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The data needs to be collated in a way that makes it easy to evaluate and analyse and just like how we
have automated process systems and analysed the data, we need to automate our safety management
systems. Bow ties are a relative newcomer to risk assessment (hazard visualisation), have in fact the
power to collate and present masses of data and now form an important part of our understanding of
threats and the barriers we have in place to protect and mitigate against MAHs. It may be an old
cliché but a picture does tell a thousand words
The technology has long been available and the security to protect that data now robust enough for
communication across many local and remote mediums
From the Texaco Milford Haven incident of 1994, through Texas City in 2005 to this day, we’ve
gradually (and sometimes painfully) realised that we cannot afford to flood our operations personnel
with genuine or spurious information in the form of alarms, alerts & advisories and by adopting the
principles of EEMUA 191, ANSI/ISA S18.2 or IEC 62682 we help focus their attention (particularly in
times of high activity/stress) to be able to reliably, promptly and safely detect, diagnose and react.
This “micro-management” of process safety is often one of the first lines of defence to prevent
escalation and both End-Users and system Suppliers have invested heavily in HMI that help improve
or assure performance during abnormal situations by providing valuable guidance on short-term
(often immediate) decisions.