(142b) Proven Techniques for Effective Implementation of Inherent Safety in Design

Inherently safer design (ISD) concept is science as well as an art. A lot has been done in last two decades on inherently safer design by several engineering experts and intellectuals. Numerous industries have taken the advantage by implementing these principles and have achieved great benefits by reducing their risks. However, these novel principles are not yet fully embraced and have become more of a corporate and design buzz word than getting the valuable results.

What are we missing; is it the concept, understanding, interpretation, competency, mindset, or the culture?

While working on some major projects, the author was the subject matter expert to implement ISD in the projects which were at different design stages. He faced the strong resistance by project managers/design engineers by adding one more review process which impacts project cost and schedule.

Most challenging task was to change their mindset by adding one more process to traditional project processes and contest the well tested and proven design and technology. The design team was still more biased to layers of protection than eliminating/minimizing the hazards from the source.

In this paper, author will share the techniques and methods used to influence the project team to understand the concept and benefits of ISD and how he transforms the culture. Afterwards, ISD review became the top priority of all project managers.

Another example will be shared from a large oil company where ISD was officially implemented and matured, but it was just more than a check box.

This paper will be concluded by sharing the Do’s and Don’ts for transforming the process safety culture to implement ISD in major projects as well as operating facilities in complex high hazard industries.