1. Process Safety Management
A systematic approach to major accident hazard management
BUSINESS CHALLENGE
From time to time, major accidents happen due to a lack of care in the
development of equipment codes as well as an increased need in plant
designer and operator expertise. Furthermore, many companies face
major challenges related to the speed at which operations have to be
installed, the manpower downsizing often required, the environmental
pressures which may cause process changes, the ageing of plant, and in
some cases the acquisition of other company sites.
Despite all the challenges, a company must ensure that safety
management is adequate and (if possible) compatible between one site
and another so that performance standards can be established and
maintained.
SOLUTION
(PSM
What is Process Safety Management (PSM)?
PSM is a part of safety management, which focuses on the concerns of
major hazards impacting safety, environmental damage and business losses. Oil & Gas companies are
significant users of PSM methods, particularly where there are hazardous processes or large inventories of
flammable or toxic materials. Regulators expect operators of volatile plants to implement measures to ensure
that their plants are operated and maintained in a safe manner. PSM techniques are numerous - from process
screening and concept selection, through hazard identification, consequence evaluation, risk assessment,
ALARP study, pre start-up action response auditing, to inspection and auditing during operation.
What are the key benefits?
key
The major aim of PSM is to develop plant systems and procedures to prevent unwanted releases, which may
ignite and cause toxic impacts, local fires, or explosions in plants - effecting nearby communities. In addition,
PSM can also address issues related to the Operability, Productivity, Stability, and Quality output of processes,
leading to the specification of safeguards against undesirable events.
Proper safety management results in reduced exposure to lawsuits, penalties, public liability claims, and hikes
in insurance premiums. Other intangible benefits include retention of corporate image. The principles of PSM
apply throughout the lifecycle of a plant or installation to ensure that the facilities can be managed safely and
achieve acceptable levels of business risk overall.
WHY CHOOSE BUREAU VERITAS?
● Bureau Veritas is a widely recognized world leader in many of the elements of PSM and with its growth
over the last decade, now offers PSM technologies to cover the needs of typical oil and gas industry
operations.
● With over 8 technical centers and over 200 offices throughout the world, Bureau Veritas staff can
deliver PSM to clients on a local basis, optimizing project offers.
Brochure_Process Safety Management_REV:1_06.07.10

2. OUR APPROACH RELATED SERVICES
Different PSM tools are used during various stages of an
operation’s lifetime. For example, HAZID is undertaken during Bureau Veritas offers a wide range
the earlier stages of a project in order to ensure hazard of related services:
awareness during the design, whereas, topics such as hazardous
● Legislative awareness service
area classification, SIL assessment, and fire consequence
evaluation are conducted during the design as well as during the ● Safety case services (e.g.
operation. COMAH)
Bureau Veritas provides clients with recommendations to ● Management information
determine what studies are appropriate for any stage in a systems
facility’s life. We also provide response to client requests for ● Design review
specific work or for enhancements to their PSM program.
● Independent verification
FAQ ● Asset integrity management
How does PSM relate to techniques such as HAZOP studies and ● Reliability centered
check-lists
check-lists? maintenance
HAZOP, consequence analysis, etc. all serve as components of ● Condition monitoring
PSM. The PSM adviser chooses techniques to incorporate, in a
● Pipe work engineering
particular study, and meet the client safety management system
services
and/ or to suit the legislative requirements.
CONTACT
Chicago Office Houston Office
630.795.3200 281.986.1300
weldingexpert@us.bureauveritas.com tc.houston@us.bureauveritas.com
www.us.bureauveritas.com/asset