Eric T. Anderson

OE Typical Elements

This chapter lists and explains the intent of typical OE elements (with SHE aspects), e.g., leadership, asset integrity, emergency management and incident investigation, reliability and efficiency, product stewardship, continuous improvement, etc. It also identifies the focus areas for each of these.

OE Objectives and Structure

This chapter highlights the vision, objectives management and arrangements of OE. It discusses how to advise management the need to adopt OE/SHE program, and how to achieve a world-class organizational safety culture. The various stages of a safety culture and building an OE/SHE program from nothing are also covered.

Benefits of Integrated PSM/SMS/SHE and OE Programs

This chapter discusses the mutual benefits of integrating process safety management (PSM)/safety management system (SMS)/SHE and OE programs to avoid duplication, save costs and increase efficiencies. Merging of frameworks (i.e., merging OE framework with SMS, PSM, and/or others), also, called “One-Step Merger.”

Interrelationships between SHE (PSM/SMS) and OE Systems

This chapter compares the similar strategy, elements, and processes of process safety management (PSM) with operational excellence (OE) systems. It shows how PSM/SMS can be easily modified and expanded to cover all of the important focus areas for OE. PSM objectives will typically represent an important subset of operating objectives in any process company’s overall safety management system but they are not by any means the only things a company will be concerned with.

Performing an OE/SHE Gap Analysis

Reviewing an existing management system to determine if OE/SHE adherence is being achieved. How to prioritize action items and initiatives. Graphical portrayal of the gap analysis. Highlights the use of an SWOT analysis template, i.e., a grid, comprising four sections, one for each of the SWOT headings: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

OE/SHE Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Provides typical applicable key performance indicators (KPIs) which are applied for SHE key processes in order to determine their effectiveness. How to select appropriate safety KPIs. Industry practices on KPIs. Specific activities for developing successful process safety KPIs are mentioned and also the limitations of KPIs measurement effectiveness. Examples of graphic representations of KPIs on a “dashboard” are shown.

OE Key Processes and Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Embedding

Identify the key process of each of the operational excellence (OE) elements and where safety, health and environment (SHE) particulars need to be provided. Identify the typical tools needed to achieve the element expectations. Common omissions and errors in preparing OE/SHE programs.

OE Governance and Implementation

Identify how OE systems are typically planned, implemented, managed, monitored, and documented. The administrative processes, protocols, and activities are explained. Cost and time impacts of adopting an OE/SHE Program are also explored.

Assessments and Auditing

How to identify what controls are in place to meet requirements, how to verify controls are applied appropriately and achieving required parameters, and identifying noncompliance in proactive constructive manner a for improved performance. Ranking the evaluations and implementing a tracking program for improvements.

What Is Operational Excellence (OE)

Background of process safety management systems, why they evolved, governmental regulation influence and adaption of operational excellence to encapsulate Process Safety Management (PSM) principles to the focus areas of OE—Reliability, Efficiency, Cost & Profitability and Continuous Improvement.