Management discipline: Defining a process safety strategy

Abstract

We often associate operational discipline with conduct of operations and define discipline as the tools to achieve repeatable results. While discipline in operations is primarily focused on the operator, engineers, and management contribute to the success in achieving consistent results. A Plan‐Do‐Check‐Act model, or Deming Cycle, can be used to represent the relationship among operational, engineering, and management disciplines. The management discipline part of the cycle involves making decisions (act) based on the output of the operations, and planning for success. This article describes a modified strategic business analysis (SBA) planning tool that managers can apply to process safety in order to achieve a desired vision and objective. Too often we are reactive to incidents and create activity lists from year to year in order to achieve objectives and goals. The process safety SBA tool is a structured approach of data analysis. It helps us to understand the company's internal and external environment in order to set strategic alternatives that will bring a company from its present state to the desired future state. By planning for and following a strategy, consistency in operations is achieved and repeatable results can be obtained. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 33: 162–165, 2014

Operational discipline in practice

“…It is better that risk sensitivity forms are completed for all work instructions or standard operating procedures and are available for unit shift engineers, trainee engineers, area operators and trainee operators. Everyone should play his role in reducing operational risks 2,10,11 . Indicating risks present in day‐to‐day activities will reduce the accidents and improve operational discipline.…”

“…Warehouse-A-789: west side on floor grouted amaber bolts are to be removed on edge of platform 16. Ammonia filling open drain pit is to be covered with metal sheets (East-South corner of empty cylinder yards) 2,10,11 Indicating risks present in day-to-day activities will reduce the accidents and improve operational discipline. Risk assessments are useful in identifying risks, hazardous situations and operability issues for tasks described in work instructions or standard operating procedures.…”

Our Process Safety Journey Continues: Operational Discipline Today

“…2 applies, whether it is for process safety risks, environmental risks, purchasing risks, or business‐related risks, such as marketing or investments. Everyone has a role in helping a company reduce its overall operational risks . Everyone's conduct and behavior affects the risk.…”

On the applicability of analysis of internal and external factors: A case study of Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation in Ardabil

“…The mechanisms which are used to evaluate internal and external factors are called assessment of the internal and external environment including a basic SWOT form that can provide an accurate and reliable measure for assessing an organization (Clark, 2011;Forest, 2013). Assessment of the internal and external environment is considered as a management tool which is used in strategic planning and problem solving for setting future priorities and directions.…”