台灣地區與美國石化工業製程安全管理技術之比較

A Comparative Study on Process Safety Management Techniques of Taiwan and America's Petrochemical Industry

美國職業安全衛生署（OSHA）針對危害性化學物質運作所頒訂的製程安全法規，因考慮週詳、立法嚴謹，截至目前為止，是化工製程安全頗具體可行的作法。依民國八十二年二月三日公布’勞動檢查法’第二十六條之規定，行政院勞工委員會於民國八十三年五月二日所頒布的「危險性工作場所審查暨檢查辦法」與OSHA相關規定，立法精神與目的均相同，然因國內外工業發展背景及社會對安全認知不同，如何有效推動此辦法，對工業安全主管機關及事業單位，是頗具挑戰性的工作，本文主要係分析與比較台灣地區與美國石化工業製程安全管理發展及執行現況。製程安全管理的理念，與早期工業安全的做法，最大的差異在於技術、製程與人員的整合，製程安全管理是利用管理體系或制度有效的運作，以提昇操作、設計與設備的可靠度，避免化學災害的發生。本文所建議製程安全管理推動策略，即是綜合管理制度的理念及國內石化工業相關制度推行現況之檢討，重點在於倡導利用安全管理的經營理念，以有效防止化學災害的發生，促進我國石化工業健全的發展。

OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM) standard, covering a wide range of industries and activities involving highly hazardous chemicals, has exerted a great impact on the chemical industry in the United States. When coupled with effective management system, PSM can definitely minimize or eliminate the potential of catastrophic chemical disasters. Article 26 of the Labor Inspection Law, promulgated on February 3, 1993, also aims to improve safety standards of operating facilities involving hazardous chemicals. Primary objective of this study is to investigate the essence of process safety management techniques and conduct a qualitative comparison of applications of these techniques between Taiwan and America's petrochemical industry. This paper begins with a review of the elements of the process safety management systems proposed by OSHA, and the Council of Labor Affairs. An element-by-element comparison between regulations of OSHA and the Council of Labor Affairs is also presented. The proposed procedures for application of these management techniques by our petrochemical industry are based on its development background and recent safety audit results conducted by the Council of Labor Affairs. It is believed, based on the findings of this study and international trend, that local petrochemical companies must be committed to full implementation of process safety management for sustainable development and prosperous growth.