Stakeholders’ awareness of inherent safety design strategies within project life cycle model

Abstract

The application of Inherent Safety Design (ISD) principles to every stage in a process lifecycle has been established as capable of reducing risk and economically appealing for process plant. Nevertheless, several options available are distinct at different phases of project lifecycle. This study examines the need for methodical risk management approach and the level of awareness in adopting ISD strategies among South African energy utility ect Life Cycle Model (PLCM) approach. The study adopts a quantitative research approach using a structured questionnaire among a focus group to investigate their perceptions regarding the integration of the ISD concept with risk review techniques in order to identify inherent risk management principles used by project initiators. A total of 500 questionnaires were administered to the identified stakeholders and 127 responses were obtained, of which 81 were valid for analysis. This amounts to a response rate of 16.2%. The data was analysed using descriptive and non- parametric statistics. The research reveals poor awareness or knowledge regarding the ISD strategies among the stakeholders, and evidence of an increase in scope changes and production losses when appropriate ISD strategies and techniques are not used on the project. It was concluded that design engineers, more than other stakeholders, have to apply ISD strategies at every stage in the construction lifecycle of a process plant.