Process safety

Almost every industrial process contains energy and materials that if released in an uncontrolled manner have the potential to cause harm to staff and damage to the plant or buildings. In some processes such as in the chemical and petroleum industries, the potential to cause harm to the public may also arise, for instance should a pipe or vessel fail and release a poisonous cloud of gas that drifted outside the site boundary. Other examples are fires and explosions and structural collapse.

Process safety generally refers to the prevention of unintentional releases of energy, chemicals and gases, or other potentially dangerous materials (this would include steam) during the operational life of the plant that could cause harm to people, the plant or the environment.

Process safety programmes focus on good design and engineering of facilities and of any modifications, safe operation within design parameters and maintenance of the plant in good working order, assessing any degradation in plant integrity as it ages and making appropriate repairs or changes should they be needed. It also extends to providing effective controls, procedures and training of staff.