Process Hazard Analysis

process safetyWhy Is a Process Hazard Analysis Necessary?

In 1992, OSHA issued the PSM mandate (1910.119). This mandate requires employers to perform a process hazard analysis (PHA) of each PSM-covered process. The PHA shall be appropriate to the complexity of the process and shall identify, evaluate, and control the hazards involved in the process.

Cognascents facilitators and engineers are available to help companies comply with PHA requirements of 1910.119 and 40 CFR 68.

Why Is a Risk Assessment Needed?

The Clean Air Act Amendment of 1990, Section 112(r), required the EPA to issue regulations and guidance to prevent accidents and releases at facilities producing, handling, processing, distributing, or storing certain chemicals. The Chemical Accident Prevention Provisions of Section 112(r) require these facilities to develop, implement and sustain a risk management plan (RMP).

Each facility’s program should address risk assessments that detail the potential effects of an accidental release, an accident history of the last five years, and an evaluation of the worst-case and alternative accidental releases. Subparts A, B, C and D of Title 40 Chapter I Subchapter C Part 68 provide guidance regarding risk assessment requirements of the RMP rule.

Cognascents provides the following risk assessment and process hazard analysis services:

  • Hazard and operability studies (HAZOP)
  • Layer of protection analysis (LOPA)
  • Facilitation and scribing personnel
  • Design hazard reviews
  • What-if reviews
  • Checklist reviews
  • Hazard identification reviews (HAZID)
  • Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA)
  • Failure mode, effects and criticality analysis (FMECA)
  • Safer technology and alternative analysis (STAA)
  • Root cause analysis (RCA)
  • Fault tree analysis (FTA)
  • Bow-Tie analysis

Why work with Cognascents' Risk Assessment Team?

Cognascents engineers are well-versed in hazard identification and risk assessment focused on identifying the initiating event, developing a credible consequence, and safeguarding legitimate vulnerabilities.

Our experts are experienced in performing risk assessments on grassroots designs as well as existing facilities before or after incidents resulting in chemical releases. We will work with clients to develop an action plan to address the deficiencies identified by PHAs. We will then manage resolution of all action-plan items while implementing a PHA sustainability assurance program.

Our engineers are multidisciplined engineers with experience across the oil, gas and chemical industries. We have assisted clients through regulatory scrutiny and are very knowledgeable in compliance expectations.

Contact us to plan your next process hazard analysis or risk assessment.

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