What is a HAZOP Study?

The Hazard and Operability Study (or HAZOP Study) is a standard hazard analysis technique used in the preliminary safety assessment of new systems or modifications to existing ones.

The HAZOP study is a detailed examination, by a group of specialists, of components within a system to determine what would happen if that component were to operate outside its normal design mode.

The effects of such behavior is then assessed and noted down on study forms. The categories of information entered on these forms can vary from industry to industry and from company to company.

The Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) study is a widely used formal technique for examining potential safety and operational problems associated with a system.

A HAZOP study is usually carried out by a team, headed by a chairman and a secretary, who have experience both in the use of the HAZOP technique and the system under investigation. The technique was originally developed for the study of chemical process plant but it is now used in a wide range of industries.

The Hazop+™ software was designed as an aid to the HAZOP team by providing an easy method of customizing, recording, managing and reporting the study. Hazop+™ can also be used with similar hazard identification techniques.

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