Equipment analysis, system safety process

To develop a safe design, it is necessary to first design and specify all equipment and systems in accordance with applicable codes and standards. Once the system is designed, a process safety shutdown system is specified to assure that potential hazards that can be detected by measuring process upsets are detected, and that appropriate safety actions (normally an automatic shutdown) are initiated. A hazards analysis is then normally undertaken to identify and mitigate potential hazards that could lead to fire, explosion, pollution, or injury to personnel and that cannot be detected as process upsets. Finally, a system of safety management is implemented to assure the system is operated and maintained in a safe manner by personnel who have received adequate training. 

As identified in a safety review (e.g., process hazard analysis [PHA], What-lf Analysis, Hazard and Operability Study [HAZOP]), a defined part (section or subsystem or item of equipment) of a process that has a design intention that is specific and distinct from the design intention of other process parts, which allows the study team to analyze the specific equipment or system in an organized fashion. 

Systems safety is the analysis field that utilizes techniques for identijying potential sources of accidents and losses. Various techniques can be used to assess safety performance with regards to equipment, people, the environment and processes. 

Hazard analysis and risk assessment systems have been used for many years by certain heavy equipment manufacturers (HEM) in their design processes to achieve inherently safer products. Keep in mind that their principle concern in using the risk assessment method described here is product safety and the avoidance of injury to users of their equipment, or to bystanders. There are variations in the terms used in the several versions of this industry s Hazard Analysis System. In one version, these are the Risk Assessment Variables ... 

Process safety is described as the application of engineering, science, and human factors to the design and operation of chemical processes and systems. Safety courses for process technicians deal with use of safety equipment, process safety analysis, and the prevention of injuries, fatalities, fires, explosions, or unexpected releases of hazardous materials. Safety training is designed to keep employees safe and productive, protect the community, environment, and protect equipment and physical facilities. 

This technique is a system safety analysis-based process to semi-quantitatively analyse, measure and evaluate planned or actual loss outcomes resulting from the action of equipment, procedures and personnel during emergencies or accidents. 

A proposed change, test or experiment or the discovery or Identification of new Information resulting from analyses of Incidents or accidents, new or Improved analyses or modifications or changes to procedures, processes, operations, structures, systems and/or components, shall be deemed to Involve a USQ If (1) the probability of occurrence or the consequences of an accident or malfunction of equipment Important to safety previously evaluated In the safety analysis report may be Increased or (2) the possibility for an accident or malfunction of a different type than any evaluated previously in the safety analysis report may be created or (3) the margin of safety as defined in the basis for any technical specification Is reduced. 

Eault tree analysis (ETA) is a widely used computer-aided tool for plant and process safety analysis (69). One of the primary strengths of the method is the systematic, logical development of the many contributing factors that might result ia an accident. This type of analysis requires that the analyst have a complete understanding of the system and plant operations and the various equipment failure modes. 

---