Process facilities will mainly focus on their efforts on updating their reporting workflows and emergency response protocols, so they'll be able to comply with the rule if, and when, such a release occurs.

FREMONT, CA: The primary purpose of Process Safety Management (PSM) is to prevent unwanted releases of highly hazardous chemicals. When properly designed, well-deployed, and rigorously maintained, PSM programs present the organizations with a vast capacity to control risk while building resiliency, enabling the system to absorb shocks without catastrophic failure.

Organizations that struggle to maintain effective PSM programs are often challenged due to the confluence of factors such as highly-complex processes. It also converges a lack of technical and process risk expertise, the speed and scale of process changes, conflicting priorities, and a lack of resources to manage system outputs. Without solutions to manage these variables effectively, businesses are on borrowed time, and the potential for highly dangerous releases becomes more of a question of when and if. Employers must begin to invest in solutions that will help them manage this burden while keeping them competitive.

Organizations that leverage software to assist in managing process safety are better positioned to limit their operational risk exposure prevent potential accidental releases, and achieve regulatory compliance. But how specifically does software help? Checking the most critical steps in the PSM process and check to discuss how adopting a digital approach to PSM can help effectively reduce the risk of unwanted releases.

The ability to effectively mitigate risks posed by hazards within any complex system starts with identifying where, why, and under what conditions those hazards may arise. A Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) refers to the thorough, orderly, and systematic approach to identifying, evaluating, and controlling process-related risks involving hazardous chemicals.

Most PSM standards do not dictate the specific way in which a PHA must be performed. Instead, they require that employers select a PHA methodology appropriate for the complexity of the process, from what-if analyses to HAZOP and FMEA. These tools can be quite challenging to navigate, especially for those who do not complete them regularly.