Process safety

Process safety management deals with the prevention of incidents at operating facilities related to any unplanned or uncontrolled release of hazardous substances or energy with potentially harmful consequences to people, property or the environment.

Our approach

To help prevent these process safety incidents, we ensure that rigorous safety standards and procedures are followed throughout facility design, construction and start-up activities. Additionally, we verify that materials received meet design specifications, conduct structured inspection and maintenance programs, regularly test integrity-critical equipment, and enforce strict procedures to maintain safe operations.

What we are doing

In 2009, we introduced a program for safe operations training for process leaders. The four-day course was taken by 121 Downstream managers. We also continued our focus on improving facilities and risk management processes and establishing clearer roles and responsibilities at our facilities. We are implementing leading indicators of process safety to enhance the ways we measure performance and identify areas for improvement.

Based on industry experience and best practices, we recognize the importance of high quality pre-job planning to maintain process safety.  In 2009, the Upstream business piloted a new Work Management System that better integrates key planning tools such as work permits, confined space entry documents and job safety analyses.