Process Hazard Analysis

Q.3 Discuss in detail how PSM helps to prevent the accident to happen.

Identify all related PSM elements without further discussion or very verbal discussion.

Identify all related PSM elements and discuss briefly all the elements. Supported by literature review and partially cited.

Identify all related PSM elements and discuss adequately all the elements. Supported by literature review and well cited.

Identify all related PSM elements and well discussed. Supported by literature review & well cited. Relevant illustrations included in the discussion. (Max Marks – 50) 1500 words

Chemicals are important to many business operations. When accidents happen, Impact of the accident is often destructive and deadly. OSHA’s Process Safety Management

Other industries or sectors such as those involving food processing, natural gas liquids, farm product warehousing, electric gas, sanitary service and wholesale trade are also affected.

Investigations have to be initiated no later than 48 hours after the accident. It needs to be carried out within the 48 hours period to ensure evidences and other related information which can be derived out of the accident area is preserved. This is to ensure effective investigation and accurateness of the event unfolding.

Upon completion of the investigation, Process Hazard Analysis (“PHA”) has to be prepared which will include the gathering and completion of Process Safety Information (“PSI”). The PHA will also contain the review of accidents that happened and the safeguarding guidelines to be put in place. PSI pertaining to hazardous chemicals should contain the following:

Toxicity

Toxicity Level of Concern (“LOC”) will provide information of the level (threshold concentration) of exposure to a chemical could hurt people if they breathe it in for a defined length of time, exposure and

The three integrity pillars are:

 Operation integrity involves training, safe work practices, and SOPs.

 Plant integrity is related to hardware design, maintenance, construction, and reliability;

 Design integrity involves process designing, PSI, engineering and material of construction.

OSHA's PSM standard requires a mechanical integrity program to ensure that equipment is designed, installed and operated as intended without chances of failure. To meet this requirement, the plant should implement a mechanical integrity program.

Hot work

Any hot work handling in the plant/facility would require employees to obtain permits due to the exposure of flammable and explosive materials as provided under OSHA's PSM. This allows the authorities to provide fire prevention and protection measures to be undertaken by the employee before a hot-work job begins.

Management of change

Implementation of MOC procedures is essential to prevent incidents, improve facility usage and optimization and reduce downtime or risk. It is also to ensure that changes such as continuous growth and the need for improvements do not introduce new hazards without control or override existing controls. Accuracy of PSI and the incorporation of PHA recommendation into the process and procedures are important as it drastically reduces the chances of