Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) studies are the foundation for process safety and risk management programs. They help companies identify hazard scenarios for a process that could adversely affect people, property, or the environment. PHA techniques such as What-If Studies, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Major Hazard Analysis (MHA) are used.

A team leader, or facilitator, works with a group of people who know the process to conduct the PHA. The team leader prepares for the study, advises on the selection of team members and methodology and the definition of study scope, and oversees the team's brainstorming of causes and consequences of possible accidents and the formulation of recommendations for appropriate corrective actions.

Hazard scenarios caused by equipment failures, human errors and external events must be considered. Safeguards, facility siting and human factors issues should be identified and their impact on safety identified.

Considering the complexity of today's chemical processes, the challenges involved in facilitating a PHA study, and the potential liabilities from an incident, your best option for completing PHAs may be to seek the assistance of expert specialists.