We continue our discussion to do with the process safety discipline. This is the fifth post in the series. Earlier posts are: Three Words: Process Safety Management, Further Thoughts on the Meaning of Process Safety Management, Types of Safety: Prescriptive / Non-Prescriptive
My experience has shown me the most important Process Safety Element is "management oversight and commitment". Too many incidents have been shown to have a basic causes of, "did not follow procedures" or "did it before and nothing wrong happened". Management pays attention to the workers maybe 15% of the time, whereas the worker is watching management reaction almost continually (100% of the time). So what ever management condones is what they do. "I want to please the boss". Management attention to following procedure and dialoguing with employees as to how to make things better improves operations as well as the respect they have for each other.
My experience has shown me the most important Process Safety Element is "management oversight and commitment". Too many incidents have been shown to have a basic causes of, "did not follow procedures" or "did it before and nothing wrong happened". Management pays attention to the workers maybe 15% of the time, whereas the worker is watching management reaction almost continually (100% of the time). So what ever management condones is what they do. "I want to please the boss". Management attention to following procedure and dialoguing with employees as to how to make things better improves operations as well as the respect they have for each other.