Articles

Thinking outside the box with PSM integration

May 29, 2024

Let's start thinking about safety and compliance with an outside of the box approach. Just because your operations aren't regulated by OSHA's Process Safety Management (PSM) regulations doesn't mean you can't use them to guide your operations into safer, more efficient, and more reliable operations and can be a game-changer for operational excellence. A prime example is how the core elements of pipeline safety management systems align with OSHA's PSM program.

Leadership commitment is the bedrock of pipeline safety, mirroring PSM's emphasis on employee participation. Both recognize that a robust safety culture must start at the top and trickle down through all levels of an organization. Stakeholder engagement in pipeline safety is similar to PSM's process safety information sharing, ensuring all parties stay informed and invested.

Risk management is a shared priority – PSM's process hazard analysis serves the same purpose as identifying and mitigating risks in pipeline operations.

Operational controls and PSM's operating procedures both aim to provide clear guidelines for safe practices. Incident investigations and lessons learned are the linchpin for continuous improvement, just like PSM's incident investigation element.

Safety assurance through pipeline safety programs and PSM's compliance audits act as preventive measures to maintain integrity.

Management reviews and continuous improvement for pipelines aligns with PSM's hot work permits and management of change processes – all advocating systematic evaluation and adaptation.

Being prepared for emergencies is critical in both spheres, similar to PSM's pre-startup safety reviews that ensure readiness. Competency, training and awareness are fundamental pillars, much like PSM's training requirements, to build a knowledgeable workforce upholding safety standards.

Finally, documentation and record-keeping are indispensable, comparable to PSM's trade secrets component, balancing transparency and information protection.

This comparison reveals that core safety tenets are universal across industries. Adopting PSM elements can elevate pipeline safety programs by fostering a more proactive safety mindset. Such creative integration encourages thinking beyond regulatory boxes to leverage broader best practices and safeguard operations more holistically.

Disclaimer: This is not legal advice and shall not be construed as such.