(20b) Application of Inherently Safe Principles to Projects

Projects, especially large capital projects, often increase the residual risk profile of an operating plant through the addition or modification of equipment and processes. Management of those new risks is normally achieved through hazard identification and subsequent application of administrative or engineered safeguards. Maintaining those risks at an acceptable level over the life of a facility requires maintenance of those safeguards through mechanical integrity programs, training and procedures, and appropriate management of change. In reality, the best way to manage risk in a new operation is to never create it, instead applying Inherently Safe Principles during the project phase, which serve to reduce risk by the removal or reduction of the hazard instead of controlling the hazard. By properly applying these principles in the early stages of a project’s timeline, operational risks can be eliminated or greatly reduced and, as an additional benefit, total project costs can likely be reduced through elimination of project scope. Application of Inherently Safe Principles can also reduce operating costs through elimination of installed safeguards and their associated life cycle maintenance costs.