The goal of any company is to obtain the maximum possible profits at the lowest possible cost. However, it is counterproductive to try to maximize profits by cutting costs in certain areas. Especially those that refer to industrial safety. It’s not just your long-term income that’s at risk. Not considering this aspect as a fundamental strategic pillar can bring you many problems.
But what is industrial safety for? It is intended to preserve the physical integrity of workers, that is, to prevent occupational accidents and guarantee favorable environmental conditions in the environment in which the work activity takes place. It is a multidisciplinary area of work.
The objectives of industrial process safety management are to properly manage and minimize as much as possible the risks inherent in any activity in the industry. Above all, in those aspects that refer to the safety at work of employees, their physical integrity, their health, and the materials and tools with which they perform their functions.
What Is Process Safety Management?
Process Safety Management prevents process-related injuries and incidents by implementing management systems that assess the entire process to identify and control risks.
A successful process safety management program is the sum of the best people, advanced practices and procedures, and the right technology. These management systems are now recognized as tools capable of integrating the protection of health and safety into the company system. This is achieved through organizational systems that guarantee the improvement of health and safety at work performance.
Process safety management can be complex, and many organizations struggle to implement the most stringent security standards. An external partner like a process safety management consultant can provide an invaluable service, offering unbiased advice and guidance on measures to reduce risk.
If you’re working in the industrial world, you know that process safety is always a top priority, with occupational safety helping to protect personnel, and functional safety helping to prevent large-scale catastrophes.
The management systems for process safety are structured according to the following sequence:
- Planning and organization: an elaboration plan aimed at improving the company policy with regard to management systems in the field of health and safety;
- Awareness and action: this is the phase concerning the organization and integration of business processes;
- Monitoring: checks the achievement of the previously programmed objectives, implementing any corrective measures;
- The review: this is the evaluation of the effectiveness of the entire system and the ability to implement the company policy on health and safety. This last phase is necessary for the top management to modify any critical issues and to set new improvement objectives.
Some of the advantages of adopting process safety management are:
- The reduction of costs deriving from accidents, injuries and occupational diseases;
- The minimization of the risks to which workers and any third parties present may be exposed;
- The optimization of the resources invested ;
- Facilitating the production of the documentation required by the legislation;
- The greater efficiency of the company and therefore the competitiveness on the market;
- The achievement of greater flexibility in conforming to the evolution of legislation and technical standards.
Process safety management is the foundation of good process safety performance and this is why process safety management consultants evaluate existing PSM (Process Safety Management) programs and improve them or develop new ones adapted to your organization.
