HAZOP study is a formal technique, to systematically examine process design w.r.t. hazard identification and operability issues that may be encountered during start-up, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and shutdown of the facility.
HAZOP is a systematic application of recognized techniques by a multidisciplinary team, which identifies potential hazards and operability problems caused by “deviations from the design intent” of both new and existing process plants.
HAZOP study identifies deviations from the system design intent utilizing a core set of guidewords.
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 problems with the system; and
- Identifying cause of production deviations likely to lead to hazardous situations.