Process Hazard Analysis (PHA)

Process Hazard Analysis (PHA)

Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) : Through process hazard analysis, we identify and evaluate the hazards of processes involving high-risk chemicals and establish a systematic approach to its control, which plays an important role in preventing chemical accidents.

The main objective of process hazard analysis is to identify and evaluate incidents and then consider their control, and to reduce the likelihood of consequences of accidents caused by hazardous substances, the main objective of PHA.

Therefore, in a place where the level of risk is high during the work, process hazard analysis is considered at such a place, which proves to be a good option to do the work systematically and prevent accidents.

In such a situation, during the work we have to identify such places where process hazard analysis is required, and there is a need to evaluate from time to time during the work how much PHA is affected.

Wherever there is a deficiency in the process hazard analysis, then after evaluating it, it is implemented again effectively.

Process Hazard Analysis Concept

As far as process hazard analysis is concerned, it plays an important role in improving safety within any organization and in preventing the effects of unplanned release of chemicals and prevention and decision making. So when thinking about PHAs, the first simple question to ask is “Is risk at the workplace acceptable?”

The PHA should always be performed by a well-trained, experienced and competent team and should include a process engineer. This is done so that there will be no output commitments for the tasks and people will not think that it is a waste of time.

If the team member lacks knowledge and experience with him then the result of PHA can be useless and very bad, as it is not implemented properly at workplace.

When a person is not confident while designing a PHA that the process and technology of the PHA designed is not efficient enough, they are unable to implement an effective process hazard analysis.

All the organizations where the employees are working, then the expenses on accidents that happen at such places are high and most of the organizations understand that definitely it is very expensive and it is unnecessary cost which should be prevented. could.

Therefore, it is very important to understand the exact cause of accidents, to find appropriate solutions to prevent them and prevent recurrence of damages.

As far as the PHA is concerned, it is basically a model that plays an important role in determining the adequate and effective control of the identified potential hazards and risks within the organization. That is why it is very important to understand the exact purpose of whatever program is conducted within the organization to prevent harm.

Therefore, you have to understand that it is not enough to be safe by investing sufficient amount to reduce the risks, but by effectively implementing the PHA, the risks can be reduced and the loss of property can be prevented.

Principles of Process Hazard Analysis

Process hazard analysis is done to analyze and identify threats within any organization and also to analyze the importance of threats.

Through this, the security measures within the organization are seen whether it is adequately given according to the task or not. And whether a systematic and comprehensive review of the process has been done to reduce them when necessary find out through it.

PHA is not meant to review the design and quality of any work or the operation of the work. This process should take place before PHA meetings to ensure that everyone has accepted the functionality of the PHA design.

While working within the organization we see or experience that most of the accidents are due to equipment failure or improper operation of the equipment. And some accidents are caused due to failure of risk control.

There are some such errors within the organization which indicate accidents such as – maintenance error, alarm failures, shut down system failures, events occur due to source of ignition or failure of management system.

Therefore, in order to avoid such errors, we design an engineer system which provides freedom from all the above mentioned dangers.

When do You Perform PHA

– When a new project is started.

– After making changes in the processes that are going on at the workplace.

– To assess process risks and changes in the operation of facilities every year, two years, or five years of existing facilities.

In terms of a proper PHA assessment, it focuses on collectively reviewing the risks of design and safety as well as operational teams and incorporating input approaches to prevent accidents and develop procedures.

We see that most of the organization prefers techniques like JSA, HAZOP or Risk Assessment to prevent accidents.

Methodologies of Process Hazard Analysis

Any process at the workplace can be successful only when the people working in that place have a common understanding of the risks accepted, if the understanding of the risks is not equal then meaningless discussions take place at that place and the result is that Could not get clarified.

It can be more effective only if following points are followed.

1. What if there are risks at work? This question should be considered from the start of the work.

2. Check list should be available for each job.

3. Work site hazard and work operability study should be done (HAZOP)

4. Fail Mode of Work and its Effects Analysis (FMEA)

5. Fault Tree Analysis (FTA).

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