Hazard Identification & Risk Assessments (HIRA)

Hazard Identification is the process of recognising that a Hazard exists and defining its characteristics.

Risk Assessment is a process of evaluating the Risk(s) arising from a Hazard(s), taking into account the adequacy of any existing controls and deciding whether or not the risk(s) is acceptable in an organisation.

As per Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS 18001-2007), an organization shall document and keep the results of identification of hazards, risk assessments and determined controls up-to-date. The organization shall ensure that the occupational health & safety risks and determine controls which are taken into account when establishing, implementing and maintaining its OH&S management system.

For determination of Severity and Risk Levels, SHIB uses the guidelines provided in the Indian Standard IS 18001-2007: Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems - Requirements with Guidelines for Use.

SHIB has the necessary expertise to carry out Hazard Identification & Risk Assessments (HIRA) studies in any work place having high potential hazards and risks involved.

For a List of selected HIRA Studies carried out by Mr. R. R. Nair and his team,

Hazard Operability Studies (HAZOP)

HAZOP is a systematic and highly structured study with a critical approach to examine the process of engineering intentions of a facility to assess the hazard potential of mal-operation or malfunctioning of individual items of equipment and the consequential effects on the facility as a whole. HAZOP study is a procedure used to review the design and operations of a hazardous process facility. It is used to identify all possible cases of deviation from normal safe operation that could lead to any hazard/environmental risk/operability problems, etc.

HAZOP is carried out by a suitably experienced multi-disciplinary team (HAZOP team). The HAZOP technique is qualitative, and aims to stimulate the imagination of participants to identify potential hazards and operability problems; structure and completeness are given by using guideword prompts. It is the most popular method of hazard analysis used by the petroleum and chemical industries.

SHIB has expertise to carry out HAZOP studies in any facility.

Hazard Analysis (HAZAN)

Hazard Analysis is an examination of latent causes of accidents, first (qualitatively) what they are, and second (quantitatively) what is the probability that they will eventuate, i.e. causes of accidents.

Hazard Analysis are needed both on new systems which are being developed (pre-design analysis) and subsequent to design, usually when the system or plant is in operation. The pre-design and post-design analysis are both needed. Doing one does not preclude the need for other.

There are a number of methods by which hazards can be analysed. The most important method of Hazard Analysis (HAZAN) are (i) Failure Mode & Effect Analysis, (ii) Fault Tree Analysis and (iii) Event Tree Analysis.

SHIB has expertise to carry out HAZAN studies in any plant or system.

Hazardous Area Classifications

A “hazardous area”, is defined as, an area in which the atmosphere contains, or may contain in sufficient quantities, flammable or explosive gases, dusts or vapours. In such an atmosphere, a fire or explosion is possible when three basic conditions mentioned above are met.

In order to protect installations from a potential explosion, a method of analysing and classifying a potentially hazardous area is required. The purpose of this is, to ensure the correct selection and installation of equipment to ultimately prevent an explosion and to ensure safety of it.

SHIB has expertise to carry out Hazardous Area Classification in any work place having high levels of explosive atmospheres.

For a List of selected Hazardous Area Classification carried out by Mr. R. R. Nair and his team,

On-Site Emergency Plans

On-Site Emergency Plan is a mandatory document under various statutes of India, which are listed below:

• (i) The Factories Act, 1948 and its Amendment, 1987.
• (ii) The State Factories Rules framed under the Factories Act.
• (iii) Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards Rules framed by State Governments.
• (iv) The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules 1989 and its amendments framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

An emergency plan is a document, which acquaints the occupants of a factory with procedures to be implemented, during an emergency. It details standard operational guidelines, to plants emergency controllers and their personnel, who may be required to fulfil a key functional role, during the various stages of an emergency.

The On-Site Emergency Plan (OEP) not only defines the responsibilities of various persons during an emergency but also informs about prompt rescue operations, evacuations, rehabilitation, co-ordination and communication.

SHIB has expertise to prepare On-Site Emergency Plan for any occupancy.

For a List of selected On-Site Emergency Plan prepared by Mr. R. R. Nair and his team,