Qualitative hazard analysis characteristics

The site-level health and safety manager was given notice from corporate for the need to conduct the qualitative risk analysis of the plant s hazardous material transportation operations. The safety manager was provided with a questiotmaire regarding all chemicals of concern, shipping quantities, modes of transit, and the route characteristics (similar to the checklist found in Table 4.2). This information was transmitted back to corporate for analysis, which included a corporate-level comparison to the other XYZ Chemical facihties risk results. Based on the information collected at the site level, the following was determined and reviewed by corporate for this facility ... 

Hazard Analysis—The determination of material, system, process, and plant characteristics that can produce undesirable consequences, followed by the assessment of hazardous situations associated with a process or activity. Largely qualitative techniques are used to pinpoint weaknesses in design or operation of the facility that could lead to accidents. The Safety Analysis Report (SAR) hazard analysis examines the complete spectrum of potential accidents that could expose members of the public, on-site woikers, facility workers, and the environment to hazardous materials. 

Methods and techniques for measurement, sampling, and analysis Types, sources, and characteristics of hazards, threats, and vulnerabilities Hazard analysis, job safety analysis and task analysis methods Qualitative, quantitative, deductive, and inductive risk assessment methods Risk-based decision-making Risk-based decision-making tools... 

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... 

This entry contains some basic concepts, general knowledge, and classical methods for the analysis of the reliability of structures, equipment, and systems and its quantitative estimation. The presentation of the subject matter follows the two phases typically used in practice for the implementation of the analysis the phase of qualitative analysis for hazards and failure modes identification and the phase of quantitative estimation of the reliability characteristics of interest. The concepts and practices of the first phase are exemplified via the common method of systematic analysis known as the failure mode, effects, and criticality analysis (FMECA). The mathematical, probabilistic concepts necessary... 

Event An occurrenee related to equipment performance or human aetion, or an occurrenee external to the system that causes system upset. Hazard An inherent physical or chemical characteristic that has the potential for causing harm to people, property, or the environment. Hazard Evaluation (HE) The analysis of the significance of hazardous situations associated with a process or activity. Uses qualitative techniques to pinpoint weaknesses in he design and operation of facilities that could lead to accidents. 

Item characteristics (e.g. hazardous materials or working practices) if the aim in Step 2 required these to be addressed as well. These hazards could be identified via hazard identification tools/techniques such as the particular risk analysis, HAZOP, etc. (see Appendix A). Each hazard must then be allocated with either a numerical or a qualitative safety objective, which is agreed with the applicable airworthiness authority. 

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