Risk Analysis Screening Tool (RAST) | AIChE

Risk Analysis Screening Tool (RAST)

The Risk Analysis Screening Tool (RAST) is designed for those performing a Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis (HIRA) on incident scenarios, an essential assessment method used by Process Hazards Analysis (PHA) Teams. RAST screens for the proposed incident scenarios that may exhibit unacceptable process safety risks. It uses quality-checked, simple, and quickly-solved linear relationships that closely correlate to complex algorithms of many commercially available analysis tools. The outcome of a RAST screening analysis will help PHA Teams focus on the scenarios that need mitigative engineering or administrative controls to protect people, the environment, assets, and the business.

This course will enable users to become familiar with the RAST tool—how it works, what data are needed, what simplifying assumptions have been made, and what the results can look like. It covers the basic steps in a HIRA and includes the ability to address the reliability of the controls through the Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA). Throughout the course, example problems are provided so that users understand the limitations of this tool, when to engage a Subject Matter Expert, and when to use more advanced methods.

The RAST and the basic RAST Manual are available at no charge from the CCPS (RAST Home Page). All attendees will be expected to download and install the latest versions of RAST (Version 4.1) and the RAST Manual (Version 4.2) prior to the course.  

The Risk Analysis Screening Tool (RAST) is a collection of MS Excel® based Process Safety Screening Tools to assist in performing a Hazard Evaluation and Risk Analysis that draw upon the same basic input information. RAST uses simplified equations that have been quality checked and closely correlate to complex algorithms of many other commercially available analysis tools. These tools include:

  • Hazards and Consequence Summary
  • Reaction Hazards Evaluation
  • Risk Scenario Creation
  • Risk Analysis using Risk Matrix (as input by user)
  • Relief Device Effluent Screening
  • Dow Fire and Explosion Index (FEI)
  • Dow Chemical Exposure Index (CEI)
  • Risk Analysis using Layers of Protection Analysis (optional)

You may also be interested in the Chemical Hazards Engineering Fundamentals (CHEF) course. 

This course will enable users to become familiar with the RAST tool so that evaluation teams, with the help of facilitators and process safety personnel, can perform screening level Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis (HIRA). An example problem is provided so that users understand the limitations of this tool and when to utilize more advanced methods or to engage a Subject Matter Expert.

Staff involved in PHA.

Day 1

1. Introduction

  • What is RAST
  • Work and information flow within RAST

2. Getting Started

  • Opening the tool
  • Example case study
  • Data input
  • Reports

3. Chemical Data

  • Data used
  • Adding a new chemical
  • Create a chemical mixture

4. Reactivity Data and Evaluation

  • Reactivity screening
  • Data input
  • Reactivity evaluation
  • Example input and evaluation
  • Process upsets

5. Additional Input and Reports

  • List of reports
  • Additional inputs needed

Day 2

6. Scenario Development

  • Definition
  • Loss of containment (LOC) events
  • Scenario creation in RAST
  • Initiating events
  • Incident types and outcomes
  • Screening criteria
  • Scenario library
  • User defined scenarios

7. Risk Analysis

  • Definitions (LOPA & Risk)
  • Consequence modeling
  • Likelihood/Frequency
  • Risk Matrix
  • Optional Selecting scenarios for LOPA

8. Case Study

  • Class exercise

9. Summary

  • Review

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Train-A-Team (10 or more)
  • Course ID:
    CH905
  • Source:
    CCPS - Center for Chemical Process Safety
  • Language:
    English
  • Skill Level:
    Basic
  • Duration:
    2 days
  • CEUs:
    1.60
  • PDHs:
    16.00
  • Accrediting Agencies:
    Florida
    New Jersey
    New York
    RCEP