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HAZOP

Safe operations with expert HAZOP analysis

HAZOP is used both during the design stages of a new process or project, for major process modifications, also for during operation to identify what design assumptions could be replaced by operational evidence, and for periodic review of existing operations. The European-Norm EN 61882 and IEC 61882 standard is conventionally used. Most government regulators around the world recognise the HAZOP technique as an acceptable methodology for evaluating risk.
HAZOP Services from DEKRA
Mastering Safety and Efficiency with HAZOP
HAZOP, the Hazard and Operability study encompass a wide range of applications, from initial process design to ongoing operations. Failure to prioritise HAZOP analysis can result in unmitigated risks, hazardous substance releases, and unidentified hazards, all of which can have severe consequences.

Benefits of Our HAZOP Service

  • Minimises the risk of hazardous substance emissions
  • Reduces the impact of hazardous substance releases
  • Identifies hidden or non-obvious hazards through Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
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DEKRA's Approach to HAZOP

Our approach to HAZOP analysis is meticulous and tailored to your specific needs. Here's how we do it:
  • Process Evaluation: We start by reviewing your Process Safety Information (PSI) and identifying any missing data necessary for a comprehensive hazard identification and risk assessment.
  • Design Intent: Establishing the process's design intent, including safe operating parameter ranges.
  • Applying Guide Words: Applying guide words (No, Less, More, Reverse, etc.) to each process parameter to uncover deviations from the design intent.
  • Assessing Control Systems: Evaluating the effectiveness of your control and emergency systems in preventing undesirable process incidents.
  • Consequence Estimation: Estimating the severity and likelihood of undesired incidents, factoring in mitigation safeguards and conditional factors.
  • Risk Matrix: Utilising a risk matrix to gauge the relative risks of these undesired incidents.
  • Safeguard Recommendations: Determining the necessary safeguards and process improvements to bring risks to tolerable levels.
Our process safety specialists compile their recommendations based on industry best practices and your site's unique experience.
Ready to fortify your operations? Take the first step towards safety and efficiency by requesting a pre-assessment with our expert HAZOP consultant today.
From the event that triggers it all to the protective measures in place, we dive into HAZOP scenario. Join us in unraveling hazards, safeguards, conditions, and consequences, all essential for safety and efficiency in your operations.

Applications

The Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) study is the most widely used Process Hazards Analysis (PHA) technique in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, oil and gas, nuclear, and other process industries worldwide.

Team Approach

HAZOP is a brainstorming exercise in which individuals from different disciplines participate. It is vital for the HAZOP team to be limited in size (ideally six people or fewer, excluding the HAZOP facilitator and, if there is one, the HAZOP secretary). It is difficult to establish a maximum and minimum number of participants in a HAZOP, since the various functions necessary may be assumed in different ways in different organisations. Nevertheless, and as a very general criterion, it is safe to say that a HAZOP with fewer than three participants (excluding the HAZOP facilitator and secretary) cannot generate sufficient and meaningful discussion.
From the initial trigger to protective measures, we dive into the HAZOP scenario. unraveling hazards, safeguards, conditions, and consequences, all essential for safety and efficiency in your operations.
Process Safety testing experts
Meet the Experts
Our Process Safety Consulting team is comprised of dedicated professionals with a wealth of knowledge and experience in ensuring the highest standards of safety and reliability. Our experts are passionate about process safety and are committed to helping your organisation navigate the complexities of safety management.
Why Choose DEKRA for HAZOP Risk Assessment?
Technical Expertise:

We combine our HAZOP expertise with cutting-edge process safety technology to deliver unparalleled results.

Global Presence

With a presence worldwide, we are well-versed in local regulations, standards, and cultures.

Multilingual Support

We offer support in multiple languages, ensuring clear communication and understanding across diverse teams.

What Our Clients Say About Us
Very clear report with an excellent summary. Very helpful customer service and great communication. Thank you!
UK based Chemical Speciality Company
Frequently Asked Questions - HAZOP
Knowing what to expect before implementing a HAZOP analysis makes for a more successful and efficient process. To that end, here are some frequently asked questions and answers about how our HAZOP studies work.
A: The Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) methodology is a systematic team-based Process Hazards Analysis (PHA) technique that can be used to effectively identify and analyze the risks of potentially hazardous process operations. It is used during the design stages of a new process or project, for major process modifications and for periodic review of existing operations.
A: The purpose of HAZOP is to prevent the release of hazardous materials and energy, followed by mitigation of the consequences should a release occur. It is essential for the team to identify all the hazards of the process being studied, not just the most obvious ones. Our approach is to use a semi-quantitative HAZOP that incorporates Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) to assess the reliability and number of safeguards.
A: HAZOP is a rigorous, structured, systematic and comprehensive method, and is adaptable to the majority of process industry operations. It fosters the exchange of knowledge and experience among the participants and enables companies to anticipate potential accidents.
A: HAZOP requires a review of all the available Process Safety Information (PSI) as well as identification of any missing PSI necessary for an effective HAZOP analysis. This includes, but may not be limited to:
  • Hazardous materials properties including combustibility, flammability, explosivity, reactivity, self-heating, toxicity, electrostatic properties
  • Process description
  • Process flow sheets
  • Operating procedures
  • Piping and instrumentation drawings (P&IDs)
  • Equipment design specifications
  • Pressure relief systems specifications
  • Site and industry data concerning process-component failure frequencies and probabilities of failure on demand (PFD).
A: Estimating the duration of a HAZOP is not, of course, an exact science; it requires a good knowledge of the methodology, complexity of the process, nature of the risks that can be identified up front and, of course, the idiosyncrasy of the group. In no case should a HAZOP be carried out without an estimated agenda, but it is not acceptable for the estimation to be rigid and not subject to modification (up or down) as necessary.
A: At the conclusion of the HAZOP analysis, our process safety specialist will present the observations, findings, and conclusions of the analysis, and preliminary recommendations and suggestions of the HAZOP team to members of the site management. Shortly thereafter, our process safety specialist will submit a written draft report to the client outlining the HAZOP team’s recommendations and suggestions for improvements to the process based on the site’s experience and on recognized and generally-accepted good engineering practices. Following the receipt of comments from the client, a final report will be issued.
A: Firstly, planning errors can negatively impact the HAZOP study. While an estimated time frame should be in place, lack of flexibility can lead to incomplete analyses. Another pitfall is insufficient, outdated, or missing information. In order to properly identify and address potential hazards, the HAZOP team must have access to timely and complete information. A lack of focus and discipline among team members is also a common problem. Allowing outside calls and interruptions during HAZOP meetings, as well as tardiness or absences hinders the team’s progress. The so-called “minimalist HAZOP” is yet another typical mistake. This refers to superficial studies where key words or parameters are omitted, repetitions are frequent or templates are used, all of which can short-circuit the brainstorming work that allows the team to uncover less obvious risks and hazards. Finally, the “bureaucratic HAZOP” is a subset of the minimalist version. Here the process is reduced to a formulaic box-checking exercise, resulting in repetition and hampering a deeper analysis.
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