Process industries that handle highly hazardous chemicals must comply with OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM) standard. Safety First Group helps you meet it, with a team that has thousands of hours of experience in every common type of process hazard analysis and the studies that go with it.
What is a process hazard analysis?
A process hazard analysis (PHA) is a structured, team-based review of a process. It asks what could go wrong, what the consequences would be, and whether the safeguards in place are enough. Under PSM, covered processes need a PHA, and management of change (MOC) can trigger a new one when a change affects the process.
We facilitate the sessions, bring the right method for your process, and document the results so findings turn into tracked recommendations, not a report that sits on a shelf.
HAZOP, What-If, SWIFT, Bow-Tie and LOPA
We have run all types of PHAs, including:
- HAZOP, a systematic review of each part of a process for deviations from design intent
- What-If and Structured What-If (SWIFT), team-driven reviews suited to simpler processes or focused changes
- Bow-Tie, which maps the threats and consequences around a hazardous event and the barriers in between
- LOPA, layer of protection analysis, which tests whether independent safeguards are enough for a scenario
- Safety reviews for smaller changes and specific equipment
The right method depends on the complexity of the process and the hazards involved. We help you choose the one that fits, rather than forcing every review into the same template.
Facility siting and blast studies
Facility Siting Studies (FSS) for PSM-covered processes evaluate occupied buildings against explosion, chemical leak and fire hazards. They answer a simple, critical question: are the people in your control rooms, offices and shelters protected if something goes wrong in the unit next door?
Blast studies use modeling software to estimate how an explosion would affect nearby buildings and equipment, so siting and building decisions rest on numbers rather than assumptions.
Ventilation and PSV studies
Ventilation studies check that enclosed process areas get enough air changes to meet OSHA requirements and keep flammable or toxic vapors from building up.
Process safety valve (PSV) studies review your relief devices against the scenarios they are meant to protect against, so pressure safety is designed in and documented.
Management of change and your PHA
Changes to equipment, chemicals, technology or procedures go through management of change. When an MOC triggers a PHA, we can staff the review quickly so the change is not held up and nothing is skipped.
On-site PSM support on the Gulf Coast
Process safety does not stop at the study. We help with the rest of your program too: written PSM programs covering all 14 elements, process safety training on chemical safety, pressure safety and hazard recognition, and on-site EHS professionals to keep it all running.
Based in Kountze, Texas, we support refineries, petrochemical plants, chemical manufacturers and midstream facilities across the Gulf Coast. Call (281) 803-9775 or request a quote to scope a PHA or study.