Abstract
M.Com. (Business Management)
The chemical industry is associated with high risk to the safety and health of personnel and the environment. However, the macro-environment expects the safe operation of chemical plants. In particular, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Act No. 85 of 1993, regulates safety in the industry. Management are exposed to the transgression of this law, even unwittingly, unless an integrated safety management system ensures the necessary planning, organising, leading and control for the safe operation of plants.
While line management is ultimately responsible for the safety of chemical plants, the responsibilities of line management must be clearly defined to ensure continuity in the
management of safety. Furthermore, the input of every worker is necessary to ensure that safety management is a process of continuous improvement.
Knowledge of the processes associated with any specific plant is of primary importance for the safe operation thereof. This includes all information related to the operation of the plant, as well as design data and operational limits. The risks associated with the process and the operating procedures must be properly communicated to personnel. Plant operation must be within design limits, and the dangers associated with exceeding these limits must be well understood. As technology improves, process safety information must be updated regularly.
While it is the objective to have an accident free record, it is imperative to identify possible emergency scenario's, and to give the necessary training to effectively control the impact that an emergency situation can have on the business and its staJceholders.
Safety management includes the responsible operation of units with regard to the environment.
In order to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all personnel, the legal
requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Act No. 85 of 1993, and all the
regulations in terms of the Machinery and Occupational Safety Act, Act No. 6 of 1983, must be met. The ever-changing needs and requirements within a chemical plant require control of all the changes that can result in unsafe acts and conditions. Maintenance work, work on protection systems, start-ups after major maintenance work and plant modifications arc considered changes with high enough risk factor to control these actions.
The safety of persons other than persons at work, and in particular contractors, are the
responsibility of line management. Effective training of contractors to ensure their safe
conduct while performing their duty or during emergencies, are therefore necessary.
Proper control systems are needed to ensure the correct and timeous fulfilment of safety
requirements. Management information systems must be designed to audit deviations from standards, but also to point out the correctness of systems, thus providing proof of
management participation in the improvement of safety standards.
In order to have a competent and effective workforce, the necessary training of workers with regard to safety must be given. Line management must be appraised on their input to ensure an effective safety management program, and not only on the results. Rewarding the individuals for their contribution in this field, would ensure a strong and continuous effort toward a high safety standard.
No safety management system can be successful unless strong leadership and a safety culture exists in the plant. Furthermore, the participation and involvement of every employee is needed to ensure continuous improvement in safety standards. Safety management must be a key performance area of every line manager, to protect both the business and its most valuable asset, namely the workers.