Chapter 5 de® nes the procedure evaluation criteria and assists in developing a list of criteria for writing effective procedures. Various check-lists are provided which procedure writers can use to improve and maintain procedure effectiveness. The next chapter discusses factors which need to be taken into account when identifying and writing procedures for abnormal or emergency conditions. The key message is that if emergency procedures are correctly written and properly followed they may prevent a process upset from escalating into an emergency.
Chapter 7 discusses the importance of procedure control and the basic requirements to access, review, approve, control and maintain procedures. The ® nal chapter looks at the procedure development costs and the return on investment. It also discusses the importance of procedures in a successful process safety management system. The Appendices provide useful information on various legislatory requirements, although mainly American. Various procedure criteria check-lists and sample procedure formats are also given.
In conclusion, the book is quite a useful tool for personnel involved in procedure development, although I ® nd the cost rather expensive. I believe this book achieves its stated objectives and should be considered a worthwhile addition to any process plant reference library.