The objective of a process safety management system (PSMS) is to ensure potential hazards are identified and that mitigation measures put in place to prevent the unwanted release of energy or materials into locations that could expose employees to serious harm.
An effective PSMS requires a systematic, comprehensive management program that integrates technologies, procedures, and management practices to evaluate the whole chemical process. Process design, process technology, process changes, operational and maintenance procedures, non-routine activities and procedures, emergency preparedness plans and procedures, training programs, and other elements that affect the process are all considered.
A PSMS focuses on process safety, while an SMS includes all aspects of safety including occupational safety.
The SMS or PSMS framework describes the different elements implemented to ensure safety at a facility. Each element incorporates the underlying principles and expectations to be met across all areas of the business or operation.
The total system for managing safety typically comprises three distinct levels of application and implementation.
- Level one (SMS/ PSMS framework) provides an overview of how the PSMS is structured and implemented as well as the achievement standards and expectations by which the company behaviour and standards are driven.
- Level two documents provide guidance to translate those standards and expectations into practical application at the work fronts.
- Level three are the specific procedures, plans, checklists, and forms for use in each operational area.
The elements of an SMS or PSMS are typically customised for a particular company, however, these are often influenced by national guidance/ legislation or international standards such as ISO, Energy Institute, or CCPS. Common elements would include hazard identification and risk assessment management, management of change, emergency preparedness, incident investigation, monitoring, and auditing, etc.
Safety Solutions has developed the level 1 PSMS/ SMS framework documents as detailed in section 3 and has prepared level 2 procedures such as emergency preparedness, hazard and risk procedures, incident investigation, management of change processes.
Our experience is as follows:
Level 1: SMS/ PSMS Experience
SSL has the following experience as part of developing or improving a site’s SMS.
Where an organisation has not had effective process safety coverage within their SMS (or no SMS has been in place), we have worked with the following companies to get their SMS ready to support their safety case.
Organisation | Audit Type |
Ballance Agri-Nutrients | Process Safety Audit |
BMT | SMS Audit |
DGL | MHF SMS review |
Evonik Industries | Process Safety Audit |
Fonterra Ltd | SMS Audit for global operations |
Genesis Energy | MoC, Hazard ID audit |
Greymouth Petroleum | Process Safety Audit |
Hexion | Process Safety Audit |
ICON Water | Process Safety Audit |
Liquigas | Process Safety Audit |
Lochard Energy | Process Safety Element Audits |
Meridian Energy (Hydro) | Process Safety Audit |
Ngati Tuwharetoa Holdings | Various system gap analysis, SMS review |
NZ Chemical Care and Storage | SMS Review |
Port Taranaki | Process Safety Audit |
Reswax | SMS Development |
Tasman Fuels | SMS Audit |
Todd Energy | Process Safety Audit |
Top Energy | SMS Audit, Process Safety Audit |
Vector Kapuni Gas Treatment Plant | Process Safety Audit |
Waste Management | Process Safety Audit |
Level 2: SMS Procedure Development Experience:
- Hazard ID and Risk Assessment (eg HAZOP and LOPA)
- Management of change (plant, software etc)
- Emergency response
- Incident investigation
- Permit to work systems
- Safety-critical elements
- Alarm management
- Safety Instrumented System (SIS) management procedures
- Plant design procedures
- Measurement and performance monitoring
- SCE verification plan
References are available on request.
