Safety Case Review

The Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MoM) plans to introduce a Safety Case regime for high hazard plants in the Process Industry, using a similar approach to the European Union ‘Seveso’ Directive which has been enacted in the UK as the ‘Control of Major Accident Hazard’ (COMAH) Regulations. This legislation places a high demand on those operating hazardous plants to demonstrate that they have taken ‘all reasonable measures’ to prevent major accidents and limit their consequences.
For sites holding an inventory of dangerous substances above certain thresholds for flammability, toxicity or eco-toxicity, a key requirement is to write a Safety Case. This document presents a demonstration that all Major Accident Hazards have been identified, and that suitable risk controls have been implemented which provide protection throughout the lifecycle of the plant. There needs to be robust management arrangements to support the required level of protection, covering key elements of a Process Safety Management system.

Preparation of Safety Cases in the UK follows detailed guidance from the UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE), which gives key criteria for information to be included in the Safety Case. This requires prescribed information and demonstrations under the headings; Descriptive Aspects, Predictive Aspects, Management System, Technical Measures, Environmental Aspects and Emergency Planning. This course will provide practical guidance on providing this data to a suitable level of detail, outlining the need for a multi-disciplinary team and detailed project programme with key milestones.