Process Hazard Analyses leadership

As with any team effort, the quality of the leadership is critical. The leader must somehow allow people to dream up potentially bizarre situations in anticipation that one or two of these situations will actually turn out to be plausible. At the same time, he or she has to keep the hazards analysis on track in terms of schedule and budget. Also, some team members enjoy the brainstorming process so much that they become counterproductive in terms of overall team effort. The leader needs to keep them focused. 

Routine development and use of job hazard analyses as well as education of employees about each job s hazards and associated risk. The process should include involvement or comprehensive communication with the leadership team so that this understanding is present throughout the organization. For a more detailed review of job hazard analysis, refer to Chapter 12, Developing the Job Hazard Analysis . 

The JHA process does require time and budget. As the common assumption is made that our employees know how to do their jobs , resistance can be expected, especially if no visible problems are evident with the job. To move the process from just occasional use, its strength as part of any continuous improvement process must be made clear to leadership and employees as to its potential for improving the work environment (Conducting a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), n.d. Roughton, 1995). 

HAZOP analysis utilizes use key guidewords and system diagrams (design representations) to identify system hazards. Adjectives (guide words) such as more, no, and less, are combined with process/system conditions such a speed, flow, and pressure, in the hazard identification process. HAZOP analysis looks for hazards resulting from identified potential deviations in design operational intent. A HAZOP analysis is performed by a team of multidisciplinary experts in a brainstorming session under the leadership of a HAZOP team leader. 

Organizations have the responsibility to ensure that their employees are trained to achieve its objectives and that each employee understands the hazards of their work environment and how to protect themselves from specific hazards. An in-depth knowledge of the job hazard analysis (JHA) process should be developed and used by the leadership team and employees. Without this basic training, it will be difficult to establish an effective and efficient JHA process, which adds value to the organization with overall operational improvement. 

The JHA process provides a better method to identify opportunities for improvement in the safely management system and can help provide the foundation for a hazard and risk-based analysis. As this structured process is followed, issues may be uncovered that may require the leadership team to make some decisions if this task should be avoided modified. 

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