Improving the performance of established PSM programs

Abstract

Many facilities have now implemented and maintained process safety management (PSM) programs for 20 years or more, but these facilities continue to have sometimes serious incidents and injuries suggesting a continuing need to improve their PSM performance. Of course, new requirements are often added to upgrade PSM programs, due to near-miss learnings, audit findings, and new recommended and generally accepted good engineering practices, for example, but often overall performance improvements have not occurred or have not achieved the desired level of performance. How can significant performance improvements be obtained? Although performance issues at different facilities will certainly vary, this article provides several key approaches for improving overall PSM performance and for helping prevent injuries and incidents. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2012