High Level Framework for Process Safety management
The High Level Framework for Process Safety management from UK Energy Institute
This is an important document within the context of this course, please study it carefully.
Incidents that define Process Safety
For more detail on these incidents, excluding the BP Gulf of Mexico incident, you should read:
Incidents that define Process Safety’ by J Atherton and F Gil (2008), John Wiley and Sons Inc ISBN 0470122048.
The Chemicals Regulations 2009
For more information see The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2009 (schedule 1)
Preparing Safety Reports
For those who write safety reports on sites operating COMAH Regulations. Explains how they should contain enough detail to demonstrate the adequate measures in place to prevent major accidents - to people or the environment - or to limit consequences of any.
The Health and Safety Executive publication “Five steps to risk assessment”
This leaflet aims to help you assess health and safety risks in the workplace.
The “Swiss Cheese” model
For more detail on these The "Swiss Cheese", you should read:
The “Swiss Cheese” model developed by James Reason and Dante Orlandella (see Human Error by James Reason ISBN-10: 0521314194 ISBN-13: 978-0521314190)
Health and Safety Executive
For further details see the Health and Safety Executive website
For a communication targeted at the general public, particularly those who live around major hazard sites, see this document (Major Hazard Sites and Safety Reports – What You Need to Know)
Preparing safety reports: Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 (COMAH)
For those who write safety reports on sites operating COMAH Regulations. Explains how they should contain enough detail to demonstrate the adequate measures in place to prevent major accidents - to people or the environment - or to limit consequences of any.
ALARP
Further information on ALARP can be obtained from this Health and Safety Executive web site
Investigating accidents and incidents
A workbook for employers, unions, safety representatives and safety professionals
Further Research
The following incidents discussed in “Incidents that Define Process Safety” highlight the importance of effective learning from incidents and near misses. They did not occur within the process industry, but nevertheless, in each case a failure to learn from previous incidents led to major incidents and loss of life.
It’s important to remember that it is not just high-hazard process industries that have the potential for serious incidents. This also applies, for example, to rail, sea and air travel.
• The loss of the Space Shuttle “Columbia” over Texas, USA February 1 2003 (page 211)
• The capsize of the Herald of Free Enterprise, Zeebrugge, Belgium March 6 1987 (page 220)
• Air France Concorde Crash, Paris, France July 25 2000 (page 227)
Industrial Operators handbook
View the Industrial Operators handbook
Further Research
As further support material for this section, you should read about the following incidents, which are discussed in “Incidents that Define Process Safety”, and again highlight the importance of effective inspection and maintenance.
- HF Release at Marathon Oil Refinery, Texas City, USA October 30 1987 (page 101)
- Oil Refinery Explosion and Fire at Texaco Milford Haven July 24 1994 (page 105)
- FCCU Explosion at Total La Mede, France, November 9 1992 (page 112)
Further Research
Other relevant material is available on the Health and Safety Executive web site. In particular students should study Revitalising Procedures available. The following incidents discussed in “Incidents that Define Process Safety” highlight the importance of effective operating practices and procedures>
Hydrocracker Effluent Pipe Rupture, Tosco, Avon Refinery California USA January 21 1997 (page 244)
BP Texas City Isomerisation Unit Explosion, Texas, USA March 23 2005 (page 251)
The essential attributes of an effective operating procedure system are defined in Element 8: ‘Operating Manuals and Procedures’ of the Energy Institute High Level Framework for Effective Process Safety Management.
Further Research
Other relevant is material is available on the Health and Safety Executive web site. In particular students should study Human Factors: Organisational Change
and Plant Modification/Change Procedures.
The following incidents, discussed in “Incidents that Define Process Safety”, highlight the importance of effective management of change.
Chernobyl, USSR – How a Safety Enhancement Experiment turned into a world scale disaster, April 26 1986 (page 195)
Dutch State Mines Nypro Plant, Flixborough UK June 1 1974 (page 202)
Permit to Work process
The following incidents, discussed in “Incidents that Define Process Safety”, also highlight the importance of an effective Permit to Work system.
Phillips Pasadena, Texas, October 23 1989 (page 272)
Piper Alpha Platform, UK, North Sea July 6 1988 (page 277)
Further reading on the Take 5 concept
This is a handy resource on the Take 5 Concept.
High Level Framework for Process Safety management
Linking theory and practice
The essential attributes of effective control of work and task risk management systems are defined in Element 17: “Work Control, Permit to Work and Task Risk Management” in the Energy Institute ‘High Level Framework for Effective Process Safety Management’
Link to Process Safety Management and COMAH regulations
Process Safety incidents can lead to loss of life and major environmental damage. The following incidents discussed in “Incidents that Define Process Safety” highlight how Process Safety failures can cause significant environmental damage.
ICMESA Seveso Italy, Toxic Cloud Release July 10 1976 (page 295)
Sandoz SA Warehouse Fire, Bale, Switzerland November 1 1986 (page 300).
Permit to Work
The General Permit to Work.