In recent years, major incidents in both the upstream and downstream industries have highlighted the importance of having robust processes and systems in place.
Process safety is a disciplined framework for managing the integrity of operating systems and processes that handle hazardous substances. It relies on good design principles, engineering and operating and maintenance practices. It deals with the prevention and control of events that have the potential to release hazardous materials and energy.
The terms ‘
process safety’ and ‘asset integrity’ are both used throughout the petroleum industry, often synonymously. For the oil and gas industry the emphasis of
process safety and asset integrity is to prevent unplanned releases which could result in a major incident.
A major incident is typically initiated by a hazardous release; it may also result from a structural failure or loss of stability that escalates to become a major incident.
- See more at: http://www.iogp.org/process-safety