ABB rolls out safety systems software
17 May 2016
From its newly-developed Learning Centre in Cambridgeshire, ABB yesterday launched a number of initiatives to help improve safety in the process industries.
Its latest software tool – Proof Test Benchmark – is designed to evaluate a company’s safety instrumented systems (SIS) inspection and proof testing management practice, for instance.
The software, which can be used repeatedly to help improve maintenance integrity programs, is designed around a “scoring algorithm” that is based on Health and Safety Executive (HSE) proof testing guidelines, ABB said.
Changes to industry good practice safety standards and their link to current legislation are increasing the demand to improve functional safety
John Walkington, ABB’s principal safety consultant
The proof test tool identifies where problems reside within existing operations so that improvements can be achieved in specific areas of a business, said John Walkington, ABB’s principal safety consultant.
However, the tool is still in the beta phase, having only been tested in refineries and on offshore platforms across three companies.
According to Walkington, it will be fully launched to industry next month.
Meanwhile, ABB is also urging the oil and gas industry to maintain its focus on functional safety and not overlook changes to the IEC 61511 process sector safety standard.
The standard now demands far more safety specificity from engineering teams, Walkington said.
“Although there is reduced capital investment as a result of falling oil and gas revenues, changes to industry good practice safety standards and their link to current legislation are increasing the demand to improve functional safety.”
