Practical tools, guidelines, references, and materials to support effective process safety programs. This page will be updated regularly. Email with other resources to add at jim@psmnews.com.
Recommended Process Safety Books
Here are some of my favorite and recently published process safety books. Click the links below to explore the full lists or individual titles.
- My Favorite Process Safety Books – A curated list with comments on why I recommend them.
- Recent Process Safety Books – Newer titles worth checking out.
- CCPS Book List
Process Safety Regulatory Agencies
- U.S. OSHA Process Safety Management (OSHA PSM)
- U.S. EPA Risk Management Program (EPA RMP)
- U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB)
- Canada Process Safety Management (CCOHS)
- UK Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH 2015)
- EU SEVESO III
CSB Incidents
Guidelines & Best Practices
Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS)
Institution of Chemical Engineering Safety Centre (IChemE)
- Process Safety Competency Guidance (Edition 2) and Supplementary Guide
- Management of Change (MOC) guidance
- Assurance and other safety management documents
- IChemE Safety Centre resources
European Process Safety Centre (EPSC)
- Process Safety Fundamentals (with pictograms and operational principles)
- Process Safety Management – European Practice booklet
- Learning videos and case studies
- EPSC Publications and tools
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- OECD Chemical Accidents Programme – Main portal for all OECD work on chemical accident prevention
- Guiding Principles for Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response (3rd Edition) – The key international reference document
- Corporate Governance for Process Safety – Guidance on leadership and governance responsibilities
- OECD Series on Chemical Accidents – Collection of reports, case studies and best practices
Codes and Standards
Selected key industry codes and standards commonly referenced in process safety management programs.
API (American Petroleum Institute)
- API 520/521 – Pressure Relieving and Depressuring Systems
- API 650 – Welded Tanks for Oil Storage
- API 653 – Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
- API RP 752 – Management of Hazards Associated with Location of Process Plant Buildings
- API RP 753 – Management of Hazards Associated with Location of Portable Buildings
- API RP 754 – Process Safety Performance Indicators for the Refining and Petrochemical Industries
ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
- ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) – Sections I, VIII, and IX
- ASME B31.3 – Process Piping
- ASME PCC-2 – Repair of Pressure Equipment and Piping
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)
- NFPA 30 – Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
- NFPA 68 – Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting
- NFPA 69 – Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems
- NFPA 70 – National Electrical Code (NEC)
- NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code
ISA / IEC
- ISA-84 / IEC 61511 – Functional Safety: Safety Instrumented Systems for the Process Industry Sector
- ISA-88 – Batch Control