Process safety management was created under OSHA in July of
1990 due to major disasters from accidental chemical releases in the past which
resulted in many deaths. A process is defined as any activity involving a
highly hazardous chemical including using, storing, manufacturing, handling, or
moving chemicals at the site. This contained requirements for the proper
management of highly hazardous chemical hazards to ensure the safety of
employees. This management system is complete, containing procedures,
management practices while being integrated with technology. After many
meetings they implemented 25 state plans which cover a variety from both
private and public sectors. This standard mainly covers manufacturing
industries that relate to chemicals, transportation equipment, natural gas
liquids, and fabricated metal products. A company can also be under the process
safety management if it contains more than 130 specific toxic and reactive
chemicals that are listed as well as flammable liquids and gases in stock of
more than 10,000 pounds.
There are fourteen elements of process safety management:
process safety information, process hazard analysis, operating procedures,
training, contractors, mechanical integrity, hot work, management of change,
incident investigation, compliance audits, trade secrets, employee
participation, pre-startup safety review, and emergency planning and response.
1.
Process safety information is a written form
that companies must complete before they can conduct process hazard analysis. These
forms will help both the employers and the employees to identify and understand
the hazards associated with the chemicals they are using.
2.
Process hazard analysis is an approach for
identifying, evaluating, and controlling the hazards of processes involving
highly hazardous chemicals. The first step is for the employer to do a hazard
evaluation on every process done within the company that are covered by the
standard. It must also address engineering and administrative controls with the
hazards, facility siting, human factors, and hazards of the process.
3.
Operating procedures must be written down and
easily available for all employees. These procedures must be consistent with
the rest of the previous processes. The procedures must cover: initial startup,
normal operations, temporary operations, emergency shutdown and normal
shutdown.
4.
All employees must be properly trained. There is
initial training, refresher training, which all must be documented.
5.
Contractors must go through the proper application
processes. The employer must evaluate information on the contract employer’s safety
performance for the past.
6.
The mechanics must be maintained in order to be
at a certain performance level so it is safe for all employees.
7.
A hot work permit must be issued for work
operations on or near a covered process.
8.
Management of change must be written and must
contract employees whose jobs will be affected. Everything must be updated.
9.
All incidents must be documented and
investigated properly.
10.
In case of an emergency there must be a set plan
in place, employees must be trained.
11.
Employers must be evaluated to be in compliance
with PSM every 3 years.
12.
Trade secrets must be kept within the company,
but this information must become public to PSM.
13.
Employees, production, maintenance, and staff to
be involved in all aspects of the PSM program at your site, and to have
representation in the development, discussion, and eventual solution to issues
around the process hazard analysis.
14.
Conduct pre-startup safety reviews of all newly
installed or modified equipment;
