COURSE OVERVIEW:

The management of downgraded situations (DGS) is a critical operational discipline that governs how a facility continues to function when one or more safety-critical elements or integrity barriers are impaired. This course provides a structured engineering and risk-based framework for assessing the viability of continued operations when equipment fails to meet its defined performance standards. Participants will learn how to navigate the complex trade-offs between production continuity and the heightened risk of a major accident, ensuring that all decisions are technically justified and formally documented within a safety case.

The scope of this training involves the systematic identification of "impaired" states across various asset classes, including pressure containment, emergency shutdown systems, and fire protection. Participants will explore the methodology for implementing compensatory measures—temporary mitigations designed to maintain an acceptable level of risk while the primary barrier is being restored. The curriculum emphasizes the legal and regulatory requirement for "ALARP" (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) justifications during DGS events, focusing on the cumulative risk that arises when multiple barriers are simultaneously compromised.

Detailed coverage is provided on the formal DGS lifecycle, from the initial discovery of an anomaly to the final restoration of the asset to its fully healthy state. The course teaches participants how to use risk assessment tools such as the "Bow-Tie" and "Risk Matrix" to evaluate the impact of a downgraded barrier on the overall facility safety profile. By examining historical case studies where poorly managed DGS led to catastrophic failures, attendees will develop the leadership and technical skills necessary to manage operational deviations with transparency, accountability, and technical rigor.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

• Define the technical criteria for a "Downgraded Situation" in industrial operations.
• Identify impairments in safety-critical elements (SCE) and integrity-critical equipment (ICE).
• Conduct a Task Risk Assessment (TRA) for operating under downgraded conditions.
• Develop effective compensatory measures to mitigate the risk of impaired barriers.
• Utilize the Bow-Tie methodology to visualize the impact of a missing or weak barrier.
• Establish a formal DGS Register for tracking and monitoring all operational deviations.
• Apply the ALARP principle to justify continued operations during equipment downtime.
• Manage the "Cumulative Risk" associated with multiple simultaneous impairments.
• Implement a robust Management of Change (MOC) process for temporary mitigations.
• Define the roles and responsibilities of the "DGS Custodian" and "Approval Authorities."
• Execute a formal "Return to Service" protocol once repairs are completed.
• Communicate DGS risks effectively to front-line operators and executive management.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

This course is designed for Operations Managers, Asset Integrity Engineers, Process Safety Specialists, Shift Supervisors, and Maintenance Planners. It is also highly relevant for HSE Professionals and Plant Directors who are responsible for making high-stakes decisions regarding the safety and continuity of production during equipment failures or maintenance outages.

TRAINING COURSE METHODOLOGY:

A highly interactive combination of lectures, discussion sessions, and case studies will be employed to maximize the transfer of information, knowledge, and experience. The course will be intensive, practical, and highly interactive. The sessions will start by raising the most relevant questions and motivating everybody to find the right answers. The attendants will also be encouraged to raise more of their questions and to share in developing the right answers using their analysis and experience. There will also be some indoor experiential activities to enhance the learning experience. Course material will be provided in PowerPoint, with necessary animations, learning videos, and general discussions.

The course participants shall be evaluated before, during, and at the end of the course.

COURSE CERTIFICATE:

National Consultant Centre for Training LLC (NCC) will issue an Attendance Certificate to all participants completing a minimum of 80% of the total attendance time requirement.