Process Safety Site Assessments (PSSAP®)
As part of the industry’s ongoing commitment to continuous process safety improvements, API, in collaboration with industry partners, has developed a Process Safety Site Assessment Program (PSSAP). This program will primarily involve the assessment of a site’s process safety systems by independent, credible, third party teams of industry-qualified process safety expert assessors.
Process Safety Site Assessment Program
Through the use of industry developed protocols, the process safety site assessments will evaluate both the quality of the written programs and the effectiveness of field implementation. The following is the list of the process safety areas that will be evaluated:
- Process Safety Leadership
- Operating Practices
- Mechanical Integrity (focused on fixed equipment)
- Safe Work Practices
- Management of Change (MOC)
- Process Hazards Analysis (PHA)
- Facility Siting
- Product Storage & Transfer
- Incident Learning
- Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) Alkylation/API RP-751
- NEW: Safeguards (available if completing PHA protocol)
Read More About Our Protocols and Request a Copy.
The assessment protocols include a method to score the effectiveness of the implementation of the separate components of the process safety programs. The assessment team will identify observations that the site should consider further as well as practices that the site executes and/or manages well. The assessment final report will not provide written recommendations.
The Process Safety Site Assessment Protocols are not intended to:
- replace or be interpreted as industry standards or recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices;
- provide a definitive, required, and/or prioritized list of site requirements;
- provide a detailed review of OSHA PSM requirements; or
- replace sound engineering judgment of each site on the appropriate steps it should take to ensure safe operation.
Each site is responsible for ensuring that its own standards, practices, and procedures comply with all applicable requirements and are appropriately suited for the site specific operating environment.
The Process Safety Site Assessment Program (PSSAP) will be implemented and managed by the API Global Industry Services (GIS) Department.
Inquiries regarding having your site assessed as a part of this program can be made to PSSAP@API.org or submitted via the online PSSAP Assessment Request.
For information about becoming an assessor, please see the Assessor Qualification Process and Assessment Team Member or Assessment Team Leader qualification requirements.
Developed in collaboration with industry partners
To request additional information, begin by submitting the form linked below.
The following is the list of the process safety areas that are assessed by the use of each protocol*:
- Process Safety Leadership
- Operating Practices
- Mechanical Integrity (focused on fixed equipment)
- Safe Work Practices
- Management of Change (MOC)
- Process Hazards Analysis (PHA)
- Facility Siting
- Product Storage & Transfer
- Incident Learning
- Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) Alkylation/API RP-751
- NEW: Safeguards (available if completing PHA protocol)
Note: The Process Safety Site Assessments ARE NOT intended to be compliance audits (with the exception of the HF alkylation/API RP 751 protocol)
To request additional information, use one of the following methods:
- Contact: pssap@api.org
Industry-recognized Site Assessments are only those organized and directed through the Process Safety Site Assessment Program managed by API.
The Process Safety Site Assessment Protocols are not intended to:
- replace or be interpreted as industry standards or recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices;
- provide a definitive, required, and/or prioritized list of site requirements;
- provide a detailed review of OSHA PSM requirements; or replace sound engineering judgment of each site on the appropriate steps it should take to ensure safe operation.
*At this time, the protocols are only being provided to refining and petrochemical sites. For more information, please contact us at pssap@api.org.
PSSAP Focused is API's new addition to the Process Safety Site Assessment Program. The program is a tailored design to cover the 7 original protocols and address key process safety activities in a shorter time frame. API wants to better serve small refining sites, petrochemical, and chemical facilities because improved operations in the protocol areas are vital for facilities of all sizes. PSSAP Focused will help lead to better process safety performance and improved industry safety around the world.
PSSAP Focused utilizes smaller assessment teams and fewer protocol questions, outlined below:
API and the PSSAP assessors understand the importance of improving operations in the protocol areas, leading to better process safety performance, and improved industry safety around the world. PSSAP Focused will help facilitate smaller refineries, petrochemical, and chemical facilities to take part in the program.
| PSSAP General | PSSAP Focused | |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment Team Members | 7 | 4 |
| Assessment Days On Site | 5 | 3.5 |
| Weighting | 1 to 4 | None |
| Scoring | 0 to 4 | Red, Yellow, Green |
| Benchmarking | PSSAP General Sites | PSSAP Focused Sites |
| Assessor Interaction | Yes | Yes |
Read more about PSSAP Focused.
The Process Safety Site Assessment Protocols are not intended to:
- replace or be interpreted as industry standards or recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices;
- provide a definitive, required, and/or prioritized list of site requirements;
- provide a detailed review of OSHA PSM requirements; or
- replace sound engineering judgment of each site on the appropriate steps it should take to ensure safe operation.
Each site is responsible for ensuring that its own standards, practices, and procedures comply with all applicable requirements and are appropriately suited for the site specific operating environment.
The Process Safety Site Assessment Program (PSSAP) will be implemented and managed by the API Global Industry Services (GIS) Department.
Inquiries regarding having your site assessed as a part of this program can be made to PSSAP@API.org.
For information about becoming an assessor, please see the Assessor Qualification Process and Assessment Team Member or Assessment Team Leader qualification requirements.
The Quality is in the Team
“You cannot fool these assessors – they have done your job for 30 years”
The assessors who make up our process safety site assessment teams have an invaluable amount of experience, which results in "world class" assessments for your facilities.
Our hand-picked assessors have an average of 35 years process safety experience in the refining and petrochemical industry, and are recognized as leading experts in their respective fields. So, in addition to unparalleled assessments, the mentorship that the assessors bring to your site is priceless.
If you are interested in applying to become a PSSAP Assessor, please contact us at pssap@api.org
