736 Introduction to Process Safety Management (PSM)

Operating Procedure Elements

The procedures must address at least the following elements:

1. Steps for Each Operating Phase:

• Initial startup;
• Normal operations;
• Temporary operations;
• Emergency shutdown, including the conditions under which emergency shutdown is required, and the assignment of shut down responsibility to qualified operators to ensure emergency shutdown is executed in a safe and timely manner;
• Emergency operations;
• Normal shutdown; and
• Startup following a turnaround, or after an emergency shut down.

2. Operating Limits:

• Consequences of deviation, and
• Steps required to correct or avoid deviation.

3. Safety and Health Considerations:

• Properties of, and hazards presented by, the chemicals used in the process;
• Precautions necessary to prevent exposure, including engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment;
• Temporary operations;
• Control measures to be taken if physical contact or airborne exposure occurs;
• Quality control for raw materials and control of hazardous chemical inventory levels;
• Any special or unique hazards; and
• Safety systems (e.g., interlocks, detection or suppression systems) and their functions.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.