Hazard Identification and Analysis Tools

Logic Model Methods The following tools are most commonly used in quantitative risk analysis, but can also be useful qualitatively to understand the combinations of events which can cause an accident. The logic models can also be useful in understanding how protective systems impact various potential accident scenarios. These methods will be thoroughly discussed in the Risk Analysis subsection. Also, hazard identification and evaluation tools discussed in this section are valuable precursors to a quantitative risk analysis (QRA). Generally a QRA quantifies the risk of hazard scenarios which have been identified by using tools such as those discussed above. 

In contrast, the Department of Energy s MORT-based approach provides excellent accident investigation, audit, and appraisal tools oriented to ongoing operations. Despite emphasis on the importance of the upstream process, however, system safety programs based on MORT tend to lack the early, detailed, systematic hazard identification and analysis efforts that are characteristic of MIL-STD-882B programs. 

The job safety analysis (JSA) [also referred to as the job hazard analysis (JHA)], which is a more simplified form of task analysis, has been a longstanding tool for task and function analysis. JSA has been available and utilized in general industry for many years by the industrial safety community. However, many practitioners do not understand or are simply unfamiliar with the connection between the JSA and the system safety tasks of hazard identification and analysis. It has even been suggested by some in the profession that the JSA itself is a type of oversimplified system safety analysis and, if performed earlier in the job development phase, could be used as the basis of a preliminary hazard analysis for a specific task or set of tasks. However, because JSA is often (if improperly) used to analyze a function only after it has been implemented, much of the data is not factored into the system safety process. The primary purpose of the JSA is to uncover inherent or potential hazards that may be encountered in the work environment. This basic definition is not unlike that previously discussed regarding the various system safety analyses. The primary difference between the two is subtle but important and is found in the end-use purpose of the JSA. Once the job or task is completed, the JSA is usually used as an effective tool for training and orienting the new employee into the work environment. The JSA presents a verbal picture of a specific job. 

In this context it is important to improve the analysis of the extent to which sensitive organisms and ecosystems in such areas may need specific test methods and specific concern in environmental risk assessment of chemicals (Breitholtz et al. 2006a). In the future, it is therefore important to increase research efforts to elucidate potential consequences of varying physical and chemical environmental factors for toxicity of a wide range of chemical substances, in order to develop tools for hazard identification and dose-response assessment that include scientifically well-based combinations of species, endpoints and environmental factors. The battery of endpoints to select from should, as far as possible, comprise population level data (Forbes and Calow 1999, Forbes et al. 2001, Breitholtz et al. 2006a), possibly obtained by using population models. 

Q)SAR analysis is an indispensable screening tool in product development, hazard identification and risk assessment. However, for the cancer endpoint, much more work is still needed before (Q)SAR can be used with confidence for regulatory purposes. Several future directions should be explored and include the following ... 

Risk based Assessment is a scientific methods or tools and processes used to manage the risk of a component or system, which normally carried out using a formal process. The main steps are hazard identification, frequency analysis, consequence assessment, risk summation, risk assessment, and risk management. Figure 2 summarizes those steps. 

ETA has proved to be a useful tool for major accident risk assessments. Such an analysis can be effectively integrated into the hazard identification and estimation phases of a safety assessment programme. However, an event tree grows in width exponentially and as a result it can only be applied effectively to small sets of components. 

The acronym for chemical process quantitative risk analysis. It is the process of hazard identification followed by numerical evaluation of incident consequences and frequencies, and their combination into an overall measure of risk when applied to the chemical process industry. It is particularly applied to episodic events. It differs from, but is related to, a probabilistic risk analysis (PRA), a quantitative tool used in the nuclear industry... 

The design of most process plants relies on redundant safety features or layers of protection, such that multiple layers must fail before a serious incident occurs. Barrier analysis ) (also called Hazard-Barrier-Target Analysis, HBTA) can assist the identification of causal factors by identifying which safety feature(s) failed to function as desired and allowed the sequence of events to occur. These safety features or barriers are anything that is used to protect a system or person from a hazard including both physical and administrative layers of protection. The concepts of the hazard-barrier-target theory of incident causation are encompassed in this tool. (See Chapter 3.)... 

Although immunophenotyping is part of many immunotoxicologic evaluations, it is unlikely to ever be a stand-alone analysis in risk assessment because of limited applicability as a screen for immunotoxicity. Despite not being a stand-alone technique and with only a limited role in hazard identification, immunophenotyping remains an important tool in hazard characterization, primarily in understanding mechanisms of immunotoxicity. 

If you are establishing a program internally, solely as a means of improving your overall safety effort, the overall purpose migh be To systematically apply state-of-the-art hazard identification, analysis, and control tools and techniques as early in the life cycle as practical to cost-effectively provide significant improvements in the safety effort, To cost-effectively provide significant safety and design improvements, or To provide a better product at a lower cost. ... 

The recognition of hazards is of primary importance. After workers and supervisors have been trained regarding hazard identification, their understanding of Occupational Safety and Health regulations will help identify jobs, equipment and machinery, areas, and industry processes that have exhibited hazards in the past. It will be your responsibility to identify the potential for hazards, or the existence of hazards within your workplace. Some tools used for identification have been presented in the form of hazard hunts, job hazard analysis, and job safety observations, while other techniques provide the means to prevent and control existing hazards. 

In the Aviation Ground Operations Safety Handbook, change analysis is listed among the Tools to Aid in Hazard Identification section as a method to detect the hazard implications of both planned and unplanned change. ... 

Risk Identification is a methodical review of all of the activities and conditions that exist in the organization. As risk is inherent in all activities, the point of beginning a risk identification process is to map the organization to determine what hazards exist and where they are located. Basically, this is asking the question, What do we do and how do we do it Job hazard analysis, systems and process reviews, data analysis, and any other available tools to describe the organization are used. Once the hazards are located and described, risk assessment begins. 

Fusible Link a mechanical release device actiwited by the heat effects of a fire. It usually consist of two pieces of metal joined by a low melting solder. Fusible links are manufactured as various incremental temperature ratings and are subjected to varying normal maximum tension. When installed and the fixed temperature is reached, the solder melts and the two metal parts separate, initiating the desired actions Hazard Analysis the systematic identification of chemical or physical characteristics and/ or processing conditions and/or operating conditions that could lead to undesired events Hazardous Area, Electrical a US classification for an area in which explosive gas/air mixtures are, or may be expected to be, present in quantities such as to require special precautions for the construction and use of electrical apparatus HAZOP an acronym for Hazard and Operability study, which is a qualitative process risk analysis tool used to identify hazards and evaluate if suitable protective arrangements are in place if the process were not to perform as intended and unexpected consequences were to result... 

The easiest and possibly most effective method is the step-by-step process of the job hazard analysis (JHA). JHA is sometimes referred to as job safety analysis (JSA). The hazard analysis process looks at jobs or processes. Done for every job, a JHA or JSA ensures safe steps, teaches new workers, eliminates or controls hazardous materials, and much more. Some companies have work teams complete JHAs or JSAs on every job or process and then use them as a guide to do the job. The JHA is a hazard identification tool, an analysis tool, a training tool, and an accident prevention tool all rolled into one. 

Although a very powerful analysis tool, the benefits of an SCA are not as cost-effective to the system safety analyst as HA other tools. Other safety analysis techniques, such as SSHA and FTA, are more cost-effective for the identification of hazards and root causes. SCA is highly specialized, and only assists in a certain niche of potential safety concerns dealing with timing and sneak paths. The technique is not recommended for everyday safety analysis usage, and should be used when required for special design or safety-critical concerns. Specific reasons for performing an SCA include ... 

ENVID An abbreviation for enviromnental Identification, it is a systematic and wide-ranging structured hazard analysis tool used to identiiy the environmental hazards at an early stage in process design and development It is conducted like a HAZID except that it focuses on identifying environmental issues. 

The hazard identification process should be planned and managed to provide the necessary assurance that all relevant hazards have been identified (see Chapter 4 for the definition of hazards). There are a variety of tools and techniques available to identify hazards. The application of these tools and techniques depend on the specific product/process being considered, its complexity, the product lifecycle phase, etc. The most common tools and techniques used are FHAs, HAZOPs, occupation health hazard analysis, historical records, etc. (for more details on these tools, see Appendix A). 

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