SafeGuard PSMPSM Consulting
OSHA 1910.119Free PSM Resource
Fast-turnaround process safety gap assessment for acquisitions, mid-construction ownership transfers, and PE firm investments in PSM-covered facilities. Written report. Prioritized action plan. Fixed fee.
Request a Scoping Call See What We AssessA standard environmental and safety due diligence review checks OSHA recordable rates, environmental compliance, and general safety programs. It does not assess whether a PSM program is actually functional — whether PHAs are current, whether mechanical integrity records are complete, whether MOC procedures are being followed, whether the SIS has ever been proof-tested.
PSM deficiencies are invisible until they produce a citation, a process safety incident, or a failed audit. If you acquire a facility with a broken PSM program, you own the liability from day one — including liability for conditions that predated your ownership.
This is a niche with almost no specialized service providers. We've built our careers in process safety. We know exactly what to look for.
Private equity firms acquiring PSM-covered chemical, refining, or gas processing facilities. Strategic buyers evaluating facilities mid-construction. Companies receiving project ownership transfer from an EPC. New operators inheriting a facility from a prior owner who may not have maintained the PSM program.
Document review: 3–5 days. On-site visit: 1–2 days. Written report and briefing: within 10 business days of document receipt. We can work within M&A timeline constraints — contact us to discuss your closing schedule.
You're buying a refinery, chemical plant, or gas processing facility that's been running under PSM. The seller's data room has a PSM program document. You need to know if that program is real.
Project ownership is transferring before the facility starts up. You're inheriting a capital project in progress — along with whatever PSM gaps have accumulated during construction.
We assess all 14 PSM elements against the standard, current OSHA enforcement posture, and facility-specific conditions. The result is a written gap register with severity ratings and a prioritized remediation roadmap.
| PSM Element | What We Assess | Common Gaps Found |
|---|---|---|
| Process Safety Information | P&ID currency, equipment specs, chemical inventory documentation | Outdated P&IDs, missing MAWP documentation, incomplete chemical hazard data |
| Process Hazard Analysis | PHA completeness, revalidation schedule, action item closure | Overdue revalidation, action items closed without documentation, wrong methodology used |
| Operating Procedures | Completeness, accuracy relative to current process, certification dates | Procedures describing equipment that no longer exists; unsigned, undated |
| Training | Initial training records, refresher schedule, contractor training | Missing training records, no documented refresher program |
| Contractors | Contractor safety program evaluation, periodic reviews | No contractor safety program on file; host employer responsibilities not documented |
| Pre-Startup Safety Review | PSSR completion for past modifications, documentation quality | MOC-triggered PSSRs missing; signed by unqualified personnel |
| Mechanical Integrity | Inspection schedule currency, overdue inspections, QA/QC records | Inspection backlog, no thickness measurement baseline, undocumented RBI decisions |
| Hot Work Permit | Permit program, records retention, confined space overlap | Missing permit records; no hot work procedure for off-hours work |
| Management of Change | MOC program rigor, change log completeness, P&ID markup | Undocumented process changes; MOC used for admin changes but not process ones |
| Incident Investigation | Investigation quality, root cause methodology, recommendation tracking | Near-misses not investigated; corrective actions not closed |
| Emergency Planning | LEPC coordination, emergency response plan currency, drill records | ERP not updated since last process change; no drill documentation |
| Compliance Audits | Audit frequency, team qualification, finding resolution | Audits done internally with no qualified team; findings not formally closed |
| Trade Secrets / Employee Participation | Employee access to PSM information, consultation documentation | No documented employee consultation process |
Not a checklist. Not a traffic-light dashboard. A substantive written report that tells you what you have, what you don't, and what it will take to fix it.
Every finding documented with the specific PSM standard requirement, current facility condition, severity rating (critical/significant/minor), and potential enforcement exposure.
Findings ranked by risk and regulatory exposure. Short-term actions required before startup or ownership transfer versus longer-term program improvements.
Rough order-of-magnitude resource estimate for closing the identified gaps — useful for purchase price negotiation, escrow structuring, or post-close budgeting.
One-hour call with acquiring team leadership to walk through findings, answer questions, and discuss remediation options. Available in person for complex situations.
Following the assessment, we can remain engaged as the remediation PSM consultant — building missing program elements, completing overdue PHAs, or providing PSM On-Call support during the integration period.
We work within M&A timelines. Tell us your closing date and we'll tell you what's possible. Most assessments can be scoped, scheduled, and delivered within 10–15 business days.
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