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The reports of past major process disasters reveal that catastrophes are preventable and many of the problems are recognized prior to the accidents through the near-misses. The key element to improve safety performance is analyzing the performance indicators i.e. leading and lagging metrics in order to avoid process disasters. In past, the focus has only been given to the implementation of fourteen elements of process safety management (PSM) system, legislated under occupational safety and health administration (OSHA), for the effective safety system. However, it ignored the insight behaviour and performance of indicators along with its associated metrics for its every element. Therefore, to cater all these needs, a structured technique known as safety performance framework (SPF) has been suggested. It encompasses four major steps including a developed mathematical model i.e. safety performance index (SPI) to ensure the proper implementation of PSM in process industries. In addition to this, the identification of leading and lagging indicators for each PSM element is an integral part of this structure and is the real key to success. Moreover, this technique has been applied to the case studies of current process plant and the past disaster, where it has disclosed the insights of safety performance failure. Thus, SPF has been shown as a helpful tool to implement PSM in process industries to avoid disasters.

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The capacity of organically modified Montmorillonite (MMT) clay to adsorb nonpolar organic compound (benzene) in an aqueous solution, was investigated under the batch process. MMT was pretreated (centrifuged) and then functionalized with green intercalating agent i.e. 1-hexyl-3-methyl imadazolium chloride [HMim][Cl]. The characterization through Fourir Transoform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) confirmed the presence of the oxygen containing functional groups, changes in melting point and variation in the morphological properties. The governing parameters for the sorption of benzene such as the effect of contact time, pH, adsorbent dose and rotation were studied. The kinetic data conformed to pseuodo 2nd order kinetic model and the isotherm experimental data were a better fit to Langmuir model with maximum adsorption capacity of 588.23mg/g under experimental conditions. Overall, MMT intercalated with 1-hexyl-3-methyl imadazolium chloride is a promising environmental friendly adsorbent for the abatement of benzene in an aqueous solution.