In this blog we shall see how we can apply the logic of LOPA in preventing HSE related incidents. Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) is a method used to evaluate high-consequence selected scenarios to determine whether the risk meets company’s risk tolerance criteria. It is ‘Protection’ not ‘Prevention.’
Prevention is when we consider causes – to reduce them so that incidents do not happen. Protection is when an incident that may take place, and we consider – action to reduce damage resulting from it. LOPA is well established technique for ‘protection.’ What we are interested, in this blog is ‘prevention.’
HSE professionals working in good organizations always have a challenge to identify other risks beside the risks associated with carrying out of activities. For example:
- Risk coming from poor process design
- Risk due to low importance given to safety by top management
- Risk due to low competency of safety manager
- Risk due to poor communications
- Risk due to holding lesser number of safety meetings, etc, etc…
These numerous minor or serious risks – how do these relate it each other? What is impact of any one risk on the overall HSE performance? What is the magnitude of each? What action to take in any specific case? – these are questions which we need to consider and make decisions. As per ISO 45001 this is what we are supposed to consider under ‘Internal Issues’ of the organization as well.
A methodology has been developed to analyse all factors that may affect company overall HSE performance. The methodology takes a clue to logic of LOPA technique. Various factors have been put into 5 layers based on risks they carry. The template for the methodology is shared herewith. You may download and use it. I shall be glad if you share your experience on its use. Thanks.