Managing of Training for Environmental Protection and Safe Operation of Process Plant

About 30 – 40% of major accidents in process industries are due to human error and lack of training. These major accidents had caused high fatalities, huge properties and environmental damage. One of the key contributing factors that could prevent these accidents is to provide appropriate training to the plant personnel. However, accidents still can happen if training is poorly manage and improperly train personnel handling the operation of the plant. It is well known that the management of training is a requirement in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Process Safety Management (PSM) CFR 1910.119(g) for process industries. The PSM is currently adopted by many developed countries in Europe and also follow by many developing countries including Malaysia. Even though PSM is recognized by industries as the best for prevention of major accidents in process plant, but they are still struggling to comply with the PSM standard due to lack of effective implementation technique. This paper presents a strategy on how process industries could manage the training for their personnel effectively at the same time could comply with OSHA PSM CFR 1910.119(g). The framework developed based on OSHA PSM CFR 1910.119(g) as a guideline for easy implementation in process plant. OSHA PSM CFR 1910.119(g) focuses on management of training and documentation requirements. OSHA PSM CFR 1910.119(g) allows the employer to determine the amount and depth of training needed for both initially and on refresher basis. This standard will maintain high quality of knowledge and plant operation is maintained by retraining the plant personnel. The proposed framework consists of employee profile, training profile, training evaluation and training documentation that should comply with OSHA PSM CFR 1910.119(g). The application of this concept with the assistance by computer technology for managing and communicating the information of training perhaps could protect the environment and ensure safe operation of process plant.