Conduct of Operations (RBPS Element 15)
Day to day operating discipline across shift handover, alarm response and abnormal situation management
Conduct of Operations
(RBPS Element 15)
Conduct of Operations is the daily operating discipline that converts your formal PSM system into actual safe operation. It governs how shift teams hand over, how operators respond to alarms, how abnormal situations are managed, how unit walks are conducted and how communication discipline is sustained between the control room and the field. The element does not have a separate OSHA PSM clause but it is the operating level expression of nearly every other element, and CCPS RBPS Element 15 addresses it as a distinct programme. The Naval Reactors model, with its discipline of formal communication, repeat back protocol and integrity in reporting, is the canonical reference. Both Texas City and Buncefield carried conduct of operations findings around shift handover failures and inattention during alarm floods.
How the study is executed
A structured, facilitated process that runs from scope definition through close out and produces defensible, actionable outputs.
Observe current shift practice, handover, alarm response, walk downs, communication, benchmark against CCPS / ASM / Naval Reactors model.
Build formal handover checklist, process status, ongoing PTW, alarm patterns, MOC in progress, abnormal situation history, signoff required.
Align with EEMUA 191 / ISA 18.2 priority response time, specify operator action per priority, integrate with HMI per ISA 101.01.
Adopt Abnormal Situation Management framework, situation awareness, decision support, escalation paths, align with operator workload analysis.
Three way communication protocol, instruction / repeat back / confirmation, phonetic alphabet for critical readings, integrate with shift culture.
IOW response per API RP 584, operator authority to act within envelope, engineering escalation for excursion.
What the study covers in full
Outcomes of Conduct of Operations (RBPS Element 15)
- Catches the pattern of shift handover failure
- Operator alarm response that matches priority
- Abnormal situations managed before they escalate
- Communication discipline that prevents misinterpretation
- CCPS RBPS Element 15 evidence
- Alignment with the ASM Consortium framework
- Alarm response to EEMUA 191 and ISA 18.2
- The Factories Act 41B operational requirements met
- A lower nuisance alarm rate
- Better unit performance through walk down discipline
- Sharper coordination within the shift team
- Faster recovery from abnormal situations
- Lower incident cost through operating discipline
- Production protected through faster recovery from abnormal situations
- A strong position with insurers through the quality of the discipline
- Reduced operator error
Codes & standards we work to
Triggers that signal the need
Where Conduct of Operations (RBPS Element 15) applies
Wellheads, separators, gas compression, FPSO topsides, produced water systems.
Distillation columns, reactors, heat exchangers, storage spheres, LPG handling.
Cryogenic exchangers, liquefaction trains, BOG compressors, storage and sendout.
Reactive systems, batch reactors, solvent handling, runaway reaction scenarios.
Boilers, HRSGs, steam headers, hydrogen systems, ammonia SCR units.
Sterile vessels, CIP/SIP, pressure fermenters, solvent recovery, spray dryers.
Tangible deliverables
- An operating discipline audit and gap report
- A standardised shift handover checklist
- An alarm response procedure by priority
- An abnormal situation management programme charter
- Three way communication training and protocol
- An integrity operating window response procedure and an operator authority matrix
Ready to start your project?
Speak with our team to scope an engagement tailored to your facility, regulatory context, and lifecycle stage.