A periodic PSM audit assesses a PSM program’s effectiveness and regulatory compliance. This audit involves reviewing documentation, operating, maintenance, and emergency procedures, training programs, incident reports, and documents supporting the 14 elements of the PSM program to verify compliance and identify opportunities for improvement.
Per OSHA 1910.119, the Process Safety Management (PSM) program mandates regular audits at least every three years, conducted by an individual with expertise in PSM, possessing the necessary knowledge to effectively evaluate and assess compliance and the program’s overall effectiveness.
The Periodic Process Safety Management (PSM) audit is a critical process aimed at validating facility adherence to procedures and ensuring regulatory compliance. In this article, we delve into not only the primary objectives and evaluation of the 14 elements of process safety but also emphasize how the PSM audit process, encompassing documentation review, on-site assessments, and post-audit analysis, assists in safety compliance and continuous improvement in industrial processes. Additionally, we highlight the pivotal role Key Success Factors play in assessing the effectiveness of an organization’s PSM system and identifying critical elements contributing to desired outcomes and goals in process safety.
The audit’s primary objective is to demonstrate the adequacy and adherence of the facility’s PSM procedures and practices. PSM audits help verify the organization is following the appropriate regulations, identifying any areas where improvements can be made, and providing recommendations.
Checking compliance: The audit confirms that the organization is adhering to OSHA 1910.119. It verifies that all necessary elements of PSM are in place and are being properly executed.
Finding weaknesses: The audit assists in uncovering weaknesses or shortcomings in the organization’s PSM program. This might involve gaps in documentation, training programs, and inadequate maintenance practices.
Assessing risks: The audit evaluates the effectiveness of the organization’s risk assessments.
Reviewing documentation: During the audit relevant documents, records, and procedures are examined to ensure their accuracy, completeness, and effectiveness. The goal is to verify if the documented practices align with written procedures.
Employee engagement: The audit assesses the level of employee involvement in the process safety management (PSM) system. It evaluates whether there is communication, training opportunities, and active participation in process safety activities.
Following each audit, a comprehensive report must be issued, documenting any findings observed. In response to these findings, a detailed plan of action is required for resolution. Additionally, the facility is obligated to maintain the two most recent audit reports as part of its Process Safety Information, subject to further review in subsequent audit cycles and in the event of on-site incidents.
The audit of the Process Safety Management (PSM) program encompasses the thorough evaluation of 14 essential elements. The 14 elements of PSM are defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the U.S. and serve as a guideline for managing process safety hazards.
As part of the evaluation process, auditors usually examine documentation, conduct interviews with employees, observe operations, and inspect facilities to evaluate compliance and effectiveness. These findings are crucial in identifying any areas that may need improvement or have shortcomings within each element of the PSM program.
These elements include: