PROCESS SAFETY

FUNDAMENTALS

We respect hazards We walk the line

• We improve our understanding of process safety hazards • We use up-to-date documentation (e.g., Piping and
at our location and our roles in controlling them. Instrumentation Diagrams) that accurately reflect
• We are vigilant about the potential impacts of installed systems and equipment.
uncontrolled process safety hazards. • We physically confirm the system is ready for the
• We discuss process safety hazards before starting a task. intended activity (e.g., valve positions, line up of relief
devices, etc.).
• We bring forward process safety hazards to be included
in activity risk assessments. • We alert supervision to identified documentation and
readiness issues before operation.

We apply procedures
• We use operating and maintenance procedures, even if
We control ignition sources
we are familiar with the task. • We identify, eliminate, or control the full range of
1 potential ignition sources during task risk assessments
• We discuss the key steps within a critical procedure
and during job preparation and execution.
2 before starting it.
• We minimise and challenge ignition sources even in
• We pause before key steps and check readiness to progress.
“non-hazardous” areas.
• We stop, inform supervision and avoid workarounds
• We eliminate ignition sources during breaking
if procedures are missing, unclear, unsafe, or cannot
containment and start-up and shutdown operations.
be followed.
• We take time to become familiar with, and practice,
emergency procedures.
We recognise change
MOC • We look for and speak up about change.
We sustain barriers • We discuss changes and involve others to identify the
need for management of change (MOC).
• We discuss the purpose of hardware and human barriers
at our location. • We review the MOC process for guidance on what
triggers an MOC.
• We evaluate how our tasks could impact process safety
barriers. • We discuss and seek advice on change that occurs
gradually over time.
• We speak up when barriers don’t feel adequate.
• We perform our roles in maintaining barrier health and
alert supervision to our concerns.
• We use an approval process for operations with We stop if the unexpected occurs
degraded barriers.
• We discuss the work plan and what signals would tell
us it is proceeding as expected.
• We pause and ask questions when signals and
We stay within operating limits conditions are not as expected.
• We stop and alert supervision if the activity is not
• We discuss and use the approved operating limits for
proceeding as expected.
our location.
• We escalate where we cannot work within operating limits.
• We alert supervision if an alarm response action is
unclear or the time to respond is inadequate. We watch for weak signals
• We obtain formal approval before changing operating limits. • We proactively look for indicators or signals that
• We confirm that potential for overpressure from suggest future problems.
temporary pressure sources has been addressed. • We speak up about potential issues even if we are not
sure they are important.
• We persistently explore the causes of changing
indicators or unusual situations.
We maintain safe isolation
• We use isolation plans for the specific task, based on up-
to-date information.
• We raise isolation concerns before the task starts and
challenge when isolation plans cannot be executed.
• We check for residual pressure or process material For more information on
Process Safety Fundamentals,
before breaking containment.
• We monitor the integrity of isolations regularly and stop to
reassess when change could affect an isolation integrity.
• We confirm leak-tightness before, during, and after
please visit www.iogp.org/PSF
reinstating equipment.