When it comes to
operational risk assessment of process safety
information, there is no better guide than the author of Process Hazards Analysis and
Analysis, Ian Sutton. Download his new Ebook - Process Risk
Excellent safety and environmental
performance in the process industries does not happen by chance;
after all, most process facilities handle large quantities of
toxic, flammable and explosive materials, often at high
temperature and pressure. Such processes are inherently hazardous.
Therefore process risk must be properly understood and managed.
An effective risk management program
has three elements. First, the program must be properly grounded
in theory. Second, risk management has to be based practical. Many
risk analyses are theoretically interesting, but they do not
provide much practical help to managers, operators and engineers
working on operating facilities and on projects.
The third element in an effective risk
management program is the appropriate use of both the ‘hard’
and ‘soft’ approaches to both analysis and follow-up. The
‘hard’ approach relies on the use of formal
models, quantitative data and an objective
examination of equipment and instrumentation. The ‘soft’
approach, on the other hand, is oriented more toward understanding
people and their behaviors. The best risk
management programs and this Process Risk
Management book, combine both approaches.
- Risk Management provides an overview of risk management
in the process industries. Terminology - such as the important
distinction between the words 'frequency' and 'probability' - is
explained, as are fundamental concepts, such as the role of
safeguards in a process safety management system.
- Hazards Identification describes how hazards can
be identified, usually in a team environment. The role of the team
leader (facilitator), scribe and department specialists is
discussed, as is the all important topic of writing the final
report. The chapter points out some of the limitations of typical
hazards analyses, and discusses how hazards analysis fits into the
overall topic of process safety management.
Chapter 3 -
Hazards Analysis Techniques describes some of the more
commonly used methods for identifying hazards. The Hazard and
Operability (HAZOP) method is discussed in depth, as are Failure
Modes & Effects Analysis (FMEA), Checklists and the What-If
approach. The strengths and limitations of each technique are
- Consequence Analysis provides an overview of some of the
major consequence issues facing the process industries. These
include fires, explosions, and toxic gas releases.
- Likelihood Analysis provides
a background to the difficult yet important issue of risk
quantification. The chapter starts by discussing the Pareto
Principle, then discusses the Fault Tree Analysis method in some
depth. The final section of the chapter outlines some of the
limitations that are inherent in quantification work.
(Note: The fault
tree content of this chapter is available in an expanded form in Fault
Tree Analysis .)
- Common Hazards explains that many hazards are common to a
wide variety of processes and technologies. A wide range of such
common hazards are listed in this chapter.