Hazard Analysis

(Alias: PHA, Preliminary Hazard Analysis)

Replicants are like any other machine. They're either a benefit or a hazard. If
they're a benefit, it's not my problem.
- Deckard, From the Movie Blade Runner, Director: Ridley Scott
Contents
Hazard Analysis Objectives
Hazard analysis is the process of
Hazard Analysis Context
recognizing hazardsthat may arise from a
system or its environment, documenting their When is a Hazard Analysis Performed?
unwanted consequences and analyzing their Preliminary Hazard Analysis Objectives
Preliminary Hazard Analysis Non-objectives
potential causes. The hazard analysis
Hazard Analysis Inputs
process commences with a Preliminary
Hazard Analysis (PHA) in the early stages of Hazard Analysis Process
Hazard Analysis Techniques
a project and continues throughout the
Hazard Analysis Output
system product's life cycle.
How Hazard Analysis Outputs are Used
International standards define hazard analysis as follows:

The process of describing in detail the hazards and accidents associated with a
system, and defining accident sequences1.

Identify hazards through a systematic hazard analysis process encompassing

detailed analysis of system hardware and software, the environment (in which
the system will exist), and the intended use or application. Consider and use
historical hazard and mishap data, including lessons learned from other systems.
Identification of hazards is a responsibility of all program members. During
hazard identification, consider hazards that could occur over the system life
cycle2.

Hazard Analysis Objectives

The objectives of a hazard analysis are to:

Identify hazards. To determine the

hazards and hazardous events of the
equipment under control and the control
system (in all modes of operation), for all
reasonably foreseeable circumstances
including fault conditions and misuse

Identify causes. To analyse the event

sequences leading to the hazardous
events identified

Determine risks. To analyse

the risksassociated with the hazardous
events.

<="" a="">Hazard Analysis Context

A hazard analysis might be performed in one of the following contexts:

Development. Examining a system in development to identify and assess

potential hazards and eliminate or control them

Operations and management. Examining an existing system to identify and

assess hazards in order to improve the level of safety; formulating safety

management policy; training personnel; increasing motivation for efficiency and

safety of operation

Certification. Examining a planned or existing system to demonstrate its level of

safety and to facilitate acceptance by a customer, a government safety authority
or the public.

<="" a="">When is a Hazard Analysis Performed?

The synthesis of a safe design does not guarantee a safe working system. Hazard
analysis is therefore an iterative process that continues for the life of a system. The
objective of progressive hazard analysis is therefore to identify and mitigate hazards
that can be introduced in the requirements, design, development, testing, installation,
commissioning, operation and maintenance and disposal of a system. Events that
should trigger a hazard analysis are:

Concept definition

Requirements review

Design review

Design change review

Installation and commissioning plan review

Operating and support plan review

Decommissioning plan review.

<="" a="">Preliminary Hazard Analysis Objectives

A Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) is conducted in the early stages of a project. Its
objectives are to:

Identify known hazards

Determine the cause(s) of the hazards

Determine the effects of the hazards

Determine the probability that an accident will be caused by a hazard

Establish initial design and procedural requirements to eliminate or control

hazards.

<="" a="">Preliminary Hazard Analysis Non-objectives

A PHA does NOT:

Describe the details of how the hazards will be avoided or mitigated

Generate detailed safety requirements

Create strategies for implementing safety requirements.

<="" a="">Hazard Analysis Inputs

The following items may be input into the hazard analysis process:

System Description - a description of the system under development and the

context under which it is to be used (e.g. functional model)

Safety Incident Logs - incorporating experience gained from previous operation

of the same or similar systems

Preliminary Hazard List - this is a list of hazards determined in a previous

analysis

Hazard Checklist - this may exist for various industries that have codified the
causes of safety incidents with the same or similar equipment

Customer Requirements - any pre-existing requirements specifications and

concept documents

Regulatory Requirements - constraints imposed by regulatory agencies

People at risk - A list of people who may be put at risk by the system (e.g.
general public, environment and workers).

<="" a="">Hazard Analysis Process

A hazard analysis is performed with the following steps:
1. Define objectives

2. Define scope
3. Define and describe the system in terms of system boundaries and information to
be used in the analysis
4. Identify the hazards
5. Collect data. For example historical data, related standards and code of practice,
scientific tests and experimental results.
6. Perform qualitative ranking of hazards based on their potential effects and their
likelihood
7. Identify causal factors
8. Identify preventive or corrective measures and general design criteria and
controls.

<="" a="">Hazard Analysis Techniques

Hazards may be realized or unrealized. A realized hazard has happened in the past and
can therefore be identified from experience. An unrealized hazard is a potential for a
hazardous situation that has not happened in the past but can be recognized by
analyzing the characteristics of an environment or failure modes of equipment items.
Hazard analysis techniques include:

Function Failure Analysis

Event Tree Analysis

Failure Modes and Effects Analysis

Fault Tree Analysis

Cause-consequence Diagrams

Hazard and Operability Studies.

See also:Hazard Discovery Techniques

<="" a="">Hazard Analysis Output

The outcomes of the hazard analysis are documented in the Hazard Analysis Report
and a Hazard Log.

Typical outputs are:

A summary of the process and techniques used

A consolidated hazard list

Hazard causes

The assumptions made during the analysis activity

Risk assessment.

<="" a="">How Hazard Analysis Outputs are Used

The outputs of a hazard analysis are used to:

Develop systems safety requirements

Prepare design descriptions

Prepare test plans

Prepare operational instructions

Prepare management plans.