HAZOP STUDY
Hazard Studies with OTECSA
At OTECSA Consulting, we specialise in advancing workplace safety across Scotland, England, and across the world through our expert HAZOP study services.
Our dedicated team delivers in-depth hazard studies, ensuring your operations not only comply with stringent safety regulations but also foster a culture of safety excellence. With a focus on mitigating risks and safeguarding your assets and personnel, OTECSA is your partner in navigating the complexities of industrial safety and regulatory compliance.
HAZOP Study
Partner with OTECSA Consulting for a safer, more secure industrial environment where safety and compliance are paramount.
By conducting thorough hazard studies, we offer tailored solutions that not only meet but exceed regulatory compliance. Our proactive approach aims to identify potential risks before they materialise, ensuring the highest degree of safety for your operations.
We can support you from early stages of design, through HAZID, HAZOP study and then the follow on LOPA studies which may be required. We can also provide start-up and commissioning support on later stages hazard studies.
Interested in how much a HAZOP will cost? Read our handy guide to HAZOP costing here.
Our approach
Hazard study 1
◌ Project in conceptual stage
Hazard Study 1 should be carried out early in a project design, at a conceptual stage where the process, scale of operations and proposed location of the facility has been identified.
Hazard Study 1 should enable the team to identify what the major hazards from the proposed process could be and carry out some fact finding on previous incidents, the materials being handled, major legislation and best practice to consider and plan what additional risk assessments are required based on the level of risk identified.
Hazard study 2
◌ Hazard Identification Study (HAZID)
A HAZID should be carried out when a process flowsheet has been developed (with no need for P&ID level design). HAZID is similar to the HAZOP Study process but it is much faster and focuses on major hazard category guidewords.
The focus on these major hazard guidewords means that because of the early stage of design, adequate safeguards and re-design activities can still be carried out without a major impact on the project schedule. If the project waits until HAZOP to tease out the issues it can be too late or costly to rectify some of the problems.
Hazard study 3
◌ Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP)
Most engineers recognise HAZOP as the cornerstone and most comprehensive method for assessing process risks. Typically conducted during the detailed design phase, when P&IDs are nearly finalised. A HAZOP Study is most effective when it follows initial hazard assessments conducted at earlier design stages discussed here.
A HAZOP Study employs a methodical, bottom-up approach, utilising deviation guidewords to prompt the team to identify all potential causes of process failures. This systematic review is applied to discrete sections of the process, known as “nodes”, cumulatively encompassing an assessment of the entire process.
HAZOP’s effectiveness in highlighting major process issues is well-documented. The study ensures that all risks are scored based on the client’s tolerance for risk, pinpointing design shortcomings and areas needing heightened focus to reduce risks to levels that are as low as reasonably practicable.
Common HAZOP Study issues
In the process of preparing for and facilitating a HAZOP Study, we commonly encounter a range of issues that can impact the effectiveness and efficiency of the analysis. Many of these issues can be prevented by following a more comprehensive Hazard Study process, including Hazard Study 1 and HAZID in advance of HAZOP. However there is also a need for a clear structured approach to the HAZOP Study, with communication in advance of the meetings and clarity on the post HAZOP procedures. Otecsa can assist in all of these areas to help your Hazard Studies run as smoothly as possible.
Team familiarity with HAZOP project
HAZOP team not clearly briefed on the project and find themselves learning the design and operating intent through the HAZOP meetings. This can add to additional time required in the meetings, a lack of engagement with operations on the basis of a “we’ve not been consulted on what we really want” attitude and difficulties on agreeing what should actually be assessed, given there is clearly scope for variations on the design chosen.
Defining the control system and effects
Poorly defined control system / cause and effects. This can make a smooth HAZOP difficult, leading to more time, cost and uncertainty as to what the design intent is.
Anticipating Protective Measures
HAZOP carried out without prior thought to suitable protective measures for high severity events. This can lead to excessive instrumented systems or a requirement for high integrity systems (e.g SIL rated systems).
Timing of HAZOP Execution
HAZOP carried out too early, when design is not complete or design reviews have not been completed. This can lead to design within the meeting which is time consuming and can mean prior assessment needs revision. In some cases large parts of design can be incomplete, leading to a requirement for phasing of HAZOP as the design develops.
HAZOP Action Follow-Through
Lack of clarity on HAZOP action close out procedures. Once you have done the assessment it is imperative that actions are followed through and responses adequately responded and justified with the close out agreement including a representative team similar to that of the original HAZOP (and not just one powerful person deciding actions are complete).
How we can help
We offer assistance in defining which Hazard Studies are appropriate for your project.
OTECSA can offer competitive pricing and we have extensive recent experience across many industries such as petrochemicals, distilled spirits and manufacturing. OTECSA are trained and accredited at leading Hazard Studies.
Our training has been provided by ABB in their IChemE accredited Hazard Study leader training course, find out more about this training course here. OTECSA Hazard Study leaders are chartered members of the IChemE, registered with the Engineering Council. We also now have people trained by Method with their IChemE approved course.
Get in touch
Use our contact details, or fill out the form below to get in touch with us.