HAZOP study was initially developed in the 1960s to analyze major chemical process systems but has since been extended to other areas, including mining operations and other types of process systems and complex systems such as nuclear power plant operation and software development.
HAZOP Study means “Hazard and Operability Study”. It is a risk assessment technique that adopts a systematic way to identify possible hazards in a work process. To carry out the HAZOP study, the process is broken down into simpler sections called nodes and the nodes are individually reviewed; every variation in work parameters is considered for each node, to see what could go wrong.
HAZOP Study Objective
The HAZOP study aims to find potential situations that could cause the element in a process to pose a hazard or limit the operability of the process as a whole.
Why You Need HAZOP
- Help check a design for possible failures and avoid them early.
- Guide to deciding whether to buy a piece of equipment considering the safety implications of the equipment.
- Help to obtain a list of questions to put to a supplier when inquiring about material/equipment.
- Help to improve the safety of existing facilities.
N/B: This study could be done for a fresh process or an existing process.
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Steps by step Guide to Carry Out A HAZOP Study
To have a successful HAZOP study, four (4) cardinal steps will be involved, these steps include:
- Form a HAZOP team: This team should be made of specialists, not newbies. Know that having a faulty HAZOP is worse than not having it at all.
- Identifying the individual elements of the system: Here individual elements in a process are identified which will be analyzed and reviewed. The piping and instrument diagrams (P&ID), or a plant model are mostly used to identify the elements of the system.
- Considering possible variations in operating elements: Here variations are considered for the different elements. It always considers “What if” something goes wrong and there is a deviation from the normal working.
- Identifying any hazards or failure points: At this point, the result of the variation (Deviation from normal) is considered, putting into consideration the already available controls.
Read Also: 6 Methods of Risk Assessment You Should Know
HAZOP Study Report
The result of this study, after identifying the hazards or failure points is what will determine the next action.
In case of a fresh process, this result may guide in the type of equipment to acquire, or a total change in the work process.
Whereas,
In an ongoing process, the system can be modified to improve its safety.
Who Are The Members Of The HAZOP Team
The HAZOP team is expected to be led by an experienced HAZOP facilitator. Other members could be, personnel from Process, Instruments, Machines, Project Engineering, and Operations. It also requires the involvement of process technologists, environmental specialists, and corporate Health & Safety and Environment (HSE) staff for some parts of the work, etc.
Read Also: How to use the risk assessment matrix effectively
HAZOP Training
To be skilled in this study, you must get trained. Check out for HAZOP trainer in your area.
It is mostly a two (2) day of training. This course will introduce you to the Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) methodology, and essential training if you need to plan, organize, write, or manage a HAZOP study.
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