Management hazard evaluation procedures

It is difficult to identify all of the possible events and their consequences in a complex chemical processing plant without the application of systematic procedures and proper management techniques. Several hazard evaluation procedures have been developed. Most of these procedures are described in other AIChE/CCPS publications such as Guidelines for Hazard Evaluation Procedures [2,3] and Guidelinesfor Quantitative Risk Analysis [4]. Other publications on hazard evaluation techniques include [246,247]. 

Identified hazards can either be reduced at the root (e.g., reduction of inventory) or by introduction of protective systems (e.g., automatic emergency shutdown). The increased understanding of the chemistry and the process that is obtained from hazard evaluation procedures provides guidance for many other elements of process safety management as well (e.g., procedural instructions, emergency strategies, personnel training, and preventive maintenance). 

General References Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS), Guidelines for Hazard Evaluation Procedures, Second Edition with Worked Examples, AIChE, September 1992. CCPS, Guidelines for Technical Management of Chemical Process Safety, AIChE, 1989. CCPS, Guidelines for Auditing Process Safety Management Systems, AIChE, 1993. 

Guidelines for Hazard Evaluation Procedures, 2nd ed. with Worked Examples, 1992. Guidelines for Implementing Process Safety Management Systems, 1994. 

Oements, P. L. 1987. Concepts in Risk Management. Sverdrup Technology. Inc. Goldwaite, William H., and others. 198S. Guidelines for Hazard Evaluation Procedures. 

To develop the risk-management strategy, start with a process hazards analysis (PHA) and review the process design and its control, operation, and maintenance practices. Select a multidisciplinary team with expertise in these areas, and use an accepted hazard-evaluation procedure, such as a hazard and operability (HAZOP), what-if, or checklist analysis, to determine how process deviations from intended... 

Many hazards may be identified and controlled or eliminated through use of qualitative hazard analysis as defined in Guidelines for Hazard Evaluation Procedures, Second Edition (AICHE/CCPS, 1992). Qualitative studies typically identify potentially hazardous events and their causes. In some cases, where the risks are clearly excessive and the existing safeguards arc inadequate, corrective actions can be adequately identified with qualitative methods. CPQRA is used to help evaluate potential risks when qualitative methods cannot provide adequate understanding of the risks and more information is needed for risk management. It can also be used to evaluate alternative risk reduction strategies. 

A system checklist is useful to identify compliance problems and also tliose areas of die system diat require furdier hazard evaluation. The niediod is easy to use and can be applied to any component of a given system such as equipment, instrunientation, materials, and procedures. Tliis mediod, which produces qualitative results, must be prepared by an engineer dioroughly experienced with die system once die checklist is prepared, however, it can be used by engineers or managers who may have less tecluiical experience widi die system. ... 

Member companies are required to have programs to manage reactive hazards that address, at a minimum, hazard identification, hazard evaluation, management of change, inherently safer design, and adequate procedures and training. 

A strategy for fire protection is only one part of an overall framework of guidance to allow consistent, methodical evaluation and management of hazards and risk. There are many ways to approach risk management however a strategy and procedures for fire protection must be established and followed. 

---