Hazop - A Structured Technique for Systematic Examination of Risks

Running head: HAZOP
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Hazop
Name of the Student
Name of the Institution

HAZOP
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Hazop
Introduction
Hazard and operability analysis (HAZOP) is a careful and systematic analysis of a
process or an operation with the objective of determining whether deviation from an intended
operation can lead to a hazard or undesirable outcome. In other words, it is a technique of
identifying any potential hazard or any problems in operations that result in risks. Primarily,
HAZOP is based on the theory that assumes that risks are caused by either deliberate or
unintentional deviation from the intended operation. Risk analysis is an important undertaking in
an existing or a new operation. Thus HAZOP is a step by step analysis applicable to both
ongoing and new projects. Thus, the main goal of this paper is to discuss the history of HAZOP
as well as how it is different from techniques such as LOPA and QRA.
A Brief History of HAZOP
The development of HAZOP begun with the pioneering work led by Ellis Knowlton and
Trevor Kletz at the Imperial Chemical Industry (ICI) in the 1960s through the early 1970s.
HAZOP was initially adopted in the chemical industries where it was used to assess the risks
associated with any possible deviation from the intended project. According to Limb (2009),
Kletz has since then ensured the update of the methods through mnemonic demonstrations. The
evolvement of the HAZOP procedure included the use of keywords that were combined to
enable the structuring of a team’s analysis of the newly invented process designs.
Limb (2009), also notes that the use of “keywords” has been replaced with “guidewords”
or “parameters” which are used interchangeably. In other words, the HAZOP process entailed
the combination of the parameters or keywords and guidewords for positive or negative

HAZOP
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deviation from the measured operating variables such as pressure and temperature. Additionally,
following the widespread use of the HAZOP, the HAZOP report was adopted as a document of
legal importance following the HSE focus on the increased publication of accidents in industries.
How HAZOP Works
HAZOP has widely been adopted in different facilities mainly due to its ability to not
only identify hazards but also operational problems. Among the fields where HAZOP has been
adopted include analysis of hazards in photovoltaic field, road safety measures, and medical
diagnostic system. Dunjó et al (2010) connote that the wide use of HAZOP demonstrates how
the approach is considered as a significant technique for improving different types of systems.
Generally, there are four fundamental phases involves in HAZOP analysis. These methods
include; definition phase, preparation phase, examination phase, and documentation and follow-
up phase.
Central to the definition phase is the identification of the risk and operation assessment
team. The team should comprise the members from diverse disciplines because HAZOP calls for
a cross-functional team. Thus, the risk assessment team entails multi-disciplinary specialists
(SMEs) with the relevant experience and skills and who exhibit informed judgment and intuition
(Product Quality Research Institute). Thus, the team members should include individuals with
broad and current knowledge of deviations of the system. The team must, first of all, define the
scope of its study, the main interfaces, and define the assumptions under which the assessment is
performed. Preparation phase, on the other hand, includes such activities as identification and
location of data and information to support the assessment, identifying the audience/users of the