What is HAZOP?
The Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP) is standard hazard identification and analysis technique that is used to review a process or operation on a system that works systematically.
Hazop is a qualitative risk analysis technique used to identify weaknesses and hazards in the facility/plant process in the existing environment or system.
The purpose of using Hazop is to review a process or operation of a system that works systematically, as well as to determine whether the process can lead to unwanted events or accidents. This method is used as a prevention effort so that the process that takes place in a plant/system can run smoothly and safely.
Characteristics of HAZOP:
As a standard technique used to identify possible deviations from normal operation, Hazop has the following characteristics:
Systematic, namely using a high structure or arrangement by relying on guide words and the idea of the team to continue and ensure the safe guards match or not with the place and object being tested.
Specialization of forms by various kinds of disciplines owned by team members.
Can be used for various systems or procedures. Its use is more as a system of cultural interpretation techniques.
Initial estimates, so as to be able to produce good quality even though quantity is also influential.
HAZOP working procedure in steps:
The HAZOP procedure uses the steps to complete the analysis as follows:
-
Start with a detailed flowsheet. Break the flowsheet into several number of process units. Process breakdown becomes smaller and detailed sub-processes. To clarify the separation between sub-processes, given a node (node) at the end of each sub-process. For example, what will be examined is the reactor area
-
Select the study node, which unit will be studied. For example the reactor area is the vessel.
-
Describe the design of the study node. For example, V-1 vessels are designed to store the availability of benzene and provide it for reactors.
-
Determine process parameters, namely: flow, level, temperature, pressure, concentration, pH, viscosity, state (solid, liquid, gas), agitation, volume, reaction, sample, component, start, stop, stability, power, inert.
-
Apply guideword to process parameters to see possible deviations.
-
Identification of the consequences that may occur and the causes.
-
Identification of existing safeguards, detection devices, and marking machines.
-
Give recommendations (What? By whom? When?)
-
Record all information.
-
Repeat steps 5 to stage 10 until all the guidewords used are applied to the selected parameters
-
Repeat step 4 to stage 11 until all process parameters are considered in the given node study.
-
Repeat step 2 to step 12 until the study node is considered in the given section and continue to the other sections in the flowsheet.
Advantages of HAZOP:
-
Hazard analysis techniques are arranged systematically, comprehensively and flexibly both before a system is in production, can also identify modifications to existing equipment to reduce risk problems and operations.
-
Hazop can identify exactly what critical deviations occur and their causes.
-
Not only focus on safety, but also identify hazards (prevent accidents) and operability (running a smooth process so as to increase plant performance).
-
It is suitable to be done in groups involving experts from multi disciplines and led by experienced work safety specialists or special consultants.
-
The use of keywords (guide word) is very effective to keep the participants who do Hazop so that no points are forgotten