Development of a Comparative Framework for identifying the Optimal Process Safety Management (PSM) System using a Hybrid AHP-PROMETHEE Model.

Abstract

Process safety (PS) is a disciplined framework for managing hazards in high-stakes industrial sectors, such as oil and gas, chemicals, and manufacturing, where it serves to prevent catastrophic fires, explosions, and toxic releases. While a robust Process Safety Management (PSM) system is essential for protecting human life, the environment, and corporate assets, the modern landscape offers multiple frameworks with varying components and scopes. This study addresses the challenge of system selection by developing a comparative framework grounded in Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) models. A hybrid approach integrating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMETHEE-II) was developed to facilitate these comparisons. In this model, AHP is employed to quantify the relative importance of safety criteria, while PROMETHEE-II provides a rigorous outranking of the PSM systems. To ensure practical validity, five process safety experts were recruited to determine the weighting factors and perform the evaluations across four contemporary PSM systems. The results indicate that the Integrated Process Safety Management System (IPSMS) is the most reliable framework among those studied, as it offers the most comprehensive coverage of critical safety elements. This hybrid model provides a structured, data-driven decision tool for industries seeking to optimize their safety protocols.

Keywords: Process Safety, Management Systems, AHP, PROMTHEE-II

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007922