PSM Software
What is a PSM Software?
Process Safety Management Software is a combination of software-based tools that help companies improve employee safety and maintain compliance with the 14 elements of OSHA's PSM standard
The term Process Safety Management (PSM) became prominent because of an OSHA regulation that requires businesses to properly manage hazardous chemicals, with the goal of creating safe workplaces and preventing “unexpected releases of toxic, reactive, or flammable liquids and gases” that can cause disasters. Process Safety Management systems are usually a blend of technology platforms, specific procedures and management frameworks.
Process Safety Management is complex and requires a multidimensional approach that blends technology and management solutions. Every Process Safety Management program should include 14 basic elements, according to OSHA. Here is a brief overview:
Process Safety Information: Staff should have access to basic information about the hazards of the chemicals and tools they are using on the job.
Process Hazard Analysis: This helps organizations evaluate their processes and operations to identify potential hazards. Still, organizations can’t manage safety and hazards until they know what hazards are actually in their facilities.
Operating Procedures: Work should follow consistent, well-established safety protocol.
Hot Work Permit: Work with fire or other sources of ignition requires a systematic process for authorization and oversight.
Emergency Planning and Response: Organizations should have a response plan if something goes wrong.
Mechanical Integrity: Businesses are required to track and evaluate the evolving safety risks of equipment.
Pre-startup Safety Review: Businesses are required to thoroughly assess new or modified facilities before hazardous substances are introduced into the workplace.
Training: Employees should be properly trained on all safety procedures and have access to ongoing refresher training.
Management Of Change: When processes change, businesses should conduct a systematic review of how the changes will affect risk throughout their facility.
Incident Investigation: When incidents and near-misses occur, businesses need a systematic process to record, track, investigate, report and analyze what happened.
Contractor: The safety of contractors and subcontractors should be covered by process safety management systems.
Compliance Audits: Organizations should conduct regular internal audits to ensure procedures and processes are compliant.
Employee participation: Employees should be able to access, acknowledge and sign-off on policy documents
Trade Secrets: Employees must be provided thorough documentation of materials and processes, even those that are trade secrets, to ensure health and safety.
It is worth noting that PSM focuses on events that have perhaps occurred very infrequently in the past. Perhaps, they might never have occurred at all. But, if they do occur, they are often catastrophic. While it can be complex and expensive to understand these low-probability events, the outcomes that result when they do occur are orders of magnitude more severe.
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