THE SWIFT TECHNIQUE

Outline
The Structured What-If Technique (SWIFT) is a systematic team-oriented technique
for hazard identification.
SWIFT is one of many techniques developed to identify hazards in chemical process
plants, but like many other risk analysis tools can be adapted to fit many other
situations. It addresses systems and procedures at a high level. Other hazard
identification techniques like HAZOP (hazard and operability study) and FMEA
(failure modes and effects analysis) focus on process flow or hardware at the level of
detailed equipment items.
SWIFT considers deviations from normal operations identified by brainstorming, with
questions beginning What if? or How could?. The brainstorming is
supported by checklists to help avoid overlooking hazards. SWIFT may be used
simply to identify hazards for subsequent quantitative evaluation, or alternatively to
provide a qualitative evaluation of the hazards and to recommend further safeguards
where appropriate.
SWIFT relies on expert input from the team to identify and evaluate hazards. The
SWIFT leaders function is to structure the discussion. The SWIFT recorder keeps an
on-line record of the discussion on a standard log sheet.
There is no single standard approach to SWIFT - one of its strengths is that it is
flexible, and can be modified to suit each individual application.
Suggested Protocol
1. Define the systems/processes being analysed.
2. Consider each in turn.
3. Brainstorm possible hazards. List but do not discuss hazards yet.
4. Structure the hazards into a logical sequence for discussion.
Start with the major ones, and prioritise selection of others.
5. Consider each hazard in turn.
Consider possible causes of the event.
Consider possible consequences if the event occurs.
Consider safeguards that are planned to be in place to prevent the event occurring.
Consider frequency and consequence.
Record discussion on SWIFT log sheets
6. Reconsider whether any hazards have been omitted
Use checklists and where available previous accident experience to check for
completeness.
I.2.3 Definition of terms
Hazards are situations with a potential for causing harm.
Hazardous events are possible future scenarios that may cause harm
Causes are the possible reasons why a hazardous event may occur. In practice, these
may be other hazards in a causal chain.
Frequency is the likelihood of the hazardous event occurring.
Consequences are the possible effects of the hazardous event occurring.
Risk is the combination of frequency and consequence of a hazardous event.

Safeguards (or risk reduction measures) are measures that either prevent or mitigate
hazardous events.