The Butterfly Effect - a Case Study on One Company's Transformation of a Process Safety Program

As process safety professionals we spend a considerable amount of our time trying to sell a concept to company leadership which will help improve components of our PSM program. If valid justification is made and the concept is approved a more difficult challenge awaits us - implementing the idea and turning it into a sustainable program.

This paper tells the story of a process safety professional's dream come true - full approval and funding to transform their company's PSM program. The paper will describe the process for justifying the project as well as strategies (and lessons learned) for mobilizing and implementing the transformation amidst a culture that "has always done it this way and hasn't had any problems". This paper will also discuss challenges and strategies for ensuring a sustainable program once transformation is complete.

Components within the transformation include an entirely new Mechanical Integrity and Instrumented Safety Systems programs as well as revamped Process Safety Information, Hazardous Area Classification, Emergency Response and Pressure Relief Device Programs.