have been established and implemented as reported in the self-assessment and PSM audit, there were still concerns on the effectiveness.  External 3^rd party assessment were carried out on 2 of our sites to compare with our internal  assessments.

In 2011, the HSEMS was further enhanced with a HSE Mandatory Control Framework (MCF)which has prescriptive requirements to manage  process safety risks.  The compliance to the MCF at each facility is being monitored and subjected to regular audits.