17 Aug 2010
The Chemical Industries Association (CIA) announced a new partnership with the National Skills Academy Process Industries (the Academy) to address the issue of Process Safety Management. Following incidents at Buncefield, Texas City and the ongoing investigation of the fatal explosion and oil spillage in the Gulf of Mexico, the Regulatory Authorities will increasingly require employers in major hazard industries including chemicals to provide a clear demonstration of organisational competence in the area of Process Safety Management, particularly at Board and Senior Management level.
Following incidents at Buncefield, Texas City and the ongoing investigation of the fatal explosion and oil spillage in the Gulf of Mexico, the Regulatory Authorities will increasingly require employers in major hazard industries including chemicals to provide a clear demonstration of organisational competence in the area of Process Safety Management, particularly at Board and Senior Management level.
The creation of a specialist Skills Network to focus on Process Safety Management will provide employers with the confidence that any training undertaken is high quality, based on externally verified standards and fit-for-purpose.
The Academy is now seeking Expressions of Interest from training providers and consultants to join the CIA and the Academy to establish the specialist network to:
• Build on established best practice to identify and benchmark Process Safety Management development needs
• Work with industry and Cogent, the Skills Council for the Chemicals Industry, to establish national Training Standards for Process Safety Management
• Ensure a modular delivery model to meet the needs of both SMEs and large national / international businesses
Phil Jones, CEO of the Academy said, “the new national Training Standards will underpin the key competences for Process Safety Management. This will undoubtedly help towards improving safety in the UK Process Industry. ”
Ian Travers from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said, “the HSE is keen to support the development and delivery of training and coaching for Board members and senior managers in process safety and process safety leadership. We also place great emphasis on improving the competence and skills of staff at all levels within chemical and processing industries…”
Steve Elliot, CEO the CIA added, “our own strategy for Responsible Care® requires that companies continuously improve their performance related to the safety of their sites, the health of their employees when at work and the impact of their operations on the environment...we are delighted to build on our existing relationship with the Academy and Cogent SSC to work together to develop this specialist network”.
Training providers and consultants who would like to join the CIA and Skills Academy in developing the Process Safety Management Network should contact the Academy on 01325 740 900.
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