Director (Refineries) inaugurates PSM National Seminar by Kochi Refinery
25 Nov 2019 | BPCL
“Process safety and improvements and innovations in Mechanical Integrity and Quality Assurance, are key factors in improving reliability and operational excellence,” said Mr. R Ramachandran, Director (Refineries).
Inaugurating the 2nd National Seminar on Process Safety Management ; Vistas on Asset Integrity & Contractor Safety organised by Kochi Refinery, Mr. Ramachandran also stressed on the importance of Contractor Safety, as contractors are an integral part of refinery operations and maintenance. He inaugurated the seminar in the presence of Mr. Lalit R Gabhane, Director General, National Safety Council of India, Mr. Prasad K Panicker, ED I/c, (Kochi Refinery) and Mr. C J Iyer, ED I/c (Mumbai Refinery).
Mr. Gabhane, Director General, NSCI, delivered the keynote address where he appreciated the initiatives of Kochi Refinery for propagating the importance of safety. He also assured full support and cooperation for enhancing the scope and reach of such seminars to empower more PSM practitioners. Mr. Prasad K Panicker, who presided over the function, shared about the PSM journey and the vision of transforming Kochi Refinery as one of the safest places to work. Earlier Mr. Babu Joseph, CGM(HSE) welcomed the gathering. Mr. C J Iyer, felicitated and Mr. M K Ramachandran, GM (PSM) proposed the vote of thanks at the inaugural ceremony.
The seminar at BPCL Learning Centre, Kochi on 8 November 2019 served as a platform for experts in Process Safety and Operators of Petroleum Refineries in India to deliberate on crucial areas of asset design, installation, operations and maintenance throughout its life cycle. The ever increasing role of contractors in managing the units and assets also mandates higher focus on contractor safety. The seminar that intended to propagate Process safety as a stimulant for Operational Excellence, Reliability and Innovation had nominees from BPCL group Refineries, Safety & Engineering consultants, PSM experts and PSM professionals from private sector refineries.
Experts from Refineries, Consultants and IIT Professors were amongst the distinguished speakers. Presentations and experience-sharing also made the platform relevant to participants that included process engineers, safety engineers, asset integrity managers, process safety managers and heads of operations.
In addition to appreciating Process Safety Management from different perspectives, the seminar also aimed at adding momentum to the PSM Vision 2020 which is in its last phase of implementation at Kochi Refinery.