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HAZARDOUS AREAS + SAFETY
H
azard studies are useful tools in the design of
safe and operable processing plants. More
often than not the information from a
Hazard study never reaches operational and
maintenance personnel and subsequently
understanding of design rationale is typically
not transferred to these colleagues.
Apart from using the hazard studies to
identify and mitigate risks, the information
originating from the hazard studies can
therefore be used as the basis of further and
new training requirements for operator skills
development and plant safety training.
These inputs should also be incorporated into all
of the engineering information, including PFDs, P&IDs,
operating instructions, etc. to ensure that the end user of
the facility has all the information required to operate
the facility safely in a structured and understand-
able format.
In order to fully utilise the information and
know-how originating from hazard studies,
this information should be readily accessible
and easy to understand.
Advanced HAZOP tools can be used to
create simple, structured and easily trans-
ferable reports and information summaries
that ultimately empowers facility operations
and maintenance personnel to maintain a safe
working environment. By implementing HAZOP
software reports can be optimised to keep record of
Utilising
hazard studies
in plant safety
Willie Coetzee, Auctus Holdings and Chris Potgieter, BFluor Chemicals
The benefits of hazard studies can be realised in existing plants when process modifications are contemplated.
Hydrofluoric acid plant
(major hazardous
installation) in Runcorn,
United Kingdom.
Electricity+Control
March ‘16
20