Hazard Analysis

Techniques

   
 Overview of the Hazop Process
• Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP) is
a technique (almost like brainstorming)
whereby a group of well informed people aim
to identify all the ways in which hazards may
appear in a system.
• Its purpose is to:-
– Establish hazardous failure modes, and
– A measure of their effect by a systematic
examination of the system and its components.

   
 Notes on Hazop
• HAZOP is applicable at all stages of the
system lifecycle although it is of limited use
until a relatively detailed description of the
system has been developed.
• Typically the selected members of the
HAZOP team will have had previous
experience of such systems, and complement
one another (are from different backgrounds)
so that the benefits of the team approach are
apparent.
   
 The Hazop Process
• A disciplined and systematic approach is
adopted to ensure there are no obvious
omissions.
• Each component of the system and each
hazard is considered in turn.
• The team employs a series of guidewords and
variables to facilitate the process.
• Questions arise about the design and these
act as the basis of the formulation of solutions
to mitigate the hazards that are identified.
   
 Illustration
Example in use of guidelines:
in analysing pipelines in a chemical
plant, the guidewords:-
NO LESS MORE

could be applied to the variables

FLOW PRESSURE TEMPERATURE

to identify possible hazards.

   
 Notes on hazop
• The basis (paperwork or model of the system) of
the activity must be accurate.
• The HAZOP process for a large system may take
several months - each major component is typically
considered in turn.
• A database of previous disasters can be used as a
reminder of options to be looked at.
• It is possible for the team to get 'carried away' and
install expensive equipment to compensate for
possible hazards.
• Proposals for change should go through the
HAZOP
 
process.  
 Additional notes
• The HAZOP process can be viewed as a
process of looking at possible disturbances
(events that may cause failure) to the system
and considering the consequences.
• The more formal the process the better. This
can significantly influence the effectiveness of
the whole process and the outcomes.
• Some practitioners draw up definitions of
terms that may cause ambiguity. For
example some, several, many,...
   
 … and
• Likewise, checklists of possible disturbances
are often provided; these tend to be
application dependent.
• But other lists can also be present to cover
other unusual situations. For example,
considerations of the effects of holidays on
plant operation, strikes, shift changes,
illness,...
• Prior to the study, agreed checklists are
compiled to provide a systematic basis for the
  study.  
 Risk identification process
• A summary of the risk identification process
may be as follows:-
– use Preliminary Hazard Analysis techniques at the
appropriate stage of development
– use the HAZOP process
– use Fault Tree Analysis for situations where
control is involved or a service has to be provided
• Use carefully monitored design