OSHA PSM(PSM)
Definition
Process Safety Management — OSHA's regulatory standard (29 CFR 1910.119) requiring employers to identify, evaluate, and control hazards associated with highly hazardous chemicals. PSM mandates 14 elements including process hazard analysis, mechanical integrity, management of change, operating procedures, training, and incident investigation.
Context
A regulatory requirement in the United States for facilities handling highly hazardous chemicals above threshold quantities. The mechanical integrity element of PSM directly drives the need for asset integrity management, inspection programs, and change control systems. Reliatic's governance features (MOC, audit trail, inspection management) support PSM mechanical-integrity programmes.
Examples
- A chemical plant uses Reliatic's MOC module to support PSM management-of-change workflows, ensuring that all process modifications are reviewed, approved, and documented.
- The mechanical integrity element of PSM requires that inspection and testing procedures are documented for all process equipment, with records maintained for the life of the equipment.
Applicable Standards
- 29 CFR 1910.119
- EPA RMP 40 CFR 68
- CCPS Guidelines
Related Terms
A systematic process for evaluating, approving, implementing, and documenting changes to process equipment, technology, procedures, or organizational structure that could affect safety, health, environment, or operations. MOC ensures that all changes are reviewed for potential hazards, that appropriate safeguards are implemented, and that affected personnel are informed and trained before the change is implemented.
Audit TrailA chronological record of system activities, decisions, and data changes that provides documentary evidence of the sequence of events that have affected a specific operation, procedure, or artifact. In asset integrity management, the audit trail records who made what change, when, why, and with what authorization, creating an unbroken chain of evidence for regulatory compliance and forensic investigation.
Inspection StrategyThe comprehensive plan that defines what to inspect, how to inspect, when to inspect, and what to look for on each equipment item. An inspection strategy integrates the RBI risk ranking, the identified damage mechanisms, the appropriate NDE techniques, the CML locations, the inspection interval, and the acceptance criteria into a coherent plan that can be executed in the field.
Where this appears in Reliatic
This concept is used in the Reports module.