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736 Introduction to Process Safety Management (PSM)
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Mechanical Integrity and Hot Work Permit

Mechanical Integrity

OSHA believes it is important to maintain the mechanical integrity of critical process equipment to ensure it is designed and installed correctly and operates properly.

Image of two outdoor storage tanks.
PSM mechanical integrity requirements apply to pressure vessels and storage tanks.

PSM mechanical integrity requirements apply to the following equipment:

  • pressure vessels and storage tanks;
  • piping systems (including piping components such as valves);
  • relief and vent systems and devices;
  • emergency shutdown systems;
  • controls (including monitoring devices and sensors, alarms, and interlocks); and
  • pumps.

The employer must establish and implement written procedures to maintain the ongoing integrity of process equipment.

Training

Employees involved in maintaining the ongoing integrity of process equipment must be trained in an overview of that process and its hazards and trained in the procedures applicable to the employee's job tasks.

The employer must train each employee involved in maintaining the on-going integrity of process equipment in an overview of that process and its hazards and in the procedures applicable to the employee's job tasks to assure that employees can perform their jobs in a safe manner.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

8-1. PSM mechanical integrity requirements apply to _____.