Solutions to ensure the process safety and machine safety of your facility are a critical component within companies in industry and infrastructure. This is because accidents and incidents are not only a danger to employees but also bring significant consequences such as financial losses and environmental and reputational damage. It is therefore vital that companies focus on the safety of their facilities.
The importance of safety
Investing in plant safety reduces risk and increases quality, all with the end goal of protecting workers and keeping the company operating at its best. Both hardware and software components must be carefully implemented and managed to ensure the quality of an installation. However, many companies are not sufficiently aware of the importance, with the result that they are only confronted with it when the risks are already occurring. By deploying smart safety solutions, they can prevent this and ensure that systems and installations operate safely and reliably.
Making an installation safe follows a set pattern, starting with a safety study. From this, we can distill what the potential safety risks of the installation are. This is done in so-called RIE or HAZOP sessions. The safety study results in recommendations that need to be incorporated into an SRS safety requirement specification that mitigates the risk. Within the services of DWG we can translate the result of a safety study in the field of hardware and software into a feasible design. Below are the 5 tools that form the basis for realizing safe systems and installations.
1. Safeguarding Memorandum
This is a written plan that outlines the measures and procedures necessary to prevent, mitigate or respond to uncontrolled loss of hazardous materials in a process plant. It identifies the hazards associated with the process, potential failure scenarios and critical safety measures that must be in place to prevent incidents. It also provides guidance on emergency procedures, as well as procedures for maintenance, inspection and change control.
The Safeguarding Memorandum is critical to managing process safety risks and ensuring that all necessary measures are in place. It also promotes a culture of improvement and ensures that a plant or facility complies with relevant safety regulations and standards.
2. Hardware Safety Requirement Specification (HSRS)
The HSRS is a derivative of the SRS, which in turn derives from the safety study. That involves a detailed hardwired technical description of how each safety function within the Safety Instrumented System (SIS), or safety system, functions.
It includes information about the functionality, performance and design details of the hardware, including interfaces, components and materials. An HSRS is essential for companies and their engineers because it provides insight into hardware requirements and specifications. It also provides a reference for testing, verifying and validating the hardware and serves as a basis for future modifications or upgrades. An HSRS provides organizations with necessary information that assures them of more effective troubleshooting and more efficient collaboration, significantly reducing security risks.
3. Software Safety Requirement Specification (SSRS)
The SSRS is a derivative of the HSRS arising from the security study. A fundamental service for any organization. It includes a document that describes the safety requirements for software systems, with the goal of ensuring that the software operates safely in its intended environment. An SSRS defines safety-critical functions and the hazards associated with their failure, and provides guidelines for mitigating these hazards through software design and implementation, and testing.
It also includes requirements for verifying and validating the software to ensure that it meets the necessary safety standards. An SSRS is a necessary document for software developers and safety experts because it helps ensure that software systems are designed and implemented in a way that minimizes the risk of harm to users, the environment and the business.
4. Test procedures
Test procedures also play a vital role in maintaining optimal safety in industrial or infrastructure installations. Organizations should therefore have detailed specifications that describe what tests should be performed to assess whether the designed installation works. This prevents misunderstandings about what and how to test.
Components such as a facility’s functional requirements, safety requirements and maintenance state are important in the specifications. Consider testing the emergency stop function, sensors, electrical safety and component wear. By implementing thorough testing procedures and safety protocols, organizations can minimize the risk of accidents.
5. Verification and validation
Finally, verification and validation are important aspects for the security of the SIS. Verification of the SIS involves performing tests to verify that each component of the SIS works as described in the test procedures. Here, it must be ensured that these tests are performed in a structured manner and that the results are recorded. In this way, it can later be demonstrated that the SIS is working correctly.
After verifying the SIS, it is important to validate that the SIS is effective in reducing the risks of the process. This can be done by performing real-life testing. Based on the results of these tests, it can then be determined whether the SIS meets the specified safety requirements.
The right solutions for your organization
All in all, improving plant security is a complex process that requires attention to both hardware and software components. It is essential for organizations to be aware of safety risks and solutions to prevent accidents, environmental and reputational damage, and financial consequences. From Safeguarding Memorandum, SSRS, to verification and validation, each part of the process plays an integral role in achieving successful outcomes.
If you would like to learn more about how you can improve security through smart security solutions, we are here to help. Our experienced consultants can support your company, regardless of sector or size, in optimal safety. Check out our website or learn more about safety using the button below.
