Which set of PSM elements most commonly interact with changes?

• A. Management of Change/Incident Investigation/Asset Integrity
• B. Training/Hazard Analysis/Operating Procedures
• C. Procurement/Training/Quality Assurance
• D. Safety Instrumented Systems/Preventive Maintenance/Auditing

Answer: (B)

When a change is proposed, the most direct ways it affects safety are through what people do, what risks the change creates, and how those steps are carried out. Training ensures the workforce understands the new or altered procedures and the safety requirements that come with the change. Hazard analysis identifies any new or changed risks introduced by the modification and determines what safeguards are needed. Operating procedures then codify the exact steps, controls, and responsibilities for the changed process. Put together, these three elements are the primary interfaces through which a change is implemented safely and consistently. Other elements like incident investigation or asset integrity are important to the overall safety program, but they don’t sit at the immediate intersection of planning and implementing a specific change in day-to-day operations.