Process Safety Review — HAZOP & What-If Analysis

A Process Safety Review is a structured examination of a process design or operation to identify potential hazards, evaluate their consequences, and recommend risk reduction measures. The two most widely used methodologies are HAZOP — Hazard and Operability Study — and What-If Analysis.

HAZOP is a systematic, team-based technique that examines process deviations using guide words — applied to process parameters such as flow, pressure, temperature, and composition — to identify how deviations from design intent could lead to hazardous situations. What-If Analysis is a less structured but equally effective technique used for simpler processes or as a complement to HAZOP.

Both methodologies are applicable across process design, commissioning, operational review, and management of change scenarios — in chemicals, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, and any process industry where the integrity of containment is critical.