A HAZID (Hazard Identification) is a systematic approach for identification and review of hazards in the early phase of design or during planning of activities. A HAZID is normally followed by a more comprehensive risk assessment. The study is often performed in a workshop and would typically take 1 to 3 days. In addition to a HAZID Chair and Secretary, participants should be from Operations and Engineering/Design. Hazards which are reviewed could be;
- Pressure
- Temperature
- Hydrocarbons
- Flammable materials
- Moving objects
- Working in heights
- Working above sea
- Extreme weather
Having identified the hazards, the facility’s measures to eliminate or reduce the probability of the hazards being realised, e.g. measures to avoid a ship impacting another ship, will be identified. Eventually, identification of measures mitigating the consequences of an accident is necessary to complete the overall coarse risk assessment.
Since a HAZID is solely an identification of (and qualitative assessment of) hazards, causes, consequences, preventive measures (PM) and mitigating measures (MM), it can rarely conclude on risk acceptance. But in case the workshop reveals insufficient controls or mitigating measures, alternative or additional controls/measures can be discussed in terms of risk reduction and cost/feasibility of implementation.
Notations used above can be structured in a bow-tie as displayed in the figure below.
