Layers of Protection Analysis As Auxiliary Technique in Process Safety Incident Investigations

We have all already known what Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) is as a Process Hazard Analysis Technique, and we also have heard and have read it can be used in the investigations of incidents related to process safety. This work shows the experience, results and benefits of applying this technique, the Layers of Protection concept in process safety incident investigations, as a complementary and auxiliary technique to any known investigation technique, 5 why?, root cause analysis, fish bone, among others .

This work shows and demonstrate the usefulness in using Layers of Protection Analysis concept as an auxiliary technique in process safety incident investigations, allowing the investigation team to go further on causes analysis, by identifying and exploring the role played by each Layer of Protection in the incident, looking for “holes” as findings (causes) to use in the investigation process.

As it will be seen, this will improve the causes analysis process, and then, achieve a better quality investigations, with more accurate lessons learned and recommendations, as well as developing a clearer way to communicate what happened, helping anyone who sees the incident report understand and learn about the process safety incident happened, and at the same time what a process safety incident is in a much more suitable and understandable way, which emphasizes the process safety point of view.

Moreover, it will be seen how the use of Layers of Protection Analysis in Process Safety Incidents Investigations will result in a very positive impact to the management on seeing the need and benefits to go further in the implementation of a Risk Based Process Safety Management System and finally, having a very positive feedback from Learning from Experience towards Commit to Process Safety by impacting on the organization’s Process Safety Culture.