A New Look at Operability & Safety Audits

Abstract Management needs to assess that the plant he is responsible for, is operable and operated in a safe manner, in accordance with the best recognized industrial practices. This need exists during all stages of a project, whether it is under design, being just started-up or under operation for some years. The Operability Safety Audit is focused on all parameters having any influence on the overall plant safety. It is achieved through qualitative evaluations of the safety level by : 1.Identifying the standards/practices used for the project, the main areas of risks and vulnerability, the hazards and the potential accidents associated with the plant operation. 2. Evaluating the strenghts and weaknesses of the facilities and the ways they are operated. 3. Determining the various recommendations and their order of priority necessary for decreasing the hazards/risks affecting personnel and equipments, down to a level in line with good industrial practices. 4. Insuring that the whole safety effort of the operating organization is meaningful and effective, and that the Company objectives are understood by all. When required a Safety Audit can be supported by HAZOP (Hazard Operability Study) and HAZAN (Hazard Analysis Study) geared to identify specific hazards and to determine their magnitude and probability. This will provide the Management with a base reference line for future evaluation and for the monitoring of all safety efforts. The efficiency of such a method will be illustrated by describing successful operation of LNG/LPG receiving exporting facilities.