The PHA is the start of the risk management process, and the quality of the results cascades throughout the remaining safety lifecycle activities. It is a key activity that determines whether hazards are identified or not. This is an activity that must not be compromised – it takes experienced facilitators and a motivated, experienced team to get quality results.

Typically, for process plants the PHA process starts by splitting a plant into nodes. Each node is then examined in detail for associated hazards often using guide words (HAZOP) or what-if analysis.

Some organisations and project managers attribute little value to the contribution that an experienced workshop scribe makes to the PHA process, and prefer to cut costs by not using a scribe, or by assigning the task to someone without adequate experience. This can have a detrimental effect on the way the results of the PHA are recorded, especially during prolonged workshops.

It pays to remember that the PHA report is a living document; one that will be reviewed time and again over the life of the facility. If the PHA workshop is rushed, or the results of the PHA are not recorded adequately, then safety could be compromised.

FSE Global consultants facilitate PHA workshops in a way that ensures the best possible results that are useful in the long term; and deliver a comprehensive report detailing every aspect of the workshop. FSE Global can also provide experienced Scribes to expedite the workshop process and deliver a workshop report with unparalleled clarity.