Key Questions
The following key questions are answered in this module:
What is the purpose of process safety management?
The purpose of Process Safety Management, or PSM, is to proactively identify, evaluate, and mitigate or prevent highly hazardous chemical, or HHC, releases, that could occur as a result of catastrophic failures in processes, procedures, or equipment.
Why do we need PSM?
Process Safety Management was created in response to increasing reports of incidents involving the unexpected release of toxic, reactive, or flammable chemicals from processes. Any time HHCs are not properly controlled, there is a potential for an accidental release. Any release creates the possibility of disaster.
What are the 14 elements of a PSM program?
The 14 elements of a PSM program are: employee participation, training, process safety information, process hazard analysis, mechanical integrity, pre-startup safety reviews, operating procedures, hot work, emergency planning and response, incident investigation, contractors, compliance audits, management of change, and trade secrets.
Why did OSHA create regulations that clearly define procedures for managing HHC's?
OSHA created the PSM regulations to clearly define procedures for managing HHCs with the potential to cause a catastrophic incident. PSM is designed to protect the workforce, contractors, workplace, and visitors of a facility. The United States Environmental Protection Agency developed the Risk Management Program, or RMP, to work alongside the PSM to protect the community, general public, and nearby facilities