A Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is an equipment-oriented technique for identifying system failures and for ranking risk. The method examines the ways in which an equipment item can fail (its failure modes), and examines the effects or consequences of such failures (safety, reliability or environmental performance).

If the criticality of each failure is to be considered, then the method becomes a Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality (FMECA) Analysis.

Emergency Response Planning Guidelines (ERPGs) are widely used by many industries to determine levels of exposure of workers and the public to vapors from toxic chemicals.

Management of BP called the Deepwater Horizon tragedy a “Black Swan”. Investigations into the incident assign root causes to failure of management systems. This knol concludes that the event was indeed a Black Swan, but that such a conclusion does not obviate the need for improving process safety management systems.

This knol discusses the National Emphasis Program (NEP) from the United States Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) for chemical plants. The knol provides guidance as to what should be done to meet this new program.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) created the Center for Offshore Safety in 2011. This organization will work with industry and regulatory bodies to improve safety and environmental performance in offshore oil and gas operations.

Behavior based safety (BBS) is widely used in the process industries as a means of improving safety performance. The system recognizes that people cannot change, but that their behavior can. A BBS program is directed toward that behavior.

Guidance for the development and implement of safety management programs for offshore facilities.

ALARP (As Low as Reasonably Practicable Risk) is a term used by some companies and regulators to provide a framework for deciding on the level of investment needed for safety programs.

Following the Deepwater Horizon incident (April 2010) the agency in charge of offshore safety – the Minerals Management Service (MMS) – was reorganized and renamed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE). In October 2011 BOEMRE was itself replaced by two bureaus: the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE).

Process Risk and Reliability Management is a comprehensive and authoritative book that is based on a wealth of real-world experience. In addition to providing a thorough description of the topics of risk and reliability in the process industries, it provides detailed and practical guidance for all the elements of Process Safety Management (PSM) and Safety and Environmental Management Systems (SEMS).