Functional Safety 2014

For all involved in functional safety management throughout the entire safety lifecycle, there should be

inclusion within the inherent FSMS processes for a robust competency assessment process with

acceptance criteria for the key roles in the design, engineering and independent verification activities

required of the project deliverables based on knowledge, experience, training and qualifications.

Each of these criteria should be reviewed against the technology selected for the project, the industry

into which the project would be delivered, and the standards themselves. Any shortcomings in

competency are mitigated by peer review, or additional training. Again visibility of this process and the

procedures to be followed should be a cornerstone of a compliant FSMS process.

As the Asset Operator ultimately responsible for the end result, are you confident that the people making

the decisions on your behalf are competent to do so?

Note also that while some organisations claim certification for design and engineering of SIS, ABB has

already gone one better and included the O&M phase activities within their TuV accreditation.

1.7. Conclusion

Compliance to industry good practice standards via the demonstration of third party accredited FSMS

certification should be viewed as a significant strength and desirable requirement by Asset Owners.

Implementing good safety practices should not be viewed as a cost impediment when correctly priced

proposals are returned with FSMS deliverables included (regardless of project physical size and

expected duration).

If Asset Owner/EPC teams can understand the benefits of a FSMS, they will be more likely to request

and specify certificated FSMS requirements in practice and provide a common approach for project

implementation and operations and maintenance excellence so that those responsible for the

management of FSMS within the Asset Owner/EPC project structure ensure that:

There is no ambiguity in what needs to be delivered and to ensure procedures and processes

have a clearly defined function

Ensure project teams within the entire safety lifecycle have a clear definition of how the project

should be executed with respect to O&M innovation/requirements

Ensure everyone within the entire safety lifecycle understand the differentiation and benefits of

accredited FSMS certification to their business

FSMS expectations on SIS deliverables, operations & maintenance, auditing and assessment

become second nature

For increasing levels of SIS assurance, the O&M documentation, competencies and

deliverables should be in alignment with any internal/external stakeholder expectations e.g. in-

company auditing technical specialists and regulatory authorities