Effective engagement on process safety fundamentals in challenging times

Abstract

Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd (EAPL) and BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd own a range of offshore and onshore hydrocarbon production facilities, which have been operated by EAPL for over 50 years. Over this time, EAPL has lived a rich history of process safety experiences, and developed a range of processes and systems to manage process safety risks. Despite technical system refinement and advances across industry we continue to experience process safety events, and manage risks with plant both at the start and end of its lifecycle. Many of our major hazards are inherent to our operations, and do not become lower risk with lower product price or field activity levels. It is therefore critical that we maintain a laser focus on managing process safety risks during this time of unprecedented change, and find impactful opportunities to engage with operations, maintenance and technical teams on their role in process safety. To this end, EAPL have commenced a journey of scenario based process safety management and applying it to our most significant risks. The outcome has been a step change in process safety literacy across our business, an increased awareness of safe operating conditions and a workforce engaged in managing safeguard health. This study shares how a scenario based approach can leverage a traditional safety case and safety management system approach and make process safety personal: Simplifying communication of higher risks and the equipment and processes that keep us safe Clarifying safeguard ownership and responsibilities for safeguard health management Embedding safeguard health management in routine operations and maintenance tasks Strengthening critical safeguards which mostly depend on human performance to be effective