Recognizing Change

So, how do you determine which work orders fall into what category? The first place to start would be with a firm understanding of the definitions.

• Change is an alteration or adjustment to any component, variable or property within an existing system (except those within clearly defined boundaries or responsibilities).
• According to the OSHA standard, changes that require management are defined as “any change (except replacement-in-kind) to process chemicals, technology, equipment, and procedures; and changes to facilities that affect a covered process.”
• A simple definition used in plant awareness training is – “If new equipment is not previously documented or procedures are not already written, then it is a management of change issue.”

Some examples of change are:

• changes that alter production rates
• changes involving safety relief or vent systems
• deteriorating materials
• Facility changes made to significantly increase storage capacity of a hazardous chemical
• New tools and equipment
• Changing the method or control scheme of an instrument loop
• Alterations to protective equipment systems – eg. changes involving safety relief or vent systems