Process Safety Management and
Risk Management
Disasters are avoidable, and with the right process safety management (PSM) and risk management programs in place, your company can gain peace of mind while operating. IronHawk Compliance & Integrity is proud to partner with the energy industry to help hardworking teams maintain safe operations day in and day out.
What Is Process Safety Management?
At its core, process safety management is about preventing disasters before they happen. For industries handling hazardous chemicals, PSM provides a structured framework that safeguards workers, communities, and the environment from catastrophic incidents like explosions, fires, or chemical releases.
Rather than reacting after an accident, PSM is proactive.
Guided by OSHA’s standards, it requires companies to identify risks, develop clear operating procedures, maintain mechanical integrity, train employees, and prepare for emergencies.
By weaving safety into everyday operations, PSM helps organizations reduce downtime, avoid costly fines, and protect what matters most.
For organizations in energy, manufacturing, and other high-risk industries, process safety management training goes beyond compliance; it builds a culture of safety and operational reliability.
At IronHawk, we simplify complex requirements into practical programs that improve performance, protect people, and give leaders peace of mind.
Our Services
PSMS Program Development
Process Safety Management / Risk Management Program
PHA, HAZID, HAZOP Facilitation
PHMSA Part 192/195 Compliance
Integrity Management
OSRP / FRP Development
Risk Management: More Than Just Compliance
At IronHawk, risk management and process safety management training work hand in hand. It’s not just about checking boxes.
Our team’s goal is to protect your team, assets, and the environment while keeping operations reliable and compliant. Our experts identify hazards, assess and prioritize risks using proven methods like PHA, HAZOP, and LOPA, and implement tailored safety controls designed for your industry.
By strengthening processes through audits, emergency response planning, and continuous improvement, our team delivers personalized risk management programs that are effective for your organization. Contact us today for a free consultation.
PSM and Risk Management FAQs
Ensuring safe practices and managing your risks is going to come with questions. Not a problem, as we can help. Here are some of the most common inquiries we hear at IronHawk
How Many Elements Are in Process Safety Management?
Process safety management elements guide companies in reducing risk, preventing incidents, and maintaining compliance. While OSHA mandates 14 elements for regulatory compliance, the Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) expands the framework into 20 elements for a broader, best-practice approach
OSHA’s 14 Elements of PSM:
- Employee Participation
- Process Safety Information (PSI)
- Process Hazard Analysis (PHA)
- Operating Procedures
- Training
- Contractors
- Pre-Startup Safety Review (PSSR)
- Mechanical Integrity
- Hot Work Permit
- Management of Change (MOC)
- Incident Investigation
- Emergency Planning and Response
- Compliance Audits
- Trade Secrets
CCPS’s 20 Elements of Risk-Based Process Safety (RBPS):
- Pillar 1: Commit to Process Safety
- Process Safety Culture
- Compliance with Standards
- Process Safety Competency
- Workforce Involvement
- Stakeholder Outreach
- Pillar 2: Understand Hazards and Risk
- Process Knowledge Management
- Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis
- Pillar 3: Manage Risk
- Operating Procedures
- Safe Work Practices
- Asset Integrity and Reliability
- Contractor Management
- Training and Performance Assurance
- Management of Change
- Operational Readiness
- Conduct of Operations
- Emergency Management
- Pillar 4: Learn from Experience
- Incident Investigation
- Measurement and Metrics
- Auditing
- Management Review and Continuous Improvement
What Businesses Do Process Safety Management Standards Affect?
Process safety management standards from OSHA and the EPA apply to businesses that use, store, or manufacture highly hazardous chemicals above certain threshold levels. While many people associate PSM with chemical plants or refineries, it reaches much further.
Food and beverage facilities using ammonia refrigeration, pulp and paper mills, water treatment plants, utilities, warehouses, and even contractors working near covered processes may fall under these requirements.
The difference between OSHA’s PSM and the EPA’s Risk Management Program is scope: OSHA focuses on protecting employees inside the facility, while the EPA emphasizes protecting surrounding communities and the environment. Some operations are exempt, such as retail facilities, remote sites, or drilling and servicing of oil and gas wells.
At IronHawk Compliance & Integrity, we understand how complex these rules can be. Our team brings decades of experience helping industries from oil and gas to green energy navigate PSM and RMP requirements with programs tailored to their unique risks.
We make compliance practical, effective, and sustainable, ensuring your people, assets, and reputation remain protected throughout a rapidly diversifying energy industry.