What-If Analysis and Safety Checklists

In the process safety industry, the what-if and use of safety checklists are reaUy two separate tools. Now, with the advent of OSHA 1910.119, the two tools are more commonly merged into one. This does not mean that you cannot apply them separately if you so choose. Both are accepted safety analysis tools for OSHA compliance. In this section, however, the two will be combined. 

The what-if is exactly as it sounds what if this occurs what will be the consequences The purpose of a what-if is to carefully consider the effects of nnexpected events on the system. If you can couple this simplistic questioning with individuals who have a good understanding of the operation of the plant and a systematic review of the plant, then it can become a very nsefnl tool. 

Concretely, the procedure is to examine the possible deviations (similar to a HAZOP) from the design and operation of a plant or process. The same kind of information required for a HAZOP is needed for the what-if Follow the same process as the HAZOP define the objectives and scope, select the team, conduct the questioning, document the results, and then track the hazard control implementation. 

System Safety Engineering and Risk Assessment A Practical Approach 

You can see just from just this short list of questions how difficult it would be to use the technique as a comprehensive approach. It is difficult to really auticipate all the right questions and be sure that it comprehensively looks at the safety of the process. 

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