Program Overview

Process and Systems Safety Engineering

Overview

The Process and Systems Safety Engineering course is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of process safety and systems safety engineering principles and practices. The course, co-designed by academic and industry leaders, is divided into two parts: Part 1 introduces the fundamentals of process safety and systems safety, while Part 2 applies these learnings to a case study, critiquing key process safety approaches.

Upcoming Courses

• Delivery mode: in-person, workshop
• Date: 17–20 February 2026, 8:30am–4:30pm (GMT+10) Brisbane time
• Location: Sir James Foots Building (#47A), St Lucia
• Time commitment: 48 hours

Who Should Attend

• Specialist personnel, including managers, engineers, and other technical specialists, should attend Part 1.
• Technical specialists or management roles that oversee the application of effective process safety strategies should attend Part 2.

Entry Requirements

• Part 1: No entry requirements.
• Part 2: Completion of Part 1 or an existing understanding of the fundamentals of process safety.

What You'll Learn

Part 1: Introduction to Process Safety Fundamentals

Part 1 will help participants:

• Explain the fundamental differences between personal safety, process safety, and systems safety, and functional safety.
• Describe key elements of process/systems safety management systems (PSMS) and how to assess these.
• Understand how systems safety analysis can be integrated into other safety and risk management processes.
• Identify opportunities for improvement.

Part 2: Application and Critique of Process Safety Approaches

Part 2 will help participants develop skills in:

• Performing and/or critiquing the quality of key process safety approaches associated with risk assessment, risk treatment, and event investigations.
• Developing and assessing recommendations derived from process safety approaches.
• Critiquing process and identifying S.M.A.R.T improvements to process safety management systems.

Time Commitment

• 20 hours of study using online materials.
• 4-day in-person workshop (Parts 1 and 2).
  • Part 1: 10 hours online study + day 1 and 2 of workshop.
  • Part 2: 10 hours online study + day 3 and 4 of workshop.

Assessment

• Part 1 assessment: quiz and a process safety diagnostic exercise.
• Part 2 assessment: critiquing 2 different process safety analyses.

Certification and Accreditation

Participants who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion to verify their skills and achievements.

Facilitators

• Professor Maureen Hassall, Director, Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre.
• Nyssa Nair, Research Fellow, Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre (MISHC).

Cost

• Part 1 (ex GST): A$1,600.
• Part 2 (ex GST): A$1,600.
• Part 1 & 2 (ex GST): A$3,200.
• Part 1 & 2 for 5 or more participants from the same organisation (ex GST): A$2,900.

Location

• Sir James Foots Building (#47A), Corner of College Rd and Staff House Rd, The University of Queensland, Room 470, Level 4 Seminar Room, St Lucia, QLD, 4072.

Related Courses

This course is part of the Risk Management suite, which includes:

• Risk Management 1 – Risk and Critical Control Management.
• Risk Management 2 – G3 G-MIRM Risk Management Systems.
• Risk Management 3 – G2 Risk Management for Supervisors.
• Risk Management 4 – G7: Mine Occupational Health and Safety Management.
• Risk Management 6 – Bowtie Facilitation Course.
• Risk Management 7 – Safety Investigation for Supervisors.
• Risk Management 8 – Safety Investigation and Analysis Management.
• Risk Management 9 – Introduction to Human Factors and Human-Centred Design in Mining.