Sunoco's Process Safety Management (PSM) personnel perform many activities, such as conducting process hazards analysis (PHAs), running dispersion models, and maintaining process safety information. A company-wide PSM Forum provides direction to facility process safety coordinators and other personnel, addresses emerging issues, and drives consistency for applying process safety management across the facilities. The forum consists of PSM representatives from each business unit as applicable, and the Corporate Risk Management Group.

Sunoco also holds periodic conferences for site PSM coordinators. At these conferences, PSM coordinators from the various facilities discuss current issues, review proposed regulations and standards, and receive training to enhance their expertise in the various aspects of process safety.

During 2008, the PSM Forum’s major activities were the development of PSM standards addressing:

• Risk Approach – Facilities began using a revised standard for Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA) and a new company standard for Risk Assessment Philosophy. These methodologies complement our existing Process Hazards Analysis program by providing a more quantitative approach to risk evaluation.
• Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) – 25 PHA studies were completed by facilities using a new PHA methodology incorporating LOPA and the new Risk Assessment Philosophy standard. These studies were reviewed by a Risk Assessment Philosophy committee to ensure consistency and proper application of the new methodologies.
• Facility Siting – Sunoco continued to work with the American Petroleum Institute to update the industry standard for siting of permanent buildings. Once the industry standard is finalized, Sunoco facilities will review and revise their practices for permanent buildings.
• Incident & Near Miss Definitions – Facilities began utilizing a new standard for defining Process Safety, OSHA PSM and EPA RMP Incidents and Near Misses. This standard applies to all Sunoco facilities that are covered under OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM) or EPA’s Risk Management Program (RMP) regulations. These definitions drive consistency across all facilities, ensure that the incidents and near misses are investigated appropriately, and enable better tracking of incidents and near misses to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Process Safety Metrics - A standard for Process Safety Metrics was implemented in 2008 to provide senior management with consistent metrics across all facilities. The metrics are used to predict future PSM performance (“Leading Indicators”) and measure current and past performance (“Lagging Indicators”).  Revisions to the metrics standard took place at the end of 2008; the revised metrics, compiled in monthly reports beginning in 2009, will foster continual improvement in Process Safety.