On a site with major accident hazards, a piece of equipment may do more than support normal operations. It may form part of the protection against an event with serious consequences.

Understanding that role changes the questions asked about its condition. The team needs to know what the equipment must do, how its performance will be assured and what happens if it cannot meet that standard.

Barrier management links individual assets and activities back to the major accident risks they help control. This gives maintenance and engineering teams clearer context when deciding how equipment should be maintained and assured.

PSW uses barrier management within its asset integrity work, including Bow Tie analysis around Major Accident Events, identification of barrier elements and the development of performance standards and assurance activity.