Page 11 - RBPS during COVID-19 & Similar Disruptive times

Pillar: Manage Risk

Element 8 - Operating Procedures: Written instructions for a manufacturing
operation that describes how the operation is to be carried out safely, explaining the
consequences of deviation from procedures, describing key safeguards, and addressing
special situations and emergencies.

 Maintain procedures. Some staff may see a downturn in workload and have time to
update or revalidate procedures. Provide remote access to procedures and supporting
documents. Include the workforce in the review, utilizing operators who are off shift
or working remotely. Designate SMEs on-call who can be contacted for support as
procedures are being executed.

Element 9 - Safe Work Practices: Procedures to safely maintain and repair
equipment such as permits-to-work, line breaking, and hot work permits.

 Actively manage maintenance work. Limit maintenance to safety critical equipment
maintenance and essential repairs required to ensure reliability and safety. Defer high-
hazard work to minimize risk of emergency. Maintain vigilance for the site’s safe work,
hot work, and other permit processes (e.g. equipment / safety systems.) Create a call
out procedure for critical maintenance.

 Address new safety concerns. The crisis may introduce new concerns and
associated safe work practices such as social distancing, proper hygiene, and PPE use,
which should be incorporated into existing operating and maintenance procedures.
This may require new approaches to doing work such as building a scaffold or
repairing a pump where two people work in close proximity.

 Ensure smart devices are safe for use. There may be a challenge of limited
personnel onsite which might encourage the use of smart devices and cameras to
provide “eyes” in the field. Ensure these devices are managed by the hot work policy
and/or are intrinsically safe.

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Risk Based Process Safety During Disruptive Times

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