Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP)

A Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP) is a systematic process used in industries to identify potential hazards and operational issues in a process or system. A team of experts reviews detailed process documents, using specific guide words to imagine how deviations—like too much or too little of a substance or incorrect conditions—could occur. This helps pinpoint risks before operations begin or change, ensuring safety and efficiency. Essentially, HAZOP is a structured way to proactively detect and address problems that might lead to accidents or operational failures.