Risk assessment for installations and processes

The most logical method for carrying out a risk assessment is set out in the EU’s EN-ISO-14121-1 standard. This standard is also recommended in Policy Regulation 7.3-4.

Risk assessment for large and complex installations

The risk assessment specified in EN-ISO-14121-1 is often insufficient for larger and more complex installations. Risk assessments for such installations should be much more in-depth and should be based on the risk of failure for components. Technology such as HAZOP and FME(C)A are frequently used to make such assessments.

A number of tools can be used when determining the risks.
There are two lines of approach:

  • Deductive: the ultimate occurrence is assumed and the causes are deduced
  • Inductive: a failure in a component is assumed and the effects are deduced

Tools

  • Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), e.g. at the start of a project: deductive.
  • Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP) for the entire factory complex: inductive. 
  • WHAT-IF Method for simple processes, using a checklist: inductive. 
  • Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA): all possible failures are examined for each component: inductive 
  • DEFI Method for software: inductive . 
  • Method Organised for a Systemic Analysis of Risks (MOSAR Method): this is extremely comprehensive: inductive . 
  • Fault Tree Analysis (FTA): this is used for analysing the dangers, not for identification purposes: deductive. 
  • DELPHI Technique: this carries out several interviews with experts. Each interview includes the information  from the previous one: deductive. 
  •  Risk graph or the Fine & Kinney method: this identifies the dangers and quantifies the risks: deductive.
Back to top