2025 Spring Meeting and 21st Global Congress on Process Safety

(32cr) Quality: The Hidden Link between ISO 9001 and Process Safety

Integrating Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001) with Process Safety Management (RBPS) is crucial for creating industrial processes that are not only secure but also efficient. This paper explores how early risk identification and the strategic alignment of these two systems can drive project success in the industrial sector. Using a hypothetical case—the explosion of a steam boiler—the study illustrates how Quality Management can play a preventive role, ensuring the reliability and integrity of critical equipment.

The analysis points out that implementing rigorous quality controls, as outlined in ISO 9001—such as ensuring staff competence, managing outsourced processes, and properly utilizing monitoring resources—is key to avoiding serious incidents. When combined with the core principles of Process Safety Management, these elements provide a solid foundation for safer decision-making right from the early stages of a project, leading to better practices in design, installation, and maintenance.

By showcasing the synergy between quality and safety, this article emphasizes the need for robust management practices that ensure operational sustainability, reduce risks, and increase long-term value for companies. Blending ISO 9001 with RBPS transcends mere compliance; it becomes a strategic approach, vital for safeguarding industrial operations and the people who work within them.