Page 9 - RBPS during COVID-19 & Similar Disruptive times

Pillar: Understand Hazards and Risk

Element 6 - Process Knowledge Management: The assembly and management of
all information needed to perform process safety activities. Verification of the accuracy of
this information. Confirmation that this information is correct and up to date. This
information must be readily available to those who need it to safely perform their jobs.

 Make information accessible. Provide remote access to the process knowledge
stewards, so they can remain as owners and experts for this knowledge. Address
challenges of access to documents that are not online and prioritize the need to
convert key documents to an accessible electronic form.

Element 7 - Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis (HIRA): Identification of
Process Safety hazards and their potential consequences. Definition of the risk posed by
these hazard scenarios. Recommendations to reduce or eliminate hazards, reduce
potential consequences, reduce frequency of occurrence. Analysis may be qualitative or
quantitative depending on the level of risk.

 Be flexible with HIRA. Consider three ways to manage HIRA (HAZOP, PHA, LOPA, etc).
1) Revalidation of HIRA uses much less resources than re-doing them.
2) Defer the HIRA of the lower-risk units until resources are available again.
3) Conduct the HIRA using remote technology. Best practices include using video
conference programs for separate sharing of P&ID and for study worksheets. Send
the P&IDs electronically to participants prior to the meeting. Have good hardware
and resolve communication issues early. If the HIRA cannot be conducted
effectively, then it should be deferred, with appropriate approvals.

 Maintain control of risk decisions. During a crisis, employees will strive to respond
quickly to current needs, sometimes with more discretion than during normal
operating period. Make sure that decision authority impacting major risks are retained
at the appropriate level in the organization. This includes allocation of personnel and
financial resources supporting the barriers protecting against major accident risks.

 Manage risks related to staffing levels. Evaluate the effect of the reduced staffing
or changing staffing configuration on the administrative controls that are credited in
the HIRA.

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Risk Based Process Safety During Disruptive Times

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