Process Safety

Process Safety Management (PSM) is a system for managing process safety associated with highly hazardous chemicals. In the U.S., OSHA's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard is the main regulation to reduce and/or eliminate hazards related to potential chemical or hydrocarbon releases. Regulatory authorities in some non-U.S. countries maintain similar standards.

Marathon applies PSM principles in its operations worldwide, both in government-regulated facilities as required and in facilities that are not covered by host government regulations. In the U.S., 12 Marathon facilities, including refineries, natural gas plants, terminals and a chemical plant, are subject to OSHA's PSM standard. U.S. Gulf of Mexico operations comply with U.S. Minerals Management Service regulations similar to OSHA PSM.

Marathon focuses on preventing process safety incidents by designing appropriate safety systems into processes and equipment, operating according to established procedures, applying safe work controls, maintaining equipment, employing management of change, learning from incidents, being prepared for emergencies, assessing and improving performance, and involving workers. These practices are formalized in the Marathon PSM Standard.

To comply with government regulations and Company policy, Marathon has a three-tiered auditing program for regulated facilities. The tiers include internal audits, compliance audits generally performed by a third party and management system audits. All regulated facilities are expected to conduct formal internal audits or inspections on a three-year cycle.