HAZOP (Hazard and Operability Study)

HAZOP is a systematic technique of risk analysis of a system and its examination and its risk
assessment. It is a bottom-up approach i.e. it requires proper availability of documentation
and time. It takes care of the all the available risks and hazards in which it is going to be
conducted. Gives off the precise picture of the available risks in the environment.

HAZOP analysis is conducted in four phases and these are as follows:

1. Definition: Definition of scope & objectives and its boundaries is involved in the first
steps. It also involves deciding of team.
2. Preparation: Preparation involves planning the study, collection of data
(documentation related to the study), estimating the time and arranging the schedule.
Assigning them their specific tasks.
3. Examination: It is the most important step in HAZOP because the whole hazard
analysis is going to be conducted in this step. Dividing the system into many parts for
the analysis of the specific task in the time bound manner. Identifying the deviation
and identifying the consequences as well as hazards. Agree actions and remedial
measures and assigning them with proper follow ups.
4. Documentation and follow-ups: It involve final documentation report of the HAZOP
analysis with proper signs of the team involved in it. Follow-ups should be assigned
to take recommended measures to overcome the consequences of the risks.

MISTAKES WHILE CONDUCTIONG HAZOP ANALYSIS:

Planning Stage

 Mismanagement of time-allotment issues: One of the most frequent mistakes of a

HAZOP is failure to manage the time allotted for the study. A HAZOP is often
scheduled for a set amount of time, neither by the HAZOP facilitator nor the team,
and sufficient time may not have been allocated.
 Incomplete, inaccurate or unavailable process safety information: Another common
mistake during a HAZOP is not having all the prerequisite process safety information
(PSI) and other valuable information available, including out-of-date or incomplete
information. Can be critical regarding the piping, instrumentation and maintenance
issues.
 Incorrect Size of HAZOP team: The size of team should be 5-7 members and should
exceeding may lead more brainstorming and discussion resulting in more time taken
for HAZOP. If the size of team is less than the 5 members then may the SME’s gets
excluded from the team.
Execution stage

 Lack of focus during the meeting: Team members should not be allowed to come and
go into and out of the meeting, take phone calls, answer emails, or discuss issues not
related to the HAZOP during the sessions. Use of an offsite venue may be helpful to
prevent plant operations from becoming a distraction.
 Preventing the team from brainstorming: Brainstorming is an important part of
HAZOP to come up with best possible mitigative measures, eg: using of the same
template form that was used earlier by any other team for the same kind of work i.e.
just copy pasting.
 Mistaking the tools for the process: It should not be viewed as Questionnaire i.e.
needs not to complete or fill all the blanks, only necessary actions need to be taken.
