Risk analysis

Risk analysis is the proactive version of root-cause failure analysis.

Risk analysis vs. failure analysis

Common practice of root-cause analysis, such as FTA, ETA, FMEA, and HAZOP are not adequate for risk analysis ( explanation).

The use risk analysis

Risk analysis is useful for designing the alarms such that the alarms represent the situation, while avoiding improper alarms.

Method

The analysis complexity can be reduced dramatically by segmentation. Instead of looking at the whole sequence from trigger to incidence, we look at segments, as demonstrated here ...

Output

The output of risk analysis is risk assessment and hazard assessment

Example

Consider a boiler that should operate in a range of temperatures. Then the risk assessment should include:

• Assessment of the risks of overheating and sub-heating, and requirements for how to mitigate these risks
• Assessment of the hazards that might result in these risks, such as thermostat being stuck
• Assessment of secondary hazards, such as operator's failure to perceive the overheating
• Assessment of the sources for the secondary risks, such as operator's fatigue or component mal-function.

Related topic

Updated on 31 Mar 2017.