Questions cont'd - doe-hdbk-1101-20040042

DOE-HDBK-1101-2004

PSI should contain a description of the function and design basis for all ventilation

systems whose purpose is to maintain a healthy environment, particularly when these

ventilation systems are used to maintain a safe haven in the event of a catastrophic

release of a HHC.

PSI should contain a functional description of the safety systems in a covered process.

Safety systems are systems designed to control and maintain a process within safe design

parameters. Examples of safety systems are interlocks, scrubbers, flares, and detection

systems for releases of toxic or flammable chemicals. Workers should know what

protective features exist and how to use these safety systems in an emergency.

Chemical hazard information should contain information on the incompatibility of HHCs

with materials that are known to exist in the workplace. Employees routinely working

with materials commonly found around a covered process should be familiar with the

potential safety and health impacts from inadvertently combining these materials with the

HHC.

44.

Do we have to keep hard copies of all of the PSI or can we use electronic media?

There is no specific storage requirement for PSI or any other documentation created

under the PSM Rule. Any medium may be used as long as the accessibility requirements

are met. However, DOE contractors who use electronic storage media should consider in

advance what they will do when computers used to access this information are

unavailable (e.g., during power failures).

45.

How long must DOE contractors maintain process safety information?

To demonstrate compliance and to meet the intent of the PSM Rule, PSI must be kept for

the lifetime of a process and updated whenever changes other than replacement in kind

are made.

46.

How can a PrHA be used to demonstrate that equipment is designed safely?

The PrHA can be used to perform a sensitivity analysis to evaluate the impacts of using

equipment or facilities which have not been designed to current codes and standards.