PDQ International

HAZID (HAZard IDentification) is a technique for early identification of potential hazards and threats to provide input to project development decisions. This leads to a safer and more cost-effective design with less chance of later design changes and cost penalties. Sometimes referred to as ‘Coarse HAZOP’, it uses a similar guideword approach, but it covers a wider scope of activities. Whereas HAZOP is concerned with deviations arising within process equipment; HAZID predominantly addresses the hazards outside the envelope of the process equipment, i.e. as shown in the following table.

Parameter	Guideword
Hydro-carbon Hazards	Layout Over/under temperature Loss of containment Flammable materials Fire protection	Overpressure Different composition Ignition sources Gas detection Safety controls
Equipment/Plant Failure	Integrity Material dissimilarities	Installation Failure Modes
Utility Systems	Capacity	Failure
Operation & Control	Different modes Normal shutdown	Commissioning/start-up Emergency shutdown
Maintenance	Preparation Re-Instatement	Execution Related tasks
Natural Environment	Extreme weather	Seismic
Transport	Vessels Road vehicles	Aircraft Site vehicles
Health Hazards	Exposure Working conditions Radiation	Chemicals Noise Toxics
Damage to Environment	Discharges to air Pollution control	Discharges to sea Waste management
HSE Management	Command & control Emergency response Interfaces Training	Communications Security Manning Supervision

If a HAZID is carried out at an early stage, any formal documentation available will be minimal or will contain only preliminary details. Most of the information will be in the minds of the team. However, the following data should be made available:

■ Process flow diagrams
■ Substance information sheets
■ Feasibility studies
■ Survey reports

■ Plant layouts
■ Heat and mass balances
■ Project implementation plan
■ Project Description

■ Standards and regulations
■ Safety, Design and operation philosophies