“What–If” Hazard Analysis is a structured brainstorming method of determining what things can go wrong and judging the likelihood and severity of those situations occurring. The answers to these questions form the basis for making judgments regarding the acceptability of those risks and determining a recommended course of action for those risks judged to be unacceptable. An experienced review team can effectively and productively discern major issues concerning a process or system. Lead by an energetic and focused facilitator, each member of the review team participates in assessing what can go wrong based on their past experiences and knowledge of similar situations. Assembling an experienced, knowledgeable team is probably the single most important element in conducting a successful “WhatIf” analysis. Individuals experienced in the design, operation, and servicing of similar equipment or facilities are essential. Their knowledge of design standards, regulatory codes, past and potential operational errors as well as maintenance difficulties brings a practical reality to the review. Team members may include the P.I., Laboratory Manager, RM&S representative(s), and representatives with specific skills, as needed (maintenance rep., compressed gas rep., manufacturer rep. etc.). The next most important step is gathering the needed information. The operation or process must be understood by the review team. One important way to gather information on an existing process or piece of equipment is for each review team member to visit and walk through the operation site. Additionally, piping and instrument diagrams, design documents, operational procedures, and maintenance procedures are essential information for the review team. If these documents are not available, the first recommendation for the review team becomes clear. Develop the supporting documentation! Effective reviews cannot be conducted without uptodate reliable documentation. An experienced team can provide an overview analysis, but nuances to specific issues such as interlocks, pressure relief valves, or code requirements are not likely to be found without documentation. Using the above information, the team reviews the operation or process utilizing the form in Figure 1. At each step in the procedure or process, WhatIf questions are asked and answers generated. “WhatIf” questions can be formulated around human errors, process upsets, and equipment failures. These errors and failures can be considered during normal production operations, during construction, during maintenance activities, as well as during debugging situations. The questions could address any of the following situations: · · · · · · · · · Failure to follow procedures or procedures followed incorrectly Procedures incorrect or latest procedures not used Operator inattentive or operator not trained Procedures modified due to upset Process conditions upsets Equipment failure Instrumentation miscalibrated Debugging errors Utility failures such as power, steam, gas
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External influences such as weather, vandalism, fire Combination of events such as multiple equipment failures
To minimize the chances that potential problems are not overlooked, moving to recommendations is held until all of the potential hazards are identified. After being assured that the review team has exhausted the most credible “WhatIf” scenarios, the facilitator then has the team answer the question, What would be the result of that situation occurring? The review team then makes judgments regarding the likelihood (e.g., unlikely, possible, quite possible) and severity (e.g., minor, serious, very serious) of the “WhatIf” answers. If the risk indicated by those judgments is unacceptable then a recommendation is made by the team for further action. The completed analysis is then summarized and prioritized, and responsibilities are assigned.
“WhatIf” Analysis Form Dept.: Description of Operation: By: Date: