PSM safety standards celebrate 20,000 signups
20 Sep 2022
The UK Process Safety Management Competence Programme has celebrated reaching 20,000 participants since it began operation 12 years ago.
More than 300 UK and global high hazard companies and their staff have taken part in PSM schemes since 2010, to adopt its industry framework training standards.
The organisation reached the mark this summer when Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE Plc) employees began their bespoke Process Safety Leadership course, delivered via online blended learning.
Chair of the UK Process Safety Management Competence Programme board Richard Roff, who is also Costain Group process safety director, commented:
“It’s essential that leaders of organisations with the potential for catastrophic incidents in their operations prioritise the adoption of process safety education: The PSM programme’s standards have been developed specifically for them and their teams - to help keep their operations safe.”
The board draws representatives from the Health and Safety Executive, with programmes delivered by Cogent Skills.
The PSM standards are benchmarked to COMAH / SEVESO III compliance requirements and include detailed content supporting process safety competence and compliance - to help improve a business’ operational integrity, safety and reduce the risk of a major accident hazard to people, assets and the environment.
Since the start of the programme, delegates have come from more than 40 major accident hazard industry sectors – including chemicals, nuclear, energy, utilities, manufacturing, upstream and downstream petroleum, explosives, distribution and storage.
The Process Safety Management training standards are recognised by the UK HSE’s COMAH/Seveso III authority.
However, although there are 900 COMAH sites in UK, two thirds of COMAH and non-COMAH high hazard sites have not yet adopted the PSM training standards.
Process Safety Management Competence Programme board member Amanda Cockton – who is HM Inspector of Health and Safety at the chemicals, explosives & microbiological hazards division of the Health and Safety Executive – warned:
“2021 major hazard leadership interventions highlighted the links between poor performance on site and a lack of competency in the management of major hazards at senior leadership level.
“Boards should have at least one person who is accountable for process safety performance and who understands how the decisions made at board level can impact upon safety, both now and into the future.”
