Safety Critical Elements and Performance Standards

Learn how to identify, specify, and manage Safety and Environmentally Critical Elements (SECEs) to control major accident and environmental risks across the asset lifecycle. Gain practical skills to define robust Performance Standards, implement assurance processes, and meet regulatory expectations from design through to decommissioning.

Course information

Safety Critical Elements and Performance Standards training is available in the following formats

Two Hour Awareness Module One Day Face-to-Face Course One Day Virtual Course

Delivery

Virtual Course

Level

Intermediate

Certificate

Attendance

Duration

1 day

CPD

7 hours

Learning objectives

Explain the purpose and importance of Safety Critical Elements (SECEs) in managing major accident and environmental risks
Describe the process for identifying SECEs during design, operational modifications, and ongoing operations
Define Performance Standards and explain their role in specifying functional, integrity, availability, and survivability requirements
Describe SECE assurance processes, including inspection, maintenance, testing, verification, and performance monitoring
Understand regulatory expectations and requirements (e.g., COMAH, Offshore Safety Case Regulations, PFEER) regarding SECE management
Identify common challenges, failure modes, and best practices in managing SECEs across the asset lifecycle
Communicate SECE importance, performance status, and assurance gaps to operational, engineering, and leadership teams
Understand the use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and leading/lagging metrics for SECE performance monitoring

Key contents

Introduction to SECEs: definitions, categories, and role in risk management
SECE identification process during design, modifications, and operations
Developing and documenting Performance Standards: functional requirements, integrity, availability, survivability
SECE assurance process: inspection, maintenance, testing, verification, and change management
Regulatory expectations: COMAH, Offshore Safety Case Regulations, PFEER, and industry guidance
Lifecycle management of SECEs: design, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning
Common challenges, failure modes, and best practices in SECE management
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and use of leading/lagging indicators
Effective communication and reporting of SECE status to technical and non-technical audiences
Case studies: lessons learned from SECE management successes and failures

Prerequisites

Experience in oil and gas operations, process safety, or asset integrity management is recommended. Prior knowledge of SECE concepts is helpful but not required.

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