(100a) Technical Risk – It's Not a One-Size-Fits-All Proposition

Critical aspects of plant design and operations (new capital projects or existing facilities) are identifying, assessing, and mitigating technical risk. A proactive approach is best—an approach that strives to protect vulnerable “risk receptors” such as human life, assets, and environment. The nature of these receptors varies among regions as do the types of plant operation and associated parameters. Therefore, the risk solution for a specific set of conditions may not be a quick and easy fit for similar facilities or operations.

The process of identifying and assessing technical risk uses various qualitative and quantitative techniques such as HAZOPs, HAZIDs, bow-tie diagrams, What-if analysis, PHAs, LOPAs, FTAs, ETAs, QRAs, etc. Outcomes of each technique are increased insight to effective mitigation that may currently exist and propose mitigation measures to add, where required. The biggest misconceptions in the industry are that the techniques are interchangeable and that a one-time application of a technique is adequate to manage a facility’s risk for a lifetime. It should be noted that each of these techniques have specific applications and limitations

In fact, brand new facilities and those that have been operating for several years always have potential to harm human life, assets, and environment in and around the facility. Hence, the success of implementing a successful technical risk program rests with the choice of the appropriate technique or combination of techniques based on the project or operational scope. The techniques, when implemented, must have the right group synergy by way of team preparation and participation. Equally important is addressing the outcomes of the techniques in a timely manner, providing closure and the path forward, and bearing in mind that a proactive (rather than reactive) approach serves the prime purposes of protection. This paper provides a refresher on the relevant techniques for technical risk identification, assessment, and mitigation, along with guidance on the validity and applicability of those techniques to various plant situations and specific to the scope.