Supporting safety studies

Guidance Note Title Supporting Safety Studies
Principal Audience This guidance note forms part of a suite of five guidance notes which are designed to help operators through the process of conducting a formal safety assessment in support of the evidence that risks are reduced to a level that is ALARP. These guidance notes will be of use to those with responsibility for planning and developing the facility safety case, and those involved in ongoing risk management through operations and maintenance of control measure performance standards. This suite comprises the following documents:
  • Hazard Identification
  • Supporting Safety Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • ALARP
  • Control Measures and Performance Standards
Core Concepts
  • There is a direct requirement in OPGGS(S) for a fire and explosion risk analysis, and for an EER analysis.
  • The hierarchical approach of risk management should be followed; studies should not concentrate on mitigation measures alone
  • The regulations require that the risks are reduced to ALARP thus the supporting safety studies should not simply assume that industry codes and standards are suitable by default.
  • The demonstrations and evidence required to be in the safety case impose a requirement for transparent and auditable processes for all studies that support the safety case
  • The supporting safety studies should cover the full range of identified MAEs and not simply limited to those that are covered by the specific design of the facility
Current Status NOPSEMA drafting initial document
Next Step NOPSEMA to finalise draft
Timing Planned for open consultation Q3 2011/12
Consultation Process Initial draft by NOPSEMA with technical guidance provided by sample industry group, followed by open consultation via discussion paper on website. Workshop with interested stakeholders planned for Q2 2011/12 contingent on interest.
Draft Document for Consultation Awaiting draft.
Comments Template Awaiting draft.