The HAZOP study method was developed by ICI in the 1960s and

its use and development was encouraged by the Chemical Industries

Association (CIA) Guide published in 1977. Since then, it has become
the technique of choice for many of those involved in the design of
new processes and operations. In addition to its power in identifying
safety, health, and environmental (SHE) hazards, a HAZOP study can
also be used to search for potential operating problems. Not surprisingly, the
method has been applied in many different ways within
the process industries.1
While it is frequently used on new facilities, it is now often applied
to existing facilities and modifications. It has also been successfully
applied to process documentation, pilot plant, and hazardous laboratory operations
as well as tasks such as commissioning and decommissioning, emergency operations,
and incident investigation.
The objective here is to describe and illustrate the HAZOP study
method, showing a variety of uses and some of the approaches that
have been successful within the process industry. An important input
has come from European Process Safety Centre (EPSC) members
where 22 member companies responded in a survey carried out prior
to the first edition of this Guide (2000). This identified many features
generally regarded as essential to a good study. In addition, many
common variations were described. These variations are in part due
to the range of problems encountered within industry but also reflect
individual choices of style. HAZOP study is a versatile technique and
HAZOP: Guide to Best Practice. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-39460-
4.00001-3
Copyright � 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.good results may be achieved by
several different approaches provided
the basic principles are followed. It is hoped that this Guide will help
maintain a high standard for HAZOP study within the industry, both
by raising quality and encouraging flexibility without putting any
unnecessary constraints upon its use and development.
The HAZOP study method is well developed and is useful in most
applications. There are other methods, however, that may have to be
considered depending on the complexity and hazards of the installation
being constructed and the state of the design. This publication does
not address these methods in detail but their importance is discussed
in Chapter 2. A fuller account is given in the IChemE Guide, Hazard
Identification Methods.2
Finally, three illustrations of process industry applications are given
in Appendices 3, 4 and 5. These examples cannot fully represent all the
possible applications and process industries and readers new to HAZOP
study are advised to consult the reference list,3-6 the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard,7 or guidelines written
specifically for other industries.
It is hoped that this guide will help people within the process
industries, including all those with responsibilities within safety management
systems. Although it is primarily written for HAZOP study
leaders, scribes, and members, it may also be of use to those involved
in training and plant management.
1.2 ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF HAZOP STUDY
A HAZOP study is a structured analysis of a system, process, or
operation for which detailed design information is available, carried
out by a multidisciplinary team. The team proceeds on a line-by-line
or stage-by-stage examination of a firm design for the process or
operation. While being systematic and rigorous, the analysis also aims
to be open and creative. This is done by using a set of guidewords in
combination with the system parameters to seek meaningful deviations
from the design intention. A meaningful deviation is one that is physically
possible�for example, no flow, high pressure, or reverse reaction.
Deviations such as no temperature or reverse viscosity have no sensible, physical
meaning and are not considered. The team concentrates