Further to the finding on major accidents happening all over again and since many years, DNV has decided to provide an adequate answer to stop this negative trend by building a sound concept and system for managing process hazards. DNV's Process Safety Management system is based on a barrier analysis methodology oriented around the 3 most important barriers: people, plant and process barriers. The isrs7-PSM is designed to help high risk companies to manage their process hazards in a more appropriate and effective way than most companies do today. A specific feature is addressed for companies in the Benelux area, by considering the requirements as used by the Belgian Inspection Authorities such as MES and Seveso Directive, enabling them to assess their compliance level with this international reference framework.
What is Process Safety Management ?
Description of Process Safety Management - Ed. 8
Consequence Modelling & QRA:
For assessing the major risks of an industrial activity where dangerous materials are handled / stored , specific modelling techniques are available. With DNV's PHAST software, dispersion simulations can be carried out for accidental releases of hazardous materials. The models will predict the heat radiation from fires, overpressure levels from explosions and toxic impacts on humans. Detailed assessments of explosion risks - as part of facility siting studies for instance - can be conducted with DNV's "BLAST" tool. This includes a multi energy model approach and the presence of congested areas. "Phast Risk" is DNV's software tool (formerly known as SAFETI), for calculating risk contours & societal risk curves as pert of a full quantitative risk assessment (QRA), which allows for decision making of zoning around industrial activities. For use in the Netherlands only, DNV developed the software tool SAFETINL for QRA's, comprising predefined parameter settings in order to harmonize risk studies.
Information on SAFETINL is provided on : RIVM-NL
Safety Reports:
Companies with an important amount of dangerous substances (so-called "SEVESO-companies in EU-downstream sector) have to submit an extensive safety report to the authorities. Also in case of new land use developments, safety reports are mandatory. To demonstrate the control risk of new developments in the vicinity of high-risk companies. DNV has several approved safety experts "OVR & RVR-deskundigen" to write and issue these reports.
Our safety-reports are approved by the Belgian authorities :
Direction générale des Ressources Naturelles et de l'Environnement pour la Wallonie
Dept. of control of chemical risks (N/Fr)
Hazard Identification Techniques:
Hazard identification is one of the key-elements of SHE risk management system and sound process safety management (PSM). Several techniques are available for the identification of safety, environmental and operational hazards of a process plant. Techniques like HAZOP, SWIFT, bow-tie, LOPA and SIL can be uses in the different stages of the project life cycle to identify and assess these hazards. DNV can facilitate hazard identification studies and support client's organisations in improving its risk management framework.Legal Compliance Assurance :
Companies are being confronted with administrative procedures and difficulties in interpretation of the ever changing environmental and safety legislation. DNV can help business leaders and environmental/safety professionals to better understand and manage applicable environmental and safety laws and policies. DNV has experience in assisting companies in SEVESO related matters, in interpreting the requirements from governmental inspection authorities (e.g. MES, Atex Directive, BRZO audits) and many other compliance issues.
FINANCIAL Risk Assessment:
Financial Risk assessments are an expansion to the standard risk analysis which looks beyond possible fatalities ; This service allows for a comprehensive assessment of all proces related risks, such as business interruption, equipment/asset damage, inventory loss, etc. It gives an overview of the cumulative business risk in financial terms and can be used in decision making processes for new installations, technical changes in facilities and facility siting.