This E-Course reviews the basic Elements of Process Safety Management (PSM) in sufficient detail to allow a safety management professional to develop and implement a process safety management program.

Process safety encompasses technical safety, operational safety and personnel safety. The processes in the plant shall be studied to understand the hazards involved in operation. The goal of process safety is to develop a systematic and comprehensive approach to safety that involves the proactive identification, evaluation, and mitigation or prevention of chemical releases that might occur as a result of issues in the process, procedures, or equipment.

Process safety management (PSM) is widely credited for reductions in major accident risk to prevent unwanted releases of hazardous chemicals and improved process industry performance. The process safety management standard targets highly hazardous chemicals that have the potential to cause a catastrophic incident. The PSM Rule describes a comprehensive management system containing 20 elements for effective control of process hazards.

An effective process safety management program requires a systematic approach to evaluating the whole process. Using this approach, the process design, process technology, operational and maintenance activities and procedures, non-routine activities and procedures, emergency preparedness plans and procedures, training programs, and other elements which impact the process are all considered in the evaluation.

The final PSM standard mainly applies to chemicals and transportation equipment. Other affected sectors include natural gas liquids; farm product warehousing; electric, gas, and sanitary services; and wholesale trade.