Chapter 5. Preliminary Hazard Analysis

5.1. Preliminary Hazard Analysis

5.2. Methodology

5.3. Advantages and Disadvantages

5.1. Preliminary Hazard Analysis

Hazard identification technique that focuses on the conceptual design phase of a project

To eliminate costly delays due to design changes by identifying potential hazards of preliminary process design

This analysis focuses on the preliminary design phase of a project. It identifies any possible hazards that may be associated with the design. This way the necessary design changes can be made at a project’s infancy instead of in its final stages when major changes can be extremely costly.

5.2. Methodology

Assess conceptual design to identify and examine hazards related to:

• Feedstock materials
• Major process components
• Utility and support systems
• Environmental factors
• Proposed operations
• Facilities
• Safeguards

In the preliminary hazard analysis, one must assess the conceptual design so that hazards can be examined and identified. As listed here, hazards are typically associated with feeds, process components, utilities, adverse weather conditions, startup, emergencies, waste processing and safety equipment .

5.3. Advantages and Disadvantages

            Advantages
Helps eliminate costly modifications
Fortifies proposed process design by adding safety factors into design criteria

            Disadvantages
Cannot prioritize findings
Not as systematic so relies heavily on the analyst

Using a preliminary hazards analysis in the conceptual stages of the design helps avoid future costly modifications. This analysis also helps to strengthen the design by including safety factors in the conceptual phase of the design.

A drawback of the preliminary hazard analysis is that it cannot prioritize findings. Therefore, every recommendation is weighted equally.

Another disadvantage is that the hazard analysis is only as effective as the experience and intuition of the analyst.