HAZOP is a structured, team-based risk assessment method designed to identify deviations from normal operations that could lead to safety hazards, environmental incidents, or equipment failures.
Proper HAZOP execution leads to a deeper understanding of your facility’s vulnerabilities and an evidence-based path to reduce risk.
Different engineering reviews can address different process and workplace risks. The appropriate approach depends on the process, hazards, project stage, and reason for the assessment.
| Need | Best-Fit Service |
| Process deviation analysis | HAZOP |
| Broad process hazard review | PHA |
| Equipment/process safety risk review | Risk assessment |
| Regulatory trigger under PSR/PHSR | |
| Flammable vapour/dust/electrical classification |
This helps determine whether the project calls for a HAZOP study, broader process hazard analysis, industrial risk assessment, or another engineering review.
Provides a semi-quantitative assessment of risk by analyzing how each protection layer reduces the likelihood of hazardous events.
A structured risk review may be appropriate when a new process is being introduced, an existing operation is changing, or potential hazards need to be assessed before a project moves forward.
Clients may require an assessment for:
The appropriate assessment depends on the process, hazards, project stage, and reason for the review.
Identifying ignition risks, storage hazards, and system failures in flammable or toxic environments.
Protecting hygienic processes, thermal systems, and clean-in-place (CIP) systems.
Managing containment and equipment interactions in tightly controlled environments.
Water and wastewater treatment plants, where chlorine, UV, or biological processes pose risks.
Evaluating chemical mixing, flammable atmospheres, and ventilation effectiveness.
We adapt our approach for both brownfield upgrades and greenfield design phases.
A HAZOP, PHA, or risk assessment is specific to the process, equipment, materials, and operating conditions involved.
Depending on the project, we may review:
The goal is to understand potential hazards and deviations, evaluate the safeguards already in place, and identify where additional risk reduction measures may be appropriate.
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The deliverables depend on the type of assessment, process complexity, available documentation, and project scope.
A HAZOP, PHA, or risk assessment may include:
HITE Engineering ensures your facility complies with key safety and process standards:
We also assist clients during insurance audits, regulatory inspections, and pre-start health and safety reviews (PSHSRs).
Facilities often struggle with:
In one project, a water treatment facility had added a new chemical dosing system, but the original risk review had not accounted for the potential interaction with chlorine systems. Our HAZOP identified the failure mode, ranked the risk, and provided engineered recommendations that were later implemented before commissioning.
The time required depends on the size and complexity of the process, number of nodes being reviewed, available documentation, workshop participants, and scope of the assessment.
HITE can provide a better estimate once the project information has been reviewed.
Useful information may include:
The specific information required depends on the process and scope of the assessment.
No. A HAZOP is a structured risk assessment method used to identify process deviations, causes, consequences, safeguards, and recommendations.
A PSR/PHSR is a separate engineering review that may apply to certain equipment, processes, or workplace changes in Ontario. Depending on the project, one or both types of review may need to be considered.
An existing assessment may need to be revisited when equipment, materials, operating conditions, controls, or processes change.
A review may also be appropriate during process expansions, management of change, or when existing recommendations and safeguards need to be reassessed.
Yes. A HAZOP may identify hazards that require additional engineering review, such as hazardous location classification, PSR/PHSR requirements, combustible dust concerns, machine guarding, or ignition and explosion risks.
HITE can help determine which additional assessments may be appropriate based on the findings.
