Reviewing AOMG’s progress in process safety

AOMG had, since 2015 conducted 3 PSM workshops, i.e. “Contractors” in 2015 (Bangkok), “Mechanical Integrity” in 2016 (Melaka) and “Management of Change” in 2017 (Yogyakarta) based on the requests and training needs of AOMG members. By now a number of member companies are in various stages of implementing PSM. Following a visit to PT Unilever Oleochemical Indonesia the previous day to learn how it implemented PSM from its beginning, the workshop on 10/7/18 in Medan was themed “Implementating Process Safety Management.”

This workshop attended by 36 participants from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines was conducted differently this year. Instead of using a PSM expert trainer, each of the sessions was led by its members. This allowed the volunteer leaders to contribute their own expertise and in the break out sessions there was more opportunity to discuss as requested by participants from previous workshops. The day began with Mr John Hall, chairman of AOMG, giving the opening address. He also joined the first break out session after the presentation by Ir KS Qua, AOMG Advisor, where in his paper “Advances in oleochemical processing” he referred to the impact of artificial intelligence on process safety, process and supply chain.

The next presentation on “Contractor Management” was led by Mr Arief Zulkarnain, Head of National EHFS (Environment, Health, Fire & Safety) at PT Soci Mas. He brings with him many years of experience and is a certified auditor & competent person in many areas. He has written two books viz on Safe Behavior and Safety Leadership. In the discussions participants warned against going for the lowest prices. Participants emphasized the need to treat contractors like their own staff with regular contact and skills & competency review.

After lunch Mr Soon Yu Pin, Sr. Technical Manager at Pacific Oleochemicals Sdn Bhd led the session on “Mechanical Integrity”. He is a mechanical engineer by training and holds a 1st Grade Steam Engineer certificate. Participants agreed that whilst the maintenance engineer is responsible, cross functional cooperation and buy-in from all is vital for MI to succeed. There is also a need to keep good & quality records and use them.

Mr Lawrence Law, Production Manager at Natural Oleochemicals Sdn Bhd (a Wilmar company), is also the company coordinator of MOC. He is a chemical engineer with an MBA with experience in refining as well as oleochemicals. He presented on Management of Change. On whether MOC could be made simpler participants voiced that it has to be ‘complicated’ because the change must be analysed. On change of people in critical jobs whilst it was usually focussed on operators and technicians, managers should not be forgotten.

In the feedback it is noted that the presentations were well received and the venue & logistics were given top marks. Some feedback from participants:-

- I got some insight of practical thing from other companies that might can be adopted in my company
- Consider to implement some best practice I saw in Unilever and sharing from members
- I'll review our MOC procedure and follow up Maintenance Department and Production Department to identify and define critical equipment

For next year’s workshop which should be held in the Philippines or Malaysia participants voted for Accident Incident Analysis followed by Risk Assessment and Hazard Study (PHA). In the feedback participants also asked to cover areas outside process safety such as energy conservation, waste water, automation and people skilling.

Photos taken from the Day 2 workshop are available for viewing, please click here.