Comparison of the process hazard analysis methods in process safety management system

in this paper the process safety management system was briefly introduced,which the process hazard analysis was the core elements of the process safety management system.Five methods were compared,including What If/Checklist,Failure Modes and Effect Analysis,Fault Tree Analysis,Hazard Operability Study and Layer of Protection Analysis,and their advantages,disadvantages,application and timing were obtained.What If/Checklist analysis was easier to use for the initial process assessment;Failure Modes and Effect Analysis and Fault Tree Analysis was useful for high-risk process steps,components or unit operations;Hazard and Operability Study analysis could be very systematic and comprehensive for the process and it was the most effective mothod of process hazard analysis.Layer of Protection Analysis method was a semi-quantitative risk assessment method which analyzed the system failure probability of each protective layer to assess the risk of potential accidents,and compared with standards acceptable to the accident in order to achieve performance on the protection system.Through comparison of the process hazard analysis methods in process safety management system,the chemical companies can adapt the appropriate process hazard analysis methods.