Safety Management Systems

Recent major accidents in the Energy and Chemical Industries have had an important effect upon public opinion and through such opinion new laws and regulations have been developed. High- risk industries, such as the Petroleum industry, must show that the controls and systems for safe operations are actually in place and working.

A SMS is based upon the principle that all the hazards must be understood and controlled. To achieve this, the operations of the company must be fully assessed. This is achieved by applying the four hazard management steps:

• Systematic identification of hazards.
• Assessment of the significance of hazards
• Implementation of suitable hazard controls
• Emergency planning for recovery in the event of a loss of control.

Hazard Management is applicable to any aspect of Exploration and Production operations. It provides a framework for the Management of safety, not only to control accident hazards, which could lead to a major catastrophe but also to those that relate to workplace incidents. As a result of the focus that safety has received in the last few years many elements of an SMS already exist within operating companies. There is often difficulty in demonstrating how the various systems, documents, policies and procedures tie together. It may be hard to prove that an SMS is both in place and working.

Where a SMS has been developed and is being successfully applied, Management, Employees, Shareholders and the Regulator will have assurance that:

• The assets operated by the company have been designed and are being operated to meet known safety management objectives.
• The methods employed to achieve these objectives have been systematically identified and appropriate controls have been applied.
• The methods are continuously assessed and improved by performance monitoring, audit and review.
• There will be a method to change controls covering hardware, equipment, procedures, standards and personnel.
• Consistent execution of safety-critical activities, unaffected by personnel changes.
• Clear understanding at all levels; and understanding of who does what, and why.
• Essential procedures which state clearly the objectives to be met.
• A gradual development of reference documentation and hazard information.

The development of a SMS process will promote understanding of hazards by highlighting their criticality, and provide the means for sustainable development.