HAZID Study – Hazard Identification
HAZID Study
A HAZID study gives early clarity on what could go wrong, where the gaps are, and what needs attention before later project stages.
HAZID Overview
The study is run as a structured, workshop-based review with your team at concept, feasibility, FEED, or management of change (MOC) stages. Together, the participants scan the design, operating philosophy, and site context to identify credible hazards before they become costly or difficult to address.
For each hazard, the team captures causes, consequences, existing controls, and gaps in a clear register. The format is straightforward for mixed disciplines to follow, while still meeting regulatory expectations. A dedicated facilitator keeps the discussion focused, factual, and efficient.
By the end of the study, your organisation has a prioritized action list and a shared, documented view of major accident hazards and barriers.
Background and Regulatory Context
HAZID is a recognized technique for identifying major accident hazards in oil, gas, chemical, and related sectors. It is referenced in international guidance such as ISO 17776 for offshore design, which sets out tools and techniques for hazard identification and risk assessment.
IEC 31010:2019 (Risk management — Risk assessment techniques) provides a catalog of methods and references that are often applied alongside HAZID across industries.
Within the EU, Seveso III (Directive 2012/18/EU) and the UK COMAH regime expect operators to identify and manage major hazards systematically. A well-structured HAZID is an accepted way of demonstrating that early step.
Sector guidance for maritime and offshore projects also lists HAZID as an established technique for identifying significant hazards before deeper evaluations. In practice, a HAZID study sets the foundation for later analyses such as HAZOP, LOPA, QRA, and functional safety work.
How a HAZID Study Works – Step by Step
- Preparation
The work starts by aligning the study with your objectives and constraints:
- Clarifying purpose, scope, boundaries, and success criteria.
- Confirming regulatory context and applicable standards.
- Collecting the best available information, including:
- process descriptions and block flow diagrams,
- preliminary PFDs/P&IDs,
- layout and plot plan,
- utility data, site conditions, and external hazard information.
- Agreeing team roles, agenda, and logistics.
- Finalizing the template, risk-ranking approach, and action register format.
This preparation ensures that workshop time is spent on quality discussion, not on searching for missing inputs.
- Workshop Method
During the workshop, your team is guided through a structured, systematic review:
- Prompt lists from recognized guidance are used to trigger thorough hazard identification.
- Sources of energy, materials, people, equipment, procedures, environment, and interfaces are examined in turn.
- Both internal and external hazards are considered, including natural events, neighboring activities, siting, and transport.
- For each hazard, the group records:
- initiating causes,
- potential consequences,
- existing safeguards,
- required actions.
- Language is kept clear and the reasoning traceable for future readers.
- Where beneficial, bow-tie logic is sketched to frame threats, top events, and barriers.
Throughout this step, an experienced facilitator from our team ensures focus, consistency, and balanced participation.
- Risk Evaluation
Once the hazards have been identified, the next step is to evaluate and prioritize them:
- Items are ranked using your risk matrix or a jointly agreed one.
- Barrier quality and defence-in-depth are highlighted, not just individual safeguards.
- Topics requiring deeper work are flagged (e.g., HAZOP, LOPA, SIL, QRA, DSEAR/ATEX, DHA).
- Owners, priorities, and due dates for actions are agreed with your representatives.
The output is a structured view of risk with clear, justified priorities.
- Reporting and Follow-Up
After the workshop, the results are converted into practical, auditable documentation:
- A clean Hazard Register / Hazard Log with clear, non-ambiguous wording.
- An executive summary tailored for leadership and key stakeholders.
- Annotated mark-ups of drawings or documents where this adds clarity.
- A concise briefing on change triggers that should prompt re-review.
- Suggestions for revalidation at major stage gates or when modifications are introduced.
With the support of our specialists, you receive a package that is ready for internal assurance, partner review, and regulator scrutiny.
Deliverables and Value
Deliverables
- HAZID Report with scope, basis, and method.
- Hazard Register: hazard → causes → consequences → existing controls → actions.
- Risk ranking aligned to your criteria.
- Action tracker with owners and target dates.
- Barrier overview / bow-tie snapshots for key hazards.
- Executive briefing pack for stakeholders and auditors.
Value for our Customers
- Early clarity on major accident hazards and control gaps.
- Fewer surprises in design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
- A defensible foundation for HAZOP, LOPA, QRA, and discussions with regulators.
- A shared language around risk across engineering, operations, and HSE.
- Faster, better-informed decisions, supported by a prioritized action list.
Our process safety specialists will provide an initial consultation and guide your team through the HAZID process — from the first questions to a practical, compliant outcome.
