The NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Process Safety Management is a collaborative course from The UK’s Health and Safety regulator (HSE) and NEBOSH. It is a specialist certificate aimed at those who work within the process industries; such as oil and gas, chemical plants and pharmaceuticals.
Given the hazardous nature of the work environments involved in process industries, the course is suitable for managers, supervisors and safety professionals that would like a specialist qualification in process safety management.
Here is an explanation of what process safety actually is, and benefits of studying the course.
Difference Between Personal/Occupational Safety and Process Safety
Occupational safety is defined as concern over slips and trips, and other workplace accidents. In contrast process safety is: hazard analysis, design for safety, material verification, equipment maintenance and hazard management. This correlates to a distinction between conventional safety risks, that result in relatively high frequency yet low consequence events (slips, trips, and falls) and major hazard risks, that give rise to low frequency high consequence events (explosions).
Nowadays process safety management is an important subject found in all industries, not just high risk ones.
Hazard Management
Process safety is a disciplined framework for managing the efficiency and risk of operating systems and processes handling dangerous substances by applying competent design principles, engineering and operating practices. It constitutes the prevention and control of incidents that have the potential to release hazardous materials or energy. Such incidents can cause harm to the public, resulting in deaths, serious injury, environmental damage and explosions (AIChE, 2019).
One of the fundamental principles of managing process safety is hazard management, given the treacherous nature of the working environments involved. When incidents do occur within the process industries, the consequences can be catastrophic. An example from the Energy industry: On July 23, 2018: The Laos dam collapse. Part of a hydroelectric dam system under construction collapsed in Champasak Province, Laos. The collapse led to widespread destruction and homelessness. Forty people were confirmed dead, at least 98 proclaimed missing and 6,600 individuals were displaced (Wikipedia, 2019).
The NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Process Safety Management will teach learners to ensure they can effectively manage process safety risks. The course covers various aspects of hazard management, including: safe start-up and shut down, storing and maintaining dangerous substances and bulk storage operations. Managing process safety risks is mandatory, as substantiated by the above example and others.
Corporate Responsibility & Other Benefits
There are many benefits of gaining this qualification, particularly from an employers perspective. Two qualitative benefits include: Upholding your business’ image and reputation. Business flexibility is also enabled, and increased business options, due to safe operation. Two quantitative benefits: process safety prevents human injury, avoids significant loss and potential environmental damage.
Corporate Responsibility – Process safety protects a businesses reputation and shareholder value. This also includes financial implications, such as assuring insurance coverage at a better rate, and enhancing lenders confidence in the business. There’s also the more obvious benefit of avoiding legal implications, and the financial implications of an incident occurring – which could cost a company millions of pounds worth of compensation.
Improved process safety will also increase employee engagement; productivity is boosted as well as morale, loyalty and retention.
Change & Continual Improvement
By studying this course you will arm yourself with the relevant knowledge to not only assess and manage process safety risks; you will be equipped with the knowledge to adapt to any workplace changes that may occur.
This is part of dedicated continual improvement, that is recommended to be adhered to by relevant process industry businesses.
Why Study with RRC?
RRC are the leading UK-based health, safety and environmental management training provider. We cater to all your training needs, whether you are booking on behalf of a company or an individual. We offer the course via e-learning and In-company delivery worldwide. In addition to flexible learning, we have many experienced, professional trainers able to deliver this course with enthusiasm and vigour.
I’m sure by now you have several reasons to study this qualification, or equip your staff with this knowledge! For further information or to enrol, email: info@rrc.co.uk
Sources Referenced:
https://www.nebosh.org.uk/qualifications/nebosh-hse-certificate-in-process-safety-management/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Laos_dam_collapse
And a special thanks to RRC Associate Tutor William McDonald, who has a vast experience of the Process Safety Industries – and delivering courses on the subject. He kindly contributed to this article by sharing his knowledge and offering valuable expertise.
–
Michelle Whitney, BA (Hons)
