(126b) Improving Process Safety Performance

Many companies have implemented process safety (PS) programs for at least 20 years and now have an increased focus on continuous improvement efforts to achieve better PS performance.  Significant process incidents still occur too frequently, leading to injuries, property damage, environmental harm, lost business, and high costs.  Naturally, the factors that impact PS performance the most vary at different facilities, based on the process hazards that are present and the continued design, implementation, and effectiveness of their PS programs.  PS performance ultimately, though, is affected by common factors that must be evaluated periodically to ensure that systems are not degrading and to identify possible PS program upgrades for achieving improved performance.  This paper will focus on these common factors, how to evaluate them, and how to use them to improve PS performance.