Manage Risks

A procedural operation consists of a set of tasks that are conducted in a set way time-after-time to achieve a certain goal such as starting or shutting down a unit or making a product. As demonstrated by Paul McKenzie (Bristol Myers Squibb) at the WBF NA Conference 2007 in Baltimore, it could even...

Chevron and Air Products have both leveraged an initiative by the Swan Associates test shop that ensures compatibility of their internal software used to manage their operations with the CCPS PERD software, designed to support value added analysis. The work process involves “as found” proof test...

In recent years, the nation has recognized that critical infrastructure protection should consider not only the prevention of disruptive events, but also the processes that infrastructure systems undergo to maintain functionality following disruptions. This more comprehensive approach has been...

Development of an effective process safety culture requires employees to look beyond intended performance, to their own nonconscious assumptions about process safety. When firmly in place, effective process safety culture instills an environment where employees differentiate between events which,...

The advent of various safety standards like ANSI /ISA 84, IEC 61511, API 14C, API 580 / 581, SAE JA1011, IEC 60330 and PSM guidelines has been a good impetus in improving the availability and reliability of safety systems and processes with an objective to meet the requirements defined by OSHA, EPA...

Effective mechanical integrity programs are essential to assure safe operation of plant facilities. The current economic downturn is difficult and most manufacturing companies have experienced headcount reductions, early retirement programs and budget reductions. Companies are concerned with short...

A method for adjusting spring operated pressure relief valve (SORV) inspection intervals is presented based on hazard identification, financial risk assessment, fluid service, and comparison of the life-cycle testing costs. Intuitively, longer intervals between maintenance and proof testing should...

A subset of 44 failed spring operated pressure relief valves (SORV) from a set of over 5600 Process Equipment Reliability Database (PERD) proof tests was subjected to root cause of failure analysis (RCA). This paper reports on the findings of those 44 analyses and includes specific examples of root...

Many companies have made great strides in change management systems since OSHA's Process Safety Management Standard 29 CFR 1910.119 was first promulgated in 1992. This standard required “implementation of written procedures to manage changes… that affect a covered process”i. Although significant...

Recurring or chronic performance problems over time within any process safety management system at a site or within a corporate structure can introduce additional unintended risks, generate internal and external compliance issues, and impede continuous improvement. Ineffective management of changes...