Introduction to Hazard Studies
CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION
2 HAZARD EVALUATION TECHNIQUES
2.1 Hazard Identification and Control
2.2 Selection of Technique
2.3 GBHE Hazard Study Procedure
2.3.1 Study One – Concept stage hazard review
2.3.2 Study two - Front-end engineering design
and project definition
2.3.3 Study three – detailed design hazard study
2.3.4 Study four – construction/ design verification
2.3.5 Study five – pre-commissioning safety review
2.3.6 Study six – project close-out/ post start-up review
2.4 Application of Hazard Study Procedure
2.5 Outcomes from the Process
2.6 the Hazard Study Toolkit
2.7 Change Management/Modifications
3 HAZARD STUDY LEADER CAPABILITY AND APPOINTMENT
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
A THE PROJECT PROCESS
B GBHE HAZARD STUDY TOOLKIT
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GBH Enterprises, Ltd.
Process Safety Guide:
GBHE-PSG-HST-001
Introduction to Hazard Studies
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Process Safety Guide: Introduction to Hazard Studies
CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION
2 HAZARD EVALUATION TECHNIQUES
2.1 Hazard Identification and Control
2.2 Selection of Technique
2.3 GBHE Hazard Study Procedure
2.3.1 Study One – Concept stage hazard review
2.3.2 Study two - Front-end engineering design
and project definition
2.3.3 Study three – detailed design hazard study
2.3.4 Study four – construction/ design verification
2.3.5 Study five – pre-commissioning safety review
2.3.6 Study six – project close-out/ post start-up review
2.4 Application of Hazard Study Procedure
2.5 Outcomes from the Process
2.6 the Hazard Study Toolkit
2.7 Change Management/Modifications
3 HAZARD STUDY LEADER CAPABILITY AND APPOINTMENT
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
A THE PROJECT PROCESS
B GBHE HAZARD STUDY TOOLKIT
3. Refinery Process Stream Purification Refinery Process Catalysts Troubleshooting Refinery Process Catalyst Start-Up / Shutdown
Activation Reduction In-situ Ex-situ Sulfiding Specializing in Refinery Process Catalyst Performance Evaluation Heat & Mass
Balance Analysis Catalyst Remaining Life Determination Catalyst Deactivation Assessment Catalyst Performance
Characterization Refining & Gas Processing & Petrochemical Industries Catalysts / Process Technology - Hydrogen Catalysts /
Process Technology – Ammonia Catalyst Process Technology - Methanol Catalysts / process Technology – Petrochemicals
Specializing in the Development & Commercialization of New Technology in the Refining & Petrochemical Industries
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1 INTRODUCTION
Hazard studies are required for the identification of hazards and the assessment
of risks for all new or significant modifications of processes, plants, equipment
and buildings. Appropriate hazard studies should be performed at various stages
from early development through to beneficial manufacture and final closure.
They are also required for periodic review of hazards as part of ongoing SSHE
assurance.
This document describes the ‘GBHE’ hazard study toolkit’ and contains guidance
on:
• techniques for the evaluation of hazards and the use of the hazard study
procedure;
• use of hazard studies in management of change/modifications;
• Hazard study leader capability and appointment.
It does not cover the identification and control of product hazards.
Who is it intended for?
• Managers responsible for the selection and appointment of hazard study
leaders.
• Site Responsible Engineers or managers responsible for local procedures
on hazard evaluation procedures.
• Hazard study leaders and hazard study participants.
• Project managers.
• Persons responsible for the examination and approval of modifications.
This guidance supports the requirements of the Responsible Care Management
Systems. (RCMS) and will assist with the implementation of SSHE Guidelines
and GBHE Engineering Procedure GBHE_PSG_EP_6.
A glossary of terms used can be found in Process SHE Practitioner Guide
GBHE-PGP-003/008.
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Process Technology – Ammonia Catalyst Process Technology - Methanol Catalysts / process Technology – Petrochemicals
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2 HAZARD EVALUATION TECHNIQUES
2.1 Hazard Identification and Control
It is important that all significant hazards are identified and satisfactorily
controlled if they cannot be removed or eliminated.
The depth of hazard identification and risk assessment and the methodology
used should be appropriate to the risk to safety, security, health, the environment
or business. Where appropriate, screening criteria should be used in order to
identify those hazards or risks that require more detailed assessment or
additional management measures. A hierarchical approach to risk management
should be followed by exploring practical opportunities to:
2.2 Selection of Technique
The hazard assessment technique selected and the depth of study required
needs to be relevant to the hazards involved and the risks to be managed for the
business and location. In determining the hazard study technique to be used,
judgments have to be made. It is recommended that local guidance is prepared
to assist managers who make these judgments
.
Techniques may be generally classified into two types: Task based and Process
or Equipment based:
• Task based techniques include Job Safety Analysis and Task Analysis.
These are a systematic approach to breaking a job / work task down into
its component parts and identifying the hazards associated with each part
of a given job. Guidance on the use of all these techniques can be found
in Process SHE Practitioner Guide GBHE-PGP-005.
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Process Technology – Ammonia Catalyst Process Technology - Methanol Catalysts / process Technology – Petrochemicals
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• Process and Equipment based analysis include techniques such as
process hazard analysis, Checklist Analysis, What-if Analysis, FMEA
(Failure Modes and Effects Analysis) and Quantified Risk Analysis (QRA).
Process hazard studies are required when plants, equipment, buildings or
processes are new or altered.
The recommended GBHE process hazard study procedure uses six stages and
is similar to that described in chemical process safety publications such as
'HAZOP: Guide to best practice' and ‘Guidelines for Hazard Evaluation
Procedures’. This procedure can be applied to both continuous and batch plant
processes.
2.3 GBHE Hazard Study Procedure
The recommended GBHE hazard study procedure is summarized below. Not all
of the stages described may need to be covered in every application:
2.3.1 Study one - Concept stage hazard review
In this first study, the basic hazards of the materials and the operation are
identified and SHE criteria set. It identifies what information is needed and
the program of studies required, ensuring that all safety, health and
environmental issues are adequately addressed. The aspects covered
may include reaction kinetics, toxicity data, environmental impact and any
special process features that need further evaluation. In addition, any
constraints due to relevant legislation are identified. A decision may be
taken on which of the remaining hazard studies (two to six) should also be
undertaken. It is also important at this stage to apply the principles of
inherent SHE within the design.
2.3.2 Study two - Front-end engineering design and project
definition
This study typically covers hazard identification and risk assessment,
operability and control features that shall be built onto the detailed design,
and any special environmental features to be covered. Potential for loss of
containment will also be identified. Alarm and trip systems can be
considered here and inherent SHE principles continue to be applied.
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2.3.3 Study three - detailed design hazard study
This normally involves a detailed review of a firm design aimed at the
identification of hazard and operability problems. Relief and blowdown
studies, area classification, personal protection and manual handling may,
if appropriate, be included at this stage. HAZOP studies are normally
carried out at this stage.
HAZCON or HAZDEM studies are sometimes carried out at this stage.
2.3.4 Study four - construction/design verification
This review is performed at the end of the construction stage. The
hardware is checked to ensure it has been built as intended and that there
are no violations of the designer's intent. It also confirms that the actions
from the detailed design hazard studies 1, 2 and 3 are incorporated, and
operating and emergency procedures are checked.
2.3.5 Study five - pre-commissioning safety review
This examines the preparedness of the operations group for start-up and
typically covers training, the final operating procedures, preparation
procedures and readiness for start-up including function testing,
cleanliness and purging. Confirmation of compliance with company and
legislative standards is done at this stage.
2.3.6 Study six - project close-out/post start-up review
This study, carried out a few months into the production phase, confirms
that all outstanding issues from the previous five studies are complete and
seeks any lessons that might give useful feedback to future design work.
In practice, some studies may be combined, for example with small
projects or modifications.
A Periodic Hazard Review (PHR) may be carried out periodically on
existing plant using Hazard Study 1 and 2 methodologies.
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Process Technology – Ammonia Catalyst Process Technology - Methanol Catalysts / process Technology – Petrochemicals
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2.4 Application of Hazard Study Procedure
In determining the extent of hazard studies necessary, and the method to use,
note the following:
• For capital projects a multi-stage approach should be used that matches
the stages of the project process and project development. See appendix
A for a typical project process and the relationship with the hazard study
stages.
• When a significantly new process is being developed and for all process
development projects a Hazard Study 1 should be carried out as soon as
possible for a basic identification of hazards. If the study demonstrates
that there are no significant hazards, it may be agreed that no further
hazard studies will be necessary. For most projects with significant
process hazards and complexity, Hazard Study 2 and a specific detailed
design stage study (e.g. HAZOP or similar) should be carried out.
• For major and high hazard processes, a full series of specific hazard
studies covering initial design through to and including ongoing operation
stages should be carried out for new plants and for modifications or
extensions to existing plants.
• There may be requirements in local legislation for HAZOP studies, PHRs
and pre start-up reviews. For example, legislation in Europe to implement
the Directive 96/82/EC on the control of major accident hazards involving
dangerous substances; in the USA, the OSHA Process Safety
Management Standard and EPA Risk Management Program. Hazard
studies meeting the requirements of the GBHE guidance should normally
be sufficient to satisfy such statutory requirements.
• Local procedures should ensure that a hazard methodology is applied to
all change management/ modification projects. Changes to existing
processes, buildings, plant and equipment, need to be registered and
controlled. Each change or modification should be reviewed and a
decision made as to the requirement and extent of hazard study.
Modifications with significant process hazards and complexity should be
treated as projects and receive a full series of hazard studies.
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• The frequency of PHRs should also be relevant to the hazards involved.
For plant with significant process hazards, a review should be made at
least once every five years (that will be a statutory requirement for plants
in a number of countries). Longer periods between reviews may be
appropriate for plants of lesser hazard or risk and in some cases more
frequent reviews may be necessary.
2.5 Outcomes from the Process
The process of hazard identification and risk assessment will result in an
understanding of hazards and their potential consequences. In practical terms
the outcomes will include:
• identification of hazards and their elimination or minimization;
• implementation of required protection by appropriate physical changes,
procedural measures and controls;
• identification of critical equipment and the need for critical safety
instrumented systems, schedules of routine inspection and testing and
equipment records;
• Worksheets and actions which are summarized into a hazard study report
that provides a record of the decision processes and risk management
requirements at each stage of the process. Full completion of
documentation is recommended and is often a regulatory requirement.
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2.6 The Hazard Study Toolkit
GBHE guidance on the hazard study process is summarized in appendix B - The
GBHE Hazard Study Toolkit.
This consists of:
• Practitioner guides for trained hazard study leaders – this includes
guidance on each stage, worksheets and specialist techniques. Guidance
on training and validation of leaders is also included.
• GBHE Process Information – this should include key contacts and
examples of hazard study application. A list of validated hazard study
leaders should be included.
• Standardized hazard study worksheets.
• Chemical process safety publications such as 'HAZOP: Guide to best
practice'
2.7 The Hazard Study Toolkit
A change to an existing facility or the way it is operated requires a modification
procedure. Any procedure developed to identify and control the hazards arising
from modifications needs to be:
(a) Flexible in its ability to handle minor modifications to large complex
modifications;
(b) Effective in identifying hazards including obscure hazards;
(c) Simple to understand and apply, and encourage employee participation.
An example local procedure for the control of modifications is available in the
guidance documentation. See Process SHE Practitioner Guide GBHE-PGP-006.
Modification procedures fall under GBHE SSHE GBHE-PGP-006.
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Process Technology – Ammonia Catalyst Process Technology - Methanol Catalysts / process Technology – Petrochemicals
Specializing in the Development & Commercialization of New Technology in the Refining & Petrochemical Industries
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3 HAZARD STUDY LEADER CAPABILITY AND APPOINTMENT
A formal program of training and experience is required for validated GBHE
hazard study leaders. Details of the training and validation process may be found
in the hazard study toolkit documentation. See Process SHE Practitioner Guide
GBHE-PGP-007.
Key appointments are defined in GBHE_PSG_EP_1. The responsibilities of the
Site Responsible Engineer, Project Manager, Hazard Study Leader, Operating
Manager and Commissioning Manager respectively are described in
GBHE_PSG_EP_6. Businesses may have their own equivalent business
engineering procedures for implementation of the GBHE_PSG_EPs.
REFERENCES
Books
'HAZOP' Guide to Best Practice, published by IChemE Guidelines for Hazard
Evaluation Procedures, published by CCPS
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Characterization Refining & Gas Processing & Petrochemical Industries Catalysts / Process Technology - Hydrogen Catalysts /
Process Technology – Ammonia Catalyst Process Technology - Methanol Catalysts / process Technology – Petrochemicals
Specializing in the Development & Commercialization of New Technology in the Refining & Petrochemical Industries
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APPENDIX A THE PROJECT PROCESS
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Characterization Refining & Gas Processing & Petrochemical Industries Catalysts / Process Technology - Hydrogen Catalysts /
Process Technology – Ammonia Catalyst Process Technology - Methanol Catalysts / process Technology – Petrochemicals
Specializing in the Development & Commercialization of New Technology in the Refining & Petrochemical Industries
Web Site: www.GBHEnterprises.com
13. Refinery Process Stream Purification Refinery Process Catalysts Troubleshooting Refinery Process Catalyst Start-Up / Shutdown
Activation Reduction In-situ Ex-situ Sulfiding Specializing in Refinery Process Catalyst Performance Evaluation Heat & Mass
Balance Analysis Catalyst Remaining Life Determination Catalyst Deactivation Assessment Catalyst Performance
Characterization Refining & Gas Processing & Petrochemical Industries Catalysts / Process Technology - Hydrogen Catalysts /
Process Technology – Ammonia Catalyst Process Technology - Methanol Catalysts / process Technology – Petrochemicals
Specializing in the Development & Commercialization of New Technology in the Refining & Petrochemical Industries
Web Site: www.GBHEnterprises.com