Process Safety Management (PSM) is one of the most critical components of an OHS mission. This is Part 1 of a two-part series.
Dekra’s PSM framework is tailored to each client’s specific risks and infrastructure, and there is no generic checklist. Supplied by Dekra
As Dekra celebrates its 100th anniversary globally, locally Dekra Industrial and its adult-based education and occupational skills training division, the DEKRA Institute of Learning (IOL) remain steadfast in their mission: to support safer workplaces across Africa through intelligent, industry-specific training and safety assessments.
Process Safety Management (PSM) is one of the most critical components of this mission: designed not only to safeguard workers and facilities but to create a proactive safety culture which protects lives, infrastructure and the environment.
Process safety versus occupational health and safety
Christopher Mörsner, Head of Training and Consulting at the DEKRA Institute of Learning, notes that there remains a common misconception among companies regarding the distinction between occupational health and safety (OHS) and process safety. “Occupational safety primarily addresses frequent, lower-risk incidents – whereas process safety management focuses on rare but potentially catastrophic events, including explosions or hazardous chemical releases,” Mörsner explains.
PSM involves systematic evaluation and control of hazards linked to chemical processes, dust generation, flammable atmospheres or hazardous by-products. “A single event in process safety can lead to multiple fatalities, widespread property damage and environmental impact,” he says. “It is not just about compliance. It is about foresight, accountability, and building resilience into every operational process.”
Creating awareness through real-world context
Process safety failures are not limited to large-scale chemical plants. Even everyday foodstuffs such as sugar, beer or cornflakes can pose serious risks if the by-products of their manufacturing processes – such as airborne dust or volatile compounds – are not stringently controlled. “Static electricity, poor grounding or non-compliant batching procedures can trigger devastating secondary explosions. These risks are often hidden in plain sight,” Mörsner observes.
He highlights that process safety management is essential across a wide range of industries including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, distilleries, power generation, petrochemical, and oil and gas. In terms of this, Dekra’s PSM framework is tailored to each client’s specific risks and infrastructure, and there is no generic checklist.
Source: Dekra
