Is It Wise to Have Control and Safety in a Single System? - How Technology Changes Even the Most Prescriptive Standards

Abstract

Submitted by  Humbert  J Howard

In general, the decisions faced by engineers and managers of
facilities in the chemical, oil and gas industries regarding prioritizing
Process Safety action items are difficult and complex.  Some of the most
challenging decisions involve Process Safety risks reduction recommendations
which need to be addressed but may have the same risk ranking.  The use of
proper methodology, can provide managers with the tools to make cost conscious
decision making in tight capital environments when handling High Hazardous
Materials.

 ….This prioritizing should consider the potential
severity of a chemical release, the number of potentially affected employees,
the operating history of the process such as the frequency of chemical
releases, the age of the process and any other relevant factors. These factors
would suggest a ranking order and would suggest either using a weighing factor
system or a systematic ranking method. The use of a preliminary hazard analysis
would assist an employer in determining which process should be of the highest
priority and thereby the employer would obtain the greatest improvement in
safety at the facility.                    OSHA Compliance Guidelines for PSM

The purpose of this paper is to provide decision makers and
those who supply them with data and guidance relating to a decision methodology
that can be used to assess the relative ranking for action items within the
same risk class (i.e. medium risk). We will use consequence and frequency of
the event as well as the hazard material factor to determine the risk scoring
of the action item.

This paper is not intended to give guidance on how to
conduct the PHA or what type risk matrix to use.  It can be modified to fit any
type risk matrix. Company procedures and practice should be consulted for
specific guidance on how to conduct a PHA.