Definition:
RAGAGEP stands for recognized and generally acceptable good engineering practice. It refers to an engineering standards and codes that are widely accepted by industry, regulatory bodies, or consensus standards. It is a short-hand (slang) term that engineers and legal professionals will use.
What constitutes a RAGAGEP can evolve as technology and consensus standards change. Different locations globally will have different RAGAGEPs.
Key Points:
- Cited heavily in OSHA PSM and EPA RMP regulations.
- It takes a certain amount of industrial consensus for it to be considered a RAGAGEP.
- Helps defend safety practices during inspections and legal reviews.
Example:
Following IEC 61511-1 for process safety system design would typically be considered a RAGAGEP by knowledgeable professionals. In the U.S., the RMP and PSM regulations formally document this. Another example is NFPA 497, the common standard in the U.S. for establishing hazardous areas. However, in Europe, it is other IEC standards.
See Also: NFPA hazard ratings
Cited Source:
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119(d).
- OSHA – RAGAGEP in Process Safety Management Enforcement – an OSHA letter using the term formally