A Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) study is a structured hazard identification technique using a multi-disciplinary team for identification of process hazards with respect to design & operation of a facility. Typically, HAZOP study is undertaken, with the objective of:
- identifying potential hazards in the system. The hazards involved may include both those essentially relevant only to the immediate area of the system and those with a much wider sphere of influence, e.g. some environmental hazards;
- identifying potential operability issues including maintenance with the system; and
- identifying cause of production deviations likely to lead to hazardous situations / operability issues.
A HAZOP study identifies deviations from the system design intent utilizing a core set of guidewords. Thetechnique aims to stimulate the imagination of participants in a systematic way to identify hazards andoperability issues.
