Chapter 1 - Introduction

Abstract

Hazard & Operability (HAZOP) Study is a technique widely used across all the sectors of the process industries and is assumed to be very effective in identifying process hazards. However, there is evidence from the investigation of major incidents that there is no room for complacency. The effectiveness of the technique is heavily dependent on the skills and experience of the facilitator of the study, the HAZOP leader. The modern HAZOP leader has three important obligations: first, to preserve the integrity of the methodology by resisting the increasing pressure to cut down on study time; second, to promote the application of current best practice – which in the view of many practitioners and organisations has moved ahead of that described in the literature; third, to increase the emphasis of facilitation skills as a core competence for HAZOP leaders.