Page 13 - Suncor 360 - May-June 2015

safety transformation
process safety maturity, applying key lessons learned from the incidents and developing standards and processes aimed at preventing similar incidents.”
Following the merger, Doug took charge of the team responsible for promoting and championing process safety at Suncor.
“In 2009, Technical Services began developing and implementing Suncor process safety and maintenance standards. A couple years later, with the push toward implementing our Operational Excellence Management System (OEMS) company- wide, we started work to embed process safety into OEMS.
“Not all of OEMS is focused on process safety, but all process safety standards and initiatives are now encapsulated within OEMS. Our management system is key to moving us continuously forward on our operational excellence journey.”
What gets measured gets managed
Looking back over the 10 years since the fire, Doug sees two fundamental shifts in the way we approach process safety.
“OEMS is a biggie,” he says, “as it establishes clear governance to ensure standards are defined, implemented and enforced.
“Another step forward is our emphasis on metrics like process hazard analysis actions, management of change actions, operating procedure reviews overdue. These leading metrics are generally
seen as a precursor to the direction something is going.
“Looking ahead,” says Doug, “we need
to ensure that strong safety performance doesn’t lead to complacency – the dangerous notion that ‘Nothing’s happened recently, so we’re safe.’ We need always to maintain a healthy sense of vulnerability.”
Mike MacSween agrees.
“Everyone should be proud of the progress we’ve made on our journey to operational excellence over the past 10 years, yet no one should forget that the work we do will always have inherent risks.”
Mike MacSween
This 2005 photo shows parts of the upgrader encased in ice from the water used to extinguish the blaze.
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The role of operational discipline
Processes and standards are crucial, but how we apply them matters most. In this regard operational discipline is key. Even the most stringent standards and processes count for nothing if people don’t seek knowledge and understanding, adhere to procedures, use a questioning attitude to surface problems, expect accountability and collaborate.”
– Mike MacSween, EVP Major Projects
How are process safety and personal safety different?
Personal safety is generally about the here and now. It’s about your own safety and that of the team around you as you tackle the work at hand.
Process safety – The consequences of poorly practised process safety are often felt down the road, far removed from the underlying cause of the incident. Sometimes it can take weeks, months or years before we see the damage caused by the use of an improper part or poorly planned procedure.