Major hazards sectors more alike than they think
May 1st 2008 Over 200 leaders from the major hazards sectors met last week to share best practice and learning on process safety.
Led by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the initiative created the opportunity for leaders to share good practice and learning from incidents such as those at Texas City, Buncefield and the Thorp plant in Sellafield at its ‘Leading from the top- avoiding major incidents’ conference.
The message from HSE Chair, Judith Hackitt was: "In each of your sectors there is a tendency to view your problems as unique but as the industry regulator we have the opportunity to bring a different perspective...and you are much more alike than you think.
"We have seen similarities in the messages, concerns, challenges and problems discussed today. It’s clear that there is much to be gained by further collaborative action across the sectors but the success of the day lies in what takes place next. If nothing changes as a result of the discussions today – it will be more than a pity, it could well be a tragedy. We in HSE will continue to give high priority in working with you in the major hazards industries but we are calling upon you to take the lead. Tell us how we can best support you."
Key themes that emerged from the conference include:
Process safety cannot be managed from the boardroom, senior managers need to walk the talk and listen to the frontline staff
We cannot assume that everyone understands what process safety is and why it is so important in managing the major hazards business
Interest in a CEOs forum to share good practice and knowledge transfer in the spirit of business competition
Strong support for a robust, real but practicable peer review process
Key performance indicators are a vital tool in helping industry manage its process safety
There are similarities in the challenges faced by all sectors in the major hazards industry. Issues such as increasingly ageing facilities, some well beyond originally expected operating life ageing; skills shortages in key trades and professions; cost and production pressures; balancing varied and often conflicting priorities; massive change of ownership are a common across major hazards industries. A significant challenge for leaders is creating a long term sustainable safety culture in the industry. Leadership credibility takes a long time to build but can be lost in an instant.
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