A well-articulated HSE management system can reduce risks, hazards and accidents to the barest minimum in the oil and gas Industry. When assets, employees and work environments are properly secured and operations are not unduly disrupted, then objectives and targets can be achieved.

The HSE management system integrates the management of Health, Safety and Environment into the management of the business, and is defined as a quality management system for managing risks within the company, to ensure the protection of employees, assets, and reputation The HSE – Management System (HSE-MS) has the following elements:

• Management Leadership and Commitment.
• Policy and Strategic Objectives.
• Organization, Responsibility, Resources.
• Hazards and Effects Management Process.
• Implementation.
• Audit
• Management Review

The important element in the HSE-MS is the hazards and effects management process (HEMP) HEMP is a process for identifying the hazards in an HSE critical activity and the effect, with a view to eliminating or controlling them – to reduce them to as low as reasonably practicable. It is central to the effective implementation of the HSE-MS. Risk is a function of the occurrence of an undesired event together with a measure of its adverse consequence.

Hazards: Hazard is the potential to cause harm, ill health or injury, damage to property, plant, products or the environment, production losses or increased liabilities. Examples of hazards in the oil and gas industry include hydrocarbons under pressure, objects at height, electricity, toxic substances, noise, radiation, and working at heights.

Effects: This is defined as either the consequence of not managing hazards, for example; loss of control, or the consequence of an unintended release. An effect is usually an adverse effect either on the health or safety of employees or the public. The basis of HEMP is the key principles of Identify, Assess, Control and Recover. (IACR).

HEMP can be implemented at any point in the life cycle of a facility or operation. When planning the development of new facilities, or reviewing existing ones, the focus is on identification and assessment of hazards and effects that may be avoided, reduced or eliminated. In Operational and maintenance phase, the focus is on control of hazard and effects by procedures and the development and implementation of effective recovery preparedness measures.