Email Report

Subject:                        OSHA Announces PSM Special Emphasis Programme for Refineries

Date of Email report:   15/08/2007

Report Detail:

On June 7, 2007 OSHA announced a Special Emphasis Program (SEP) on Process Safety Management (PSM) for refineries. This program will apply to all refineries and will be implemented over the next two years. The basis for OSHA’s program is that since the PSM standard was promulgated, the petroleum refining industry has experienced the most fatal (36) or catastrophic incidents. This SEP focuses heavily on compliance with RAGAGEP (recognized and generally accepted good engineering practice) in addition to regulatory requirements. Topics will include: management of change, relief systems including blowdown drums and vent stacks, vessels, piping, operating procedures, findings and  recommendations, facility siting, human factors, employee participation, training, P&ID verification, contractor safety, safe work practices, pre-startup safety review,
hot work permits, incident investigation and emergency planning and response. Although this program is focused on refineries, the focus items apply to all facilities covered under PSM.