PROCESS SAFETY

Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP)

It is a detailed and systematic study of the process to identify the hazards and deviations from design and operation intentions. The anticipation is made through a combination of the process parameters with words-guide for all plant items or process steps, allowing us to identify those deviations with potential for adverse effects on safety, health, environment and operability.

In this study are evaluated: transient conditions (start up, shutdown and upsets); inadequacy of protection and control systems; limited reliability of equipment and ancillaries; human error; potential employees’ exposure in routine operations, decontamination and maintenance; non-compliance with standards and good engineering practices.

The main reference documents are the piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID’s) and the operating procedures. The work team will be multidisciplinary and should comprise the team leader, an engineering or project representative, a safety and environment representative, an operation representative and a maintenance representative.