What are the roles and responsibilities of a HAZOP team facilitator and how do you choose one?

It is "best practice" for the HAZOP Facilitator ( previously known as the HAZOP Chair) to be an independent external consultant. Usually a Safety / HSE Professional, who has a detailed knowledge of the industry sector and applicable Regulations, Standards, Codes and Best Practices - HAZOP is a tool that is used in many industries including Aviation, Nuclear, Chemicals, Maritime and Defence as well as Oil & Gas. Ideally they should have had formal HAZOP facilitation training from IChemE or similar. A HAZOP "Scribe" should also be provided to support with the note taking and report writing.

Guidance: The primary role is to guide the HAZOP team through the structured HAZOP methodology. This includes ensuring the use of predefined guide words, parameters, and nodes effectively. Moderation: The facilitator acts as a moderator, steering the brainstorming, discussions, and consensus-building of the team. Coordination: They are responsible for coordinating the HAZOP study, including managing time, resources, and ensuring all team members contribute. Communication: They act as a central communicator, relaying the progress and results to relevant stakeholders. Focus: The facilitator keeps the team focused on identifying hazards and prevents them from getting sidetracked into problem-solving or engineering solutions.

The facilitator needs to stay focused on identifying hazards and make sure the team does not get sidetracked with solving problems or engineering solutions.

A good example is a HAZOP facilitator that covers the transitions to and from normal operations. Start from maintenance or shutdown and clearing mg g for maintenance.

Before the Study: Define the scope, objectives, and criteria of the HAZOP. Select and invite HAZOP members. Collect and review documents. Arrange logistics. During the Study: Introduce the HAZOP methodology and rules. Apply guide words and parameters to each node. Facilitate the generation and evaluation of deviations, causes, consequences, safeguards, and recommendations. Ensure participation and contributions from all team members. Resolve conflicts and manage time effectively. Record and verify HAZOP results, summarizing findings. After the Study: Compile and edit the HAZOP report. Present and discuss the report with stakeholders. Follow up on implementation and verification of recommendations. Ensure documentation of the analysis.

I have seen both hired and in house facilitated HAZOP’s the quality comes from the engineer and operations support of the HAZOP process and mutual respect.

Important not to use an in house Hazop chairperson from the engineering contractor progressing the design.. They are utterly conflicted by the project manager sitting next to them whispering "no change" at every opportunity. Topics completely ignored or deemed "not credible" and I even went to a London one where the P&IDs were not ready so the in house chair conducted the Hazop with the LNG process drawn out on flip charts. A complete sham.

To facilitate an effective HAZOP analysis, the facilitator needs experience with the methodology, a thorough understanding of process safety principles, familiarity with the system under study and its regulations. Essential skills include leadership, communication, problem-solving, flexibility, neutrality, and objectivity. Formal training (IChemE or similar) is ideal. While possible internally, an external consultant usually ensures greater objectivity and knowledge of best practices. Avoid conflicts of interest when selecting the facilitator.

Choosing the right experience professional person that understands process design, Operations and maintenance issue and most important to have a third party chairperson that is a good communicator on PSM. To avoid deviating into design rather focusing on resolving issues related to technical safety.

The HAZOP team facilitator guides the Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP) process, ensuring effective communication and analysis of potential hazards and operability issues. They must have expertise in the specific field, strong leadership skills, and experience in risk assessment methodologies. For renewable energy projects, familiarity with grid code compliance and operational risks is essential. Manufacturers require facilitators with expertise in production processes and safety regulations. Hydrogen production and battery storage systems demand facilitators well-versed in chemical processes and energy storage technologies.Selecting a facilitator involves considering their technical proficiency, communication abilities,and track record.

A best practice would be to review the HAZOP recommendations with Ops and Engineering leadership before issuing the report. This provides adequate understanding of the action items.

In HAZOP studies, facilitators must examine transitions (startup, shutdown, cleaning, maintenance) as rigorously as normal operations, since hazards often arise during these changes. The success of HAZOP relies on competent engineers and operations personnel, a supportive process, and a culture of mutual respect. A collaborative environment and management support are crucial for uncovering hidden hazards and effective solutions. It’s people, process, and culture working together.