3254 Guidance on applying inherent safety in design: Reducing process safety hazards whilst optimising CAPEX and OPEX

Overview:

Traditional process safety approaches have often required ‘add-on’ risk safety systems that are costly to install and maintain for projects. By comparison, inherent safety in design (ISD) provides the opportunity to eliminate hazards or reduce their severity or likelihood by better design, with the potential of reducing overall capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operating expenditure (OPEX).

This publication was developed to increase the understanding of ISD for project managers and leaders as well as provide guidance on the practical application of ISD during the early stages of design. It focuses on inherent safety (IS) improvement options during the design of projects and modifications to existing facilities. It addresses:

•  What is inherent safety?
• What are the benefits of ISD?
• How can ISD be promoted in projects?
•  How can ISD be practically applied during the design stages?

The first edition of this publication (Guidance for safer design of offshore installations: An overview) aimed to reduce the occurrences of adverse findings in design safety cases for the UK offshore oil and gas sector. This second edition is applicable to large and small organisations in the global energy industry including offshore production platforms and onshore facilities.