How to improve the effectiveness of hazard and operability analysis

The key elements that make the hazards and operability (HAZOP) technique effective for identifying chemical process hazards are outlined. Six categories of problems that can sometimes reduce the effectiveness of HAZOP and even prevent it from discovering some major hazards are explained. Several examples are included to show how lack of experience, failure to communicate, management shortcomings, complacency and poor loss-prevention practices, a shortage of technical information, and other limitations, each contribute to the problem. Practical solutions are recommended for countering the difficulties and for making the HAZOP a more effective risk-management tool