Does your management team actually understand what’s involved in process safety management? For many organizations, the answer is no. Management often doesn’t realize how much goes into completing each of the 14 PSM elements, telling their teams to simply “get it done." However, there are ways to increase management’s PSM involvement.
Too often, management becomes aware of PSM when OSHA or EPA knocks on the door. Thousands of dollars in fines grab attention quite well. But for an approach that’s not reactionary, look to PSM education.
Here are some great educational courses dedicated to PSM:
Process Safety Management Audits by the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Curriculum includes:
Overview of PSM systems audits
The audit process
Auditing techniques
Audit techniques workshop
Auditing approaches: interactive workshop
Process Safety Management / Risk Management Plans for the Ammonia Operator by Garden City Community College
Curriculum includes:
An overview of PSM and RMP regulations
Ongoing employee participation
Application of management of change
Maintenance of SOPs and EOPs
Program audit requirements
Pre-startup safety checklists
Process hazard analysis revalidation
Worst-case release scenario
PSM / RMP for the Ammonia Operator by Lanier Technical College
Curriculum includes:
OSHA / EPA / DHS – a brief history
Sections included in PSM and RMP
Assignments on selected areas
Accounts of incidents from various companies
CAMEO / ALOHA / MARPLOT
Audits
If management can’t commit to a 40-hour course, consider more specific, on-site PSM training. For example, Stellar travels to plants around the country, spending one or two days teaching a specific PSM element such as “How to properly create a management of change.”
However, no matter the method of education, management awareness is especially important for your PSM program–they should know and understand what they are requiring personnel to comply with. Investing in education is money well spent.
If you’d like to learn about more ways to involve management in your PSM program, email me at [email protected].
Stellar is a fully integrated firm focused on planning, design, pre-construction, construction, refrigeration, mechanical & utility, building envelope, and total operations & maintenance services worldwide. Visit the company's blog at www.stellarfoodforthought.net