Does your management team actually understand what’s involved in process safety management (PSM)? For many organizations, the answer is “no.” Management often doesn’t realize how much goes into completing each of the 14 PSM elements, telling their teams to simply “get it done.” However, there are ways to increase management’s PSM involvement.
Too often, management becomes aware of PSM when OSHA or EPA knocks on the door. Thousands of dollars in fines grab attention quite well. But for an approach that’s not reactionary, look to PSM education. Here are some great educational courses dedicated to PSM:
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Process Safety Management Audits by the University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Curriculum includes:
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Overview of PSM systems audits
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The audit process
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Auditing techniques
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Audit techniques workshop
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Auditing approaches: interactive workshop
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Process Safety Management / Risk Management Plans for the Ammonia Operator by Garden City Community College
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Curriculum includes:
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An overview of PSM and RMP regulations
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Ongoing employee participation
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Application of management of change
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Maintenance of SOPs and EOPs
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Program audit requirements
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Pre-startup safety checklists
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Process hazard analysis revalidation
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Worst-case release scenario
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PSM / RMP for the Ammonia Operator by Lanier Technical College
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Curriculum includes:
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OSHA / EPA / DHS – a brief history
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Sections included in PSM and RMP
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Assignments on selected areas
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Accounts of incidents from various companies
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CAMEO / ALOHA / MARPLOT
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Audits
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If management can’t commit to a 40-hour course, consider more specific, on-site PSM training. For example, Stellar travels to plants around the country, spending one or two days teaching a specific PSM element such as “How to properly create a management of change.”
However, no matter the method of education, management awareness is especially important for your PSM program–they should know and understand what they are requiring personnel to comply with. Investing in education is money well spent.
If you’d like to learn about more ways to involve management in your PSM program, comment below or call us at 800-488-2900.
