Safety File: Identify Hazards to Control or Eliminate Risk & Maintain Compliance with the Law (HASAW)

December 17th, 2015

This article highlights the importance and function of a Safety File to ensure that your organisation’s corporate image and compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASAW) is maintained. The key is to identify hazards and hazardous events that could happen; then implement safeguards to eliminate or control the risk. As a leading supplier of Safety and Reliability services, Wilde is currently working with SSE Plc to implement a Safety File within the organisation.

Why have a Safety File?

The key elements of having a safety file are identifying meaning and measurement of safety and risk, for example risk metrics, safety targets, demonstrating ALARP and safety assessments.
A safety file ensures that there are systems in place to review documents such as:

1) Risk Assessment’s / Preliminary Hazard Review (PHR), Risk identification reviews (HAZOP / HAZID / ENVID / LOPA) and control.

2) Listing of all hazardous materials (COSHH information). Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), Chemical Exposure Scenario Forms and Compliance Information.

3) Maintenance schedules / Intervals & testing records & key plant items. For example PSVs & testing records of SIL rated valves.

4) Management of change for the modification of existing, additional or removal of redundant equipment. X-reference to concept, design documents and also to 1) above.

5) Schematics / P & IDs (As built) main plant items and of Hazardous utilities & hidden services. Hazardous Area Classification Drawings if sourced, will be included.

6) Risk Controls (Heat / gas detection) for fire & explosion hazards (See 1) above.

7) Environmental reviews & any emission testing / abatement restrictions.

8) Line lists & relevant cause & effects (If applicable).

9) Training records (Permit to Work, Confined Space, Working at Height Etc) & Toolbox Talks.

Function of a Safety File

The safety file information is compiled as an electronic document with an index to cite evidence that a process or system in question meets the applicable legislation. The file should confirm key personnel are in place and that any outstanding safety requirements and targets have been set and are actioned. It should also confirm that hazard analysis has been carried out correctly, the level of residual risk is tolerable, and the safety performance of the asset has been independently assessed.
By implementing a Safety file, your organisation will be able to demonstrate the following:

  • All risks are identified and the necessary measures for the control of risks are implemented; where the environment is just as important as personnel safety and wellbeing.
  • All necessary measures for the management of HASAW are implemented.
  • To independently review the currents documents to establish if any new documents are required to be generated, in order to bridge any gaps from a legislative or legal standpoint.

Wilde Supply Safety File to SSE Plc

Wilde’s, Paul Gornall is currently working with SSE Plc, a British energy company involved in the generation & supply of electricity & gas, the operation of gas & telecoms networks and other energy-related services, to implement a safety file within the organisation.

Mark Roberts, Engineering Manager at SSE comments:

“Paul Gornall attended site to get an appreciation of SSE’s business at Smurfit a 45MW CHP site providing steam and electricity to a paper mill. In order to be prepared in case anything goes wrong it was requested to identify all the documents, process that have gone in the past. Paul was professional in getting the information at the site and has spent time on the computer system to follow up on this. Paul is giving me peace of mind in the fact that if anything goes wrong we will have the information to hand to back up all our safety systems in one location – the safety file.” SSE Plc

For further information how Wilde can help you to implement a safety file for functional safety within your organisation, please contact us.

 

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