A powerful tool for identifying occupational, facility, and external hazarMost government licensing authorities require operating companies to carry out Health & Safety and Environmental (HSE) studies during the design of facilities, as well as prior to construction and during operation.

Hazard studies carried out late in the design phase, such as Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP), often identify safety and environmental issues that can cause project delays or costly design changes. Therefore, many clients require hazard study during early design so that hazards can be avoided or reduced.

What is HAZID?
HAZID study is a tool for hazard identification, used early in a project as soon as process flow diagrams, draft heat and mass balances, and plot layouts are available. Existing site infrastructure, weather, and geotechnical data are also required, these being a source of external hazards. The method is a design-enabling tool, acting to help organize the HSE deliverables in a project. The structured brainstorming technique typically involves designer and client personnel engineering disciplines, project management, commissioning and operations. Major findings and hazard ratings help to deliver HSE compliance, and form part of the project Risk Register required by many licensing authorities.

What are the key benefits?

A well-organized HAZID study activity will deliver a good identification of hazards and safeguards at an early stage in the design of a facility. Team output helps to ensure that:

• HSE hazards are revealed at an early stage in the project, before significant costs have been incurred;
• Hazards are recorded so that they can be avoided, mitigated or highlighted during design;
• Action responses are auditable by Management and Legislative Inspectors;
• Design or Construction delays and budget over-runs are avoided;
• Fewer hazards remain un-revealed during the commissioning & operation of plant.