Alarm management in the chemical and power industries-a survey for the HSE

This paper is concerned with a research project that is being carried out to survey best practice in the engineering and management of alarm systems in the chemical and power industries. This work is being carried out by Bransby Automation Ltd. under contract to the UK Health and Safety Executive. The key conclusions from this paper are: alarm system performance is very important to plant safety and to the avoidance of incidents that can result in significant financial loss; the survey found significant shortcomings in the alarm systems at a number of the plants that were visited; practical methods exist for improving the performance of alarm systems and these have been proven to work on a number of operating plants; a commitment to invest the necessary engineering and operations resources is key to improving alarm systems at operating sites; and measurable performance targets are a valuable tool in the management of alarm system improvements