Haz Study 1 - you shall go to the ball!
A new article by Britest's Rob Peeling reflects in light hearted fashion upon the early prevention opportunities presented by the sometimes undervalued "Cinderella of Safety", the Hazard Study 1.
Featuring in the August edition of The Chemical Engineer, the IChemE's professional members' magazine, the article reflects that the way in which the first stage of the classical ICI Process SHE Guide 13 was structured gained it a somewhat unjustified reputation as a box-ticking "necessary chore" rather than a value-adding activity with the potential to enhance process safety.
With process understanding at the heart of the stated purpose of Hazard Study 1 however (see below) and the inherently early-stage nature of Haz 1 in the development cycle, Rob asserts the potential power and value of Hazard Study One as a process safety risk assessment tool. He goes on to back up his argument with several examples drawn from many years experience as a qualified hazard study lead.
Members of the IChemE can read the full article here (and non-members can see a generous preview). If anyone would like to discuss their needs around either early-stage or comprehensive process Hazard Study, contact Rob Peeling, who would be very happy to speak to you.
“The purpose of Hazard Study One is to ensure that the understanding of the project, the process, and the materials involved is sufficient to enable safety, health and environmental issues to be properly assessed,” and “to agree the extent and timing of further hazard studies and the need for any additional specific studies or assessments.” (ICI Process SHE Guide No. 13, 1997)