Which element of the Process Safety Management system has significant relevance to ISD concepts?

The element of the Process Safety Management (PSM) system that is particularly relevant to Inherently Safer Design (ISD) concepts is the Management of Change. This is because ISD focuses on modifying chemical processes or systems to reduce hazards inherently rather than managing them through controls and safeguards.

Management of Change is essential when any changes to processes, materials, and technologies are made. It ensures that alterations take into account the safety implications of new designs or modifications. When implementing ISD principles, it is crucial to evaluate how changes may lower risks or alter existing hazards, and through a structured Management of Change process, organizations can carefully assess these risks before proceeding. This process includes assessing the safety implications and ensuring that the changes retain or enhance the inherently safer characteristics.

Other elements like Incident Investigation, Operating Procedures, and Training and Performance are also important facets of a comprehensive PSM system, but they focus primarily on responding to, managing, and operating within a system post-hazard identification or incident occurrence rather than integrating safety into the design phase, which is the core of ISD.