Process Safety Review Checklist

The PSR and PHA (Process Hazard Analysis) identifies safety and operability issues and concerns for a
process. The following checklist will assist the Experimental Team in preparing for a PSR and/or PHA..

PHASE I- Preliminary Review

This review assesses and makes safety and operability recommendations regarding the proposed
project. In addition, the Process Safety Review Committee (PSRC) will provide a recommendation for
conducting either a Phase II PSR or a PHA Study (e.g. HAZOP). The Experimental Team may directly
request a PHA study in place of a Phase II PSR.

General Description:
What is the process description and purpose of the unit?
Provide a process sketch, which shows the major equipment and process lines.
What is the life expectancy of this process unit?
General:
Where is the unit to be located?
Are the Chemical Hazards (quantities) consistent with the Building Occupancy Classification?
Do you have the Space Committees approval?
Is any part of the unit outside the building?
Is there adequate access?
What are the escape (egress) routes?
What is the electrical classification of the area?
Will this be a fully attended unit
Number of operating personnel?
Are there any radiation sources involved?
Has this been discussed with the radiation Safety Officer?
Are there any concerns about static electricity?
What special safety requirements are there that are unique to this process/unit?
Process:
What chemicals do you plan to use as feeds?
In what quantities?
Supply Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS's) if available or equivalent information.
How will you handle and where will you store your hazardous feeds?
What path will you use to transport feeds to your unit?
What personnel safety equipment will be required?
Personnel training?
What chemical products and by-products can you make, under normal and abnormal conditions?
In what quantities?
What will your product inventory be?
Is the process reaction classified as a hazardous chemical reaction by:
"Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards" 3rd Ed. by L. Bretherick?
The HSE Compliance Manual?
Note that lack of classification by the above documents does not ensure that the reaction is not
hazardous
Do you consider this process hazardous? Why?
What is the fire hazard of the materials involved based on:
NFPA 704M "Recommended System for the Identification of the Fire Hazards of Materials" and
NFPA 49 "Hazardous Chemicals Data"?
Are there any dangerous properties of the materials involved listed in "Dangerous Properties of
Industrial Materials" 6th Ed. By N. Irving Sax?
Are you aware of any dangerous properties of the materials involved?
At what maximum and minimum temperatures and pressures, both normal and abnormal
conditions, can you operate?
Does this unit operate below ambient temperature and pressure?
Will you operate under normal or abnormal conditions in the flammability region?