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Our Services

Comprehensive process safety and management systems consulting - technically rigorous, practically delivered.

What We Do

Six Practice Areas. One Specialist Firm.

We cover the complete process safety lifecycle - from initial hazard identification through to ISO certification, PSM programmes and ongoing compliance.

Process Safety Engineering

HAZOP studies, LOPA, SIL/SIS assessments, dust hazard analysis (DHA), machine safety, electrostatic hazard studies, ATEX zoning and consequence modelling.

  • HAZOP (Hazard & Operability Studies)
  • LOPA (Layer of Protection Analysis)
  • SIL / SIS Assessment (IEC 61511 / 61508)
  • Dust & Combustible Material Hazard Analysis
  • Electrostatic Hazard Studies
  • Machine Safety - PSSR 2000 / Machinery Directive
  • Process Consequence Modelling
  • Reactive Chemical Hazard Studies

PSM Programmes

Design, develop, implement and independently audit comprehensive Process Safety Management programmes aligned to CCPS 20 elements and OSHA 1910.119.

  • PSM Programme Design & Development
  • PSM Gap Assessment vs CCPS / OSHA
  • PSM Element Documentation
  • Process Safety Culture Development
  • PSM Training & Facilitation
  • PSM Auditing & Performance Monitoring
  • PSM KPI Framework Development
  • Management of Change (MOC) Processes

ISO Management Systems

ISO 9001:2015, 45001:2018, 14001:2015, 22000:2018 and 27001:2022 - from gap analysis to certification readiness.

  • ISO 9001:2015 - Quality Management
  • ISO 45001:2018 - OHS Management
  • ISO 14001:2015 - Environmental Management
  • ISO 22000:2018 - Food Safety Management
  • ISO 27001:2022 - Information Security
  • Gap Analysis & Readiness Assessment
  • Documentation & Procedure Development
  • Internal Audit Programme & Pre-Certification Support

Quantitative Risk Assessment

Flash fire, thermal instability, energetic material evaluation, reactive chemical hazards and comprehensive QRA modelling.

  • Flash Fire & Vapour Cloud Explosion Modelling
  • Thermal Instability Studies (DSC / heat flow calorimetry)
  • Energetic Material Evaluation
  • Reactive Chemical Hazard Studies
  • Toxic Release Risk Assessment
  • Bow-Tie Analysis
  • Risk Matrix Development
  • COMAH / MHIDAS Major Hazard Assessment

Hazardous Area Classification

SANS 10108 and IEC 60079 zone classification, EI 15 explosive atmosphere study, NCOP 2022 and DSEAR 2002 compliance.

  • SANS 10108 Zone Classification (RSA)
  • IEC 60079-10-1 / -10-2 Zone Classification
  • EI 15 Explosive Atmosphere Methodology
  • NCOP 2022 Compliance Review
  • DSEAR 2002 Assessments (UK / export clients)
  • Hazardous Area General Arrangement Drawings
  • ATEX / IECEx Equipment Selection Review
  • Electrical Equipment Schedule Development

Technical Advisory

Flammability studies, dangerous goods advisory per ADR/SANS 10228, regulatory classification and turnkey project management.

  • Flammability & Explosibility Testing
  • Dangerous Goods Classification (ADR / SANS 10228)
  • GHS/CLP Chemical Classification Review
  • Regulatory Compliance Advisory
  • Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Review
  • Turnkey Safety Project Management
  • Expert Witness & Incident Investigation Support
  • PSSR 2000 Written Scheme of Examination
01 — Process Safety Engineering

Prevent Incidents Before They Occur

We bring deep technical expertise to process hazard studies at every stage of the facility lifecycle — from conceptual design safety reviews through to operational HAZOP facilitation and SIL/SIS verification in line with IEC 61511 Ed3.

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  • HAZOP facilitation to IEC 61882 — structured, documented and traceable action register
  • LOPA (Layer of Protection Analysis) for semi-quantitative risk assessment
  • SIL/SIS assessment and independent verification per IEC 61511 Ed3 / IEC 61508 Ed2
  • Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) per NFPA 654, NFPA 68, NFPA 69 and EN 14460
  • Machine safety — ISO 13849-1, IEC 62061 and PSSR 2000 Written Scheme of Examination
  • Electrostatic hazard studies for flammable liquid, powder and gas handling
02 — PSM Programmes

Build a Culture of Process Safety Excellence

Robust Process Safety Management is not a document set — it is an operational discipline. We design, implement and audit PSM programmes aligned to the CCPS 20 Elements framework and OSHA 1910.119, building systems that measurably change behaviour.

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  • PSM programme gap assessment benchmarked against CCPS 20 Elements and OSHA 1910.119
  • Element-by-element PSM documentation and procedure development
  • Management of Change (MOC) process design, implementation and training
  • Process safety culture surveys, leadership workshops and development planning
  • PSM KPI framework aligned to CCPS lagging and leading indicator guidelines
  • Independent PSM programme auditing and corrective action planning
03 — ISO Management Systems

From Gap Assessment to Certification — Efficiently

From single-standard certification to fully integrated management systems covering quality, safety, environment, food safety and information security, we guide organisations through the entire journey with a structured, knowledge-transferring approach.

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  • ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System — gap analysis to certification readiness
  • ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management System
  • ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System — aspects, impacts and objectives
  • ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management System with HACCP integration
  • ISO 27001:2022 Information Security Management System — risk treatment and controls
  • Integrated Management Systems (IMS) combining two or more ISO standards
04 — Quantitative Risk Assessment

The Numerical Basis for Major Hazard Risk Decisions

We provide rigorous, defensible quantitative risk studies — determining whether risks from fire, explosion, toxic release or chemical reactivity are ALARP and supporting land-use planning, insurance and regulatory submissions.

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  • Flash fire and Vapour Cloud Explosion (VCE) consequence modelling (TNT / Baker-Strehlow)
  • Toxic release and dense-gas atmospheric dispersion modelling (ERPG / AEGL / IDLH)
  • Thermal instability studies — DSC and adiabatic calorimetry (ARC) data interpretation
  • Bow-Tie analysis — threat mapping, barrier identification and strength assessment
  • COMAH Major Hazard Assessment — individual and societal risk contour mapping
  • Risk matrix development, ALARP region calibration and risk tolerability criteria
05 — Hazardous Area Classification

Every Zone Correctly Classified. Every Ignition Source Controlled.

Correct hazardous area classification is the foundation of explosion protection for any facility handling flammable gases, vapours or dusts. We produce compliant, auditable HAC studies with full GA drawing and equipment selection packages.

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  • Gas and vapour zone classification (Zone 0, 1, 2) per IEC 60079-10-1 and SANS 10108
  • Combustible dust zone classification (Zone 20, 21, 22) per IEC 60079-10-2
  • EI 15 petroleum industry area classification methodology
  • NCOP 2022 compliance assessment, documentation and completion certificate support
  • Hazardous Area General Arrangement drawings — plan, elevation and 3D as required
  • ATEX / IECEx equipment selection, category assignment and electrical equipment register
06 — Technical Advisory

Specialist Expertise When You Need It Most

When you need specialist opinion outside your internal capability, Nexis PS provides targeted technical support — from flammability characterisation and DG compliance through to expert witness testimony and turnkey project management.

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  • Flammability and explosibility data interpretation — flash point, AIT, LFL/UFL, Kst/Pmax
  • Dangerous goods classification per ADR, SANS 10228, IATA DGR, IMDG Code and RID
  • GHS / CLP hazard classification and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) authoring and review
  • PSSR 2000 Written Scheme of Examination and pressure systems compliance
  • Expert witness reports for litigation, arbitration and regulatory enquiries
  • Turnkey safety study programme management from scoping to regulatory submission
How We Deliver

Our Engagement Methodology

Every Nexis PS engagement follows a structured four-stage process designed to deliver thorough, compliant and implementable outcomes.

01

Scope & Assess

We begin with a thorough scoping session - understanding your operation, hazards, regulatory obligations and business objectives. We then conduct the relevant assessment: HAZOP, gap analysis, risk assessment or ISO readiness review.

02

Design

Our specialists design a tailored safety solution - whether a PSM programme framework, ISO management system structure, hazardous area classification study or risk reduction strategy. Solutions are always proportionate and context-specific.

03

Implement

We work alongside your teams to implement - developing documentation, facilitating training, coaching personnel and managing roll-out. We transfer knowledge throughout, not just at handover.

04

Monitor & Verify

We provide independent auditing, performance monitoring and corrective action planning - benchmarking your performance against international standards and identifying continual improvement opportunities.

Standards

Standards & Frameworks We Work With

Our consultants work across the full spectrum of international process safety and management systems standards.

Explosive Atmospheres

  • SANS 10108
  • IEC 60079-10-1
  • IEC 60079-10-2
  • EI 15
  • NCOP 2022
  • DSEAR 2002
  • NFPA 497
  • IEC 60079-0-17

Fire & Explosion Safety

  • NFPA 86:2023
  • NFPA 654
  • NFPA 68
  • NFPA 69
  • NFPA 77
  • EN 1127-1
  • EN 13463
  • EN 14460

ISO Management Systems

  • ISO 9001:2015
  • ISO 45001:2018
  • ISO 14001:2015
  • ISO 22000:2018
  • ISO 27001:2022
  • ISO 31000:2018
  • ISO 31010:2019

Functional Safety / SIS

  • IEC 61511 Ed3
  • IEC 61508 Ed2
  • ISA 84.01
  • BS EN 62061
  • ISO 13849-1
  • PSSR 2000

PSM Frameworks

  • CCPS PSM 20 Elements
  • OSHA 1910.119
  • API RP 750
  • API RP 752
  • API RP 753
  • API RP 756
  • COMAH Regulations

Dangerous Goods

  • SANS 10228
  • ADR 2023
  • GHS Rev.10
  • IMDG Code
  • IATA Regulations
  • UN Recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about process safety consulting and our services.

A HAZOP (Hazard and Operability Study) is a structured examination of a process or operation to identify hazards, operability problems and causes of incidents. You need a HAZOP when designing a new process, modifying an existing one, prior to major regulatory inspections, or as part of your PSM programme. HAZOP is required under several regulations and is considered industry best practice for high-hazard operations.

HAZOP identifies hazardous scenarios and proposes safeguards. LOPA (Layer of Protection Analysis) quantifies whether the existing safeguards provide adequate risk reduction for identified scenarios. HAZOP is qualitative; LOPA is semi-quantitative. They are typically used in sequence - HAZOP first to identify scenarios, LOPA to assess risk reduction adequacy for higher-consequence scenarios.

For a single facility with supportive management and dedicated resources, ISO 45001:2018 implementation typically takes 9-12 months from gap assessment to certification audit. Multi-site or complex organisations may require 12-18 months. Nexis PS has achieved certification in as little as 10 months by using an intensive, structured implementation approach.

Hazardous area classification (SANS 10108 / IEC 60079-10) is the process of systematically identifying areas where flammable gases, vapours, dusts or fibres may form explosive atmospheres, and classifying them into Zones (Zone 0, 1, 2 for gas; Zone 20, 21, 22 for dust). Classified areas require specially certified electrical and other equipment to be used. Classification is a legal requirement under the OHS Act and relevant regulations.

Absolutely. We regularly assist organisations that have started an ISO implementation but need expert support to close gaps, strengthen documentation or prepare for a certification audit. We begin with a Gap Assessment to establish your current position against the standard requirements then design a targeted implementation plan to reach certification readiness efficiently.

Yes. We believe that sustainable process safety improvement requires knowledge transfer. All our engagements include explanatory sessions for key personnel. We also offer standalone training on HAZOP methodology, ISO management systems, process safety fundamentals and hazardous area classification for in-house SHEQ teams.