Integration of the SASOL Solvents, Secunda SHEQ management system with corporate process safety management

Abstract

Sasol Solvents, Secunda is a leading global supplier of detergent raw materials, fatty alcohols, Hexene, Octene, Penete, detergent ingredients and synthetic high purity aluminas. Sasol Solvents produces ketones, methanol, ethanol, C3 and C4 alcohols, esters, acids, blends and hydro carbons, aldehydes, glycol ethers and acrylates. These products are supplied to Sasol Solvents, Secunda global customers. Sasol Solvents, Secunda exports most of their product to international markets. Sasol Solvents, Secunda implemented ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 due to market pressure to obtain international certification for Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality. In 2004 Sasol Solvents, Secunda integrate their Quality, Environmental and Health and Safety Management Systems. Sasol Limited implemented the Process Safety Management Standards to prevent the release of, or exposure to hazardous substances or their energy (e.g ., spillages, gas releases, fires and explosions) that could result in death or . irreversible health effects, significant property damage, or significant environmental impact. The Process Safety Management Standards were designed to develop the necessary capability, experience and judgment to minimize the frequency and impact of chemical hazards. Sasol Solvents, Secunda must establish and implement written plans for compliance with the requirements of the Sasol PSM Standards in the pertinent areas of their business, while simultaneously complying with the requirements of the existing SHEQ Management System in order to maintain certification. The primary objective of this study is to identify commonalities between the integrated SHEQ Management System (ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001) and the new mandatory corporate initiative called "Process Safety Management (PSM) System" for Sasol Solvents, Secunda in order to integrate the current integrated SHEQ Management System and PSM.

In evaluating the possible integration of the current integrated SHEQ Management System and PSM, a literature review was conducted to obtain a broad overview and key concepts / definitions related to the SHEQ Management System (ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001) and Process Safety Management. This was done to identify SHEQ Management System and PSM elements that can be integrated and to group appropriate elements to propose an unique element numbering system for Sasol Solvents, Secunda. The literature review conducted indicated that objectives were reached in this study and that the Sasol Solvents, Secunda SHEQ Management System and PSM elements can successfully be integrated due the nature of the system requirements . It is a very simple principle, since the Sasol Solvents, Secunda SHEQ Management System is based on the Deming cycle of plan-do-check-act. This principle forms the basis for ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001, and can also be applied to PSM. For effective management and operational control, it was essential to integrate the Sasol Solvents, Secunda SHEQ Management System and PSM elements.