Handbook for Process Safety in Laboratories and Pilot Plants

11 Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis (HIRA) in the LAPP

Integrating the Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis (HIRA) approach into the routine LAPP work planning and project review activities is one of the best ways to consistently understand and reduce a LAPP’s risks. The hazard identification and risk analysis procedure should become a common expectation of everyone working in or managing a laboratory. A hazard assessment program will include these steps [54]:

1. Identify and evaluate hazards
2. Determine roles and responsibilities
3. Choose a technique
4. Control change
5. Assess implementation

11.1 RBPS Element 7: Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis

The HIRA method is used to help identify the specific LAPP hazards and analyze their associated risks. A HIRA ensures that risks to the LAPP workers and property are consistently controlled. The HIRA encompasses identifying the hazards and evaluating the risk of experiments in LAPPs throughout their experimental life cycle. Since the HIRA approach will be used several times during an R&D project, it should be integrated as an iterative step in the R&D project protocols.

Understanding and categorizing hazard severity helps to determine which experiment or equipment represent a concern such that a HIRA should be done. Comparing chemical hazard properties (such as NFPA ratings), operating conditions (such as pressure, temperature, reactivity), and types of equipment (such as reactors, drying ovens, etc.) to predefined “levels ...