Process Hazard and Risk Studies
Understanding Risk. Supporting Better Decisions.
Effective Process Safety begins with understanding where risk exists, how it is managed, and whether existing safeguards provide sufficient protection.
Process Hazard and Risk Studies provide a structured framework for identifying hazards, evaluating process risk, assessing safeguards, and informing operational and engineering decisions. These studies may be required for regulatory compliance, capital projects, facility modifications, periodic revalidation, or targeted risk evaluation.
Smith & Burgess facilitates Process Hazard and Risk Studies using established methodologies and experienced technical leadership. Our facilitators guide multidisciplinary teams through focused discussions, examine assumptions, document risk scenarios, and establish technically sound recommendations aligned with facility requirements.
Process Hazard Analysis (PHA)
Process Hazard Analysis is a systematic evaluation of process hazards, potential consequences, existing safeguards, and opportunities for additional risk reduction.
Smith & Burgess facilitates PHAs in accordance with regulatory, corporate, and facility requirements. Our facilitators lead multidisciplinary teams representing operations, engineering, maintenance, inspection, and Process Safety through structured scenario development, safeguard evaluation, and risk assessment.
Depending on the study scope and process complexity, Smith & Burgess uses HAZOP or What-If methodologies to conduct PHAs. LOPA may be used as a supplemental analysis to determine whether Independent Protection Layers provide sufficient risk reduction for specific scenarios.
PHA Revalidations
A successful PHA revalidation should do more than confirm completion of the five-year revalidation requirement.
PHA revalidations evaluate whether an existing analysis remains accurate and applicable to current facility conditions. Smith & Burgess reviews previous studies alongside operating experience, facility modifications, Management of Change records, incident findings, completed recommendations, organizational changes, and current industry practices.
The revalidation process identifies new or changed hazards, confirms the continued effectiveness of documented safeguards, and updates the analysis where required.
Specialized Hazard and Risk Studies
Every facility presents different technical and operational challenges.
Smith & Burgess conducts specialized hazard and risk studies based on the process, project scope, operating conditions, and evaluation objectives. The selected methodology is matched to the complexity of the system, the type of hazard being assessed, and the level of analysis required.
Study Methodologies
Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP)
HAZOP is a structured methodology used to identify process deviations and evaluate their potential causes and consequences. It is the most widely used methodology for Process Hazard Analysis in complex process facilities.
Using defined nodes, process parameters, and guidewords, Smith & Burgess examines credible deviations, assesses existing safeguards, and identifies scenarios requiring additional evaluation or risk reduction.
Our facilitators maintain technical focus, promote participation across disciplines, and document clear recommendations tied to the hazards and scenarios identified during the study.
Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA)
Layers of Protection Analysis provides a semi-quantitative method for determining whether existing safeguards provide sufficient risk reduction for a defined scenario.
Smith & Burgess facilitates LOPA studies that evaluate initiating event frequency, consequence severity, enabling conditions, and the independence and effectiveness of proposed Independent Protection Layers. The resulting analysis supports risk-informed decision-making and identifies scenarios requiring additional safeguards or further evaluation.
What-If Reviews
Not every facility or modification requires a full HAZOP.
What-If Reviews use structured questions to identify hazards, evaluate potential consequences, and assess existing safeguards. This methodology may be appropriate for smaller projects, less complex processes, Management of Change activities, and targeted hazard evaluations.
Smith & Burgess evaluates the scope, process complexity, available information, and potential risk to determine whether a What-If Review is appropriate.
Our Approach
The success of a Process Hazard or Risk Study is not measured by the number of recommendations it generates. It is measured by whether the study helps the team better understand risk, make informed decisions, and implement meaningful improvements.
Smith & Burgess creates a structured environment where multidisciplinary teams can share operating experience, apply technical knowledge, and challenge assumptions. Our facilitators maintain focus on credible scenarios and guide discussions toward clear, technically sound conclusions.
Before facilitation begins, Smith & Burgess establishes the study scope, confirms the appropriate methodology, reviews available technical information, and identifies the required disciplines. During the study, our facilitators maintain consistency in scenario development, safeguard evaluation, risk ranking, and recommendation documentation.
Smith & Burgess works alongside facility teams to prioritize recommendations based on risk and operational significance, define practical resolution strategies, and provide the technical coordination needed to implement improvements and close resulting recommendations.
Whether planning an initial PHA, preparing for a PHA revalidation, evaluating a scenario through LOPA, or selecting an appropriate methodology for a targeted risk review, Smith & Burgess provides experienced technical facilitation aligned with facility requirements.
Contact Smith & Burgess to discuss your Process Hazard and Risk Study needs.