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4-3 – EHS – Process Safety Management

Process Safety Management

Process Safety Management
PHA Facilitation and Scribing Managers and employees strive to make the best decisions for improving safety and reducing the consequences of unwanted or unplanned releases of hazardous chemicals. Our systematic approach to Process Hazard Assessments (PHAs) helps achieve those goals.  We direct our attention towards analyzing potential causes and consequences of fires, explosions, releases of toxic or flammable chemicals and major spills of hazardous chemicals, and focus on equipment, instrumentation, utilities, human actions, and external factors that might impact the process.  A PHA typically requires a large team of internal and external experts that utilize software to guide them.  We can provide a team lead that has performed literally hundreds of PHAs or simply provide a scribe that allows the PHA leader to focus on discussion creating cost-saving efficiencies.

Consulting There are times when your Process Safety Management needs are atypical.  Perhaps you do not need an independent audit our or a GAP analysis, but simply have questions that need an informed answer.  We understand these needs are here to provide a second set of fresh eyes.

PSM/RMP Program Development / Review Have you determined that you need to develop a Process Safety Management (PSM) Program?  Let our PSM professionals leverage their years of experience to help you.  Conversely, you may have had program that has been in place for some time, and you feel that it implementation and has become too routine.  Because our PSM experts have seen many diverse programs, they are able to give you an assessment that is outside of your mandatory program requirements.


PSM/RMP Auditing  Some consulting firms offer amazing Subject Matter Experts, while other firms offer experienced auditing professionals.  We offer professionals that are both SMEs AND experience auditors. Whether you are seeking a full audit team, an audit leader, or an individual to provide a fresh set of eyes on your audit team, you have come to the right place.  When we perform a PSM compliance audit, we see more than what’s required in the fourteen elements of 
OSHA’s Process Safety Management regulations or the management system requirement of EPA’s RMP Rule.  Further, we approach all audits as an opportunity to improve and communicate, rather than a punitive action.  For example, we will NOT write a finding that does not have a clear citation, which is a temptation to those that simply see something they do not like.

SOP Development and Implementation As defined by Wikipedia “gap analysis involves the comparison of actual performance with potential or desired performance. If an organization does not make the best use of current resources…it may produce or perform below an idealized potential.”  Performing a GAP analysis between your current practices and established best practices is a cost-effective way to improve your program.

Gap Analysis Our experience has shown that facility managers often have processes that are followed but may not be written down.  A common example is management of change.  It is a best practice to document these processes as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), enabling transfer of knowledge and shoring up any weaknesses.  Let our professionals help you write safe work, confined space entry, lockout tagout, controlled entrance, hot work, contractor management and other SOPs that will help keep your work force safe.

Training It makes perfect sense for corporations with many Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to rely on their own technical professionals to perform audits, especially when they can be loaned to similar facilities across an organization.  After all, who knows the process best?  While their technical knowledge is second to none, perhaps they could use some counsel and training from seasoned auditors.  Our trainers not only provide guidance on the mechanical aspects of an audit (preparation, standards to be used, writing a finding, the closing meeting and follow-up), but also on the less mechanical (communication, leadership and conflict resolution.

 

Michael Green, Ph.D, MBA, CPEA

Principal/Senior Advisor

Shaun Gilday, CPEA, PMP

EHS Principal