Considering the complexity and volatile nature of today’s chemical processes, Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) studies are necessary for risk management of highly hazardous process systems.
Hazardous chemical facilities have a responsibility to protect people and their environment, as well as property. The best option for completing a PHA is to find experienced specialists who can identify hazard scenarios that create adverse effects.
Our Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) team consists of experienced engineers from a wide variety of backgrounds. Our final analysis is compliant with OSHA standards, uses predictive techniques and methodologies, and we will document the Process Hazard Analysis study findings with a report.
Keeping to a Schedule
A critical factor of inaccurate reporting is timing, and schedule pressures may intrude on the process.
Many times a hazard analysis is required before a plant goes into production. It may be occurring after an incident has happened or maybe a new plant is being started up. Regardless, it typically means the plant is not producing.
This puts pressure on the hazard team leader to stick to the schedule or even shorten the schedule for cost reasons. It can lead to shortcuts that fail to reveal critical hazards and compromise the whole study.
Combination Studies
An extension of the schedule pressure is an attempt to combine studies. It might seem like the efficient thing to do, but it shows a lack of understanding of the process.
A hazard analysis should be designed around a particular process. It should be well defined to look at only that process to avoid becoming too diverse. An attempt to combine studies will only compromise the entire process for both analyses.
Other Issues
There are a host of other issues that can compromise a Hazard analysis. These include:
Analysis by Difference – This is where one piece of a process is reviewed and then applied to all parallel process streams. The issues here are that there may be differences in each of the streams that are not identified.
Lack of Information – Materials such as drawings, and data including process details or equipment specifications are typical pieces of information that might be missing.
Education Opportunity Perspective – Hazard analysis is often seen as an opportunity to learn more about a process. This can be a serious mistake.
COSTELLO Can Get the Process Hazard Analysis Right
COSTELLO uses several advanced methods when called upon to perform Process Hazard Analysis. Those include using predictive PHA techniques as well as tools like HAZOP studies, What-If Studies, FMEA analysis and MHA analysis.
COSTELLO provides you with a team leader who is capable of working as a facilitator for your on-site staff in conducting the analysis. Once it is completed, a comprehensive report is delivered with the results.
COSTELLO can perform new studies or even review old PHAs that were conducted and revalidate them for you. Our studies are guaranteed to meet or exceed the expectations of local and federal OSHA standards and fall into compliance with your own internal safety and health standards.
Contact COSTELLO to learn more about your PHA services and how they can help your company.
Phone: 310-792-5870 Email: rcca@rccostello.com
Website: rccostello.com