Process Safety Management (PSM) & Inspection | Arab Fertilizer Association


Process Safety Management (PSM) & Inspection


  • Date: 24-26 May 2016
  • Committee: Technical
  • Place: Kuwait

State of Kuwait hosted during 24 – 26 May 2016, in Radisson Blu Hotel, “Process Safety Management (PSM)” Workshop, held by Arab Fertilizers Association under the sponsorship of Petrochemicals Industry Company (PIC). Around fifty AFA Arab member companies from Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia participated in the Workshop. AFA was keen on organizing such a Workshop, believing in the importance of process safety and minimizing work process-related risks in order to create a more secure, healthy and safe working environment. It was further concerned with ensuring the necessity of abiding by safety elements to protect the human being and equipment as well as to contribute in achieving fertilizer sector sustainable development. AFA chose the State of Kuwait as a venue to host the Workshop, taking in consideration the distinguished experience of Petrochemicals Industry Company (PIC) in such a field and its successful application of PSM programs. The Workshop was held to transfer such experiences to the Arab companies, a pursuit which is already materialized thanks to the strenuous efforts exerted by PIC officials in preparing the Workshop program and related scientific materials besides transferring their expertise and experience in the most transparent manner.
H.E. Mr. Mejbel Al-Shammari, Deputy CEO, Fertilizers of Petrochemicals Industry Company (PIC), inaugurated the Workshop proceedings by a welcome speech. He started his speech by commending AFA role in developing and transferring expertise to Arab fertilizer companies and he thanked the attendants for their outstanding participation. In addition, he confirmed that
process safety is one of the most significant topics to be tackled in the industrial activity field in order to avoid serious accidents that may lead to deaths and injuries of workers and people surrounding the industrial zones as well as destroying properties, halting production and adversely impacting the environment. Mr. Al-Shammari also stated in his speech that process safety issue was not taken in consideration, as required, except from few years after many disastrous accidents took place. In previous decades, many companies focused on personal safety and 80% of the exerted effort regarding safety was dedicated to the improvement of work environment and taking care of workers personal safety via raising awareness, applying safety
measures and abiding by personal protection equipment, without concentrating on finding an integrated system for Process Safety Management (PSM). He further added saying that “it is true that some of such system elements were applied in different processes and technical and safety services departments; yet it did not take a comprehensive and integrated manner. It is
noteworthy that violating any of such system elements can lead to serious accidents. Thus, the effective application of such system comprehensively should be guaranteed.”
Mr. Mejbel Al-Shammari also underscored the significance of such Workshop to the industrial sector in order to define process safety system in a comprehensive and integrated way.Furthermore, he mentioned that he pleasingly participated in the first committee formed in Petrochemicals Industry Company (PIC) to establish a Process System Management (PSM) in late 1990s. He highlighted that the Company was capable of establishing and worked effectively 

to apply such an integrated system, thus reaped positive fruits by striking records in production, safety and preserving the environment. Then, Mr. Mohamed Mahmoud Ali, AFA Director of Studies Division, delivered AFA Secretariat speech, in which he extended appreciation and salutation to Petrochemicals Industry Company (PIC) for the warm hospitality and tangible arrangement and organization provided by Petrochemicals Industry Company (PIC) assisting team as well as the continuous support to AFA activities and proceedings in addition to hosting such Workshop.
He stated that the first objective in the strategic plan tackling the development of AFA performance is paying due concern first and foremost to the human being health, safety and environment. This objective enhances the levels of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) in all AFA member companies, disseminates this culture to protect the human being and equipment and contributes to achieve fertilizer sector sustainable development.
A specialized working group, (HSE) Group, was formed to implement such field related initiatives, namely:
 Organize workshops, conferences and forums to raise awareness and transfer knowledge regarding (HSE) topics among member companies; 
 Establish benchmarks to measure compatibility with related international standards;
 Mainstream distinguished researches, works and practices in member companies to benefit from and exchange expertise;
 Issue educational manuals and publications, particularly in relation to lessons learned
from accidents and proceedings;
 Hold competitions and allocate special award for the best company in (HSE) field.
Mr. Mohamed Mahmoud Ali further affirmed that providing the highest (HSE) standards undoubtedly represents the most important goal sought by AFA and member companies. The application of (HSE) system entrenches the sense of responsibility, contributes in giving a good image of companies and promotes workers satisfaction and customer confidence.
In his speech he praised Petrochemicals Industry Company (PIC) efforts saying: “allow me to honorably highlight (PIC) achievements, where vocational health and safety and environment became a distinctive characteristic, putting the Company in a sublime status locally and internationally. (PIC) also accomplished a great achievement that is winning for the second time
AFA award for (HSE) in fertilizer factories. It won the award in 2009 and then in 2015 based on the advanced level and clear commitment of Company in (HSE) fields. 

Workshop Program
Heading from theory to successful application, the Workshop program lasted for three days, based on two main themes:
First theme: rules and basics of PSM system from the theoretical and academic perspectives DUPONT, an international consultancy company, tackled this theme during the Workshop first day.
Second theme: Effective and successful application of PSM program Over the two full days, Petrochemicals Industry Company (PIC), Represented by Mr. Hamad Dekheel Al Subaie, Operations Manager and Head of Safety Committee, together with a
number of specialized engineers, members of committee and other different departments presented its pioneering experiences regarding the implementation of PSM program practically and in detail.
These two days included several discussions among attendants and Petrochemicals Industry Company (PIC) officials on all issues related to PSM system. 

Case studies were also presented by both Gulf Petrochemicals Industry Company (BSC) and Saudi Arabian Fertilizer Company (SAFCO) reflecting the distinguished expertise in this field. The workshop is provided with an extensive range of operator-led case studies and proven methods for achieving a reliable process safety system to ensure continuous development, revaluation and dedication are met. Attendants participated in the Process Safety and Inspection 2016 edition to: 
 Leverage from (PIC) success story in implementing effective PSM program;
 Learn how Fertilizer plants can benefit from the implementation of Process Safety
Management (PSM) system;
 Understand how modifications and projects are controlled to ensure all changes are properly reviewed and any hazards introduced by the change are identified, evaluated, analyzed, understood and controlled before resuming operation;
 Gain hoe PSM elements are monitored and measured using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs);
 Learn from previous lessons;
 Share Asset Management system by the effective implementation and documentation of asset management practices, plans, processes and procedures;
 Hear how equipment reliability will lead to high performance and safer workplace;
 Improve organizations process safety culture;
 Reduce process related risk at workplace;
 Create a healthier and safer workplace;
 Effectively implementation process of safety management system.

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