ISC Process Safety Management 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under PSM, what is the threshold quantity for a flammable liquid or gas in one process (with listed exceptions) that triggers coverage?
- 1,000 pounds
- 5,000 pounds
- 10,000 pounds (Correct answer)
- 25,000 pounds
Correct answer: 10,000 pounds
Processes with 10,000 pounds or more of flammable liquid or gas on site in one location are covered.
Question 2: How frequently must the employer certify that PSM operating procedures are current and accurate?
- Monthly
- Annually (Correct answer)
- Every 3 years
- Every 5 years
Correct answer: Annually
Operating procedures must be reviewed as often as necessary and certified annually as current and accurate.
Question 3: An incident investigation team for a near-miss release must include at least which member?
- A representative from the local fire department
- A person knowledgeable in the process involved (Correct answer)
- An OSHA compliance officer
- The plant's legal counsel
Correct answer: A person knowledgeable in the process involved
The team must include at least one person knowledgeable in the process, plus a contract employee if contractor work was involved.
Question 4: Which equipment category is explicitly covered by the PSM mechanical integrity element?
- Office HVAC thermostats
- Pressure relief and vent systems (Correct answer)
- Parking lot lighting
- Break room appliances
Correct answer: Pressure relief and vent systems
Mechanical integrity covers pressure vessels, storage tanks, piping, relief and vent systems, emergency shutdowns, controls, and pumps.
Question 5: Inspection and testing frequencies under PSM mechanical integrity must be consistent with which of the following?
- The lowest-cost vendor schedule
- Recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP) and prior operating experience (Correct answer)
- Only the OSHA inspector's verbal guidance
- The plant manager's personal preference
Correct answer: Recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP) and prior operating experience
Inspection frequency must follow RAGAGEP and be more frequent if operating experience indicates the need.
Question 6: For PSM compliance audits, how many of the most recent audit reports must the employer retain?
- Only the most recent one
- The two most recent (Correct answer)
- The three most recent
- All audits since the process began
Correct answer: The two most recent
Employers must retain the two most recent compliance audit reports under 1910.119(o)(5).
Question 7: Which PSM element requires the employer to develop a written plan for consulting workers on the conduct and development of PHAs?
- Trade secrets
- Employee participation (Correct answer)
- Emergency planning and response
- Hot work permit
Correct answer: Employee participation
The employee participation element requires a written plan of action and worker consultation on PHAs and other elements.
