Team Composition and Qualifications

In order to meet our quality objective of identifying all significant safety and operability issues, we need a HAZOP Leader well versed in the HAZOP study technique, and capable of assisting the team to meet this objective. DNV Technica expects this qualification to be gained by a combination of training and experience of studies. It is unlikely that the required skills will be gained without in-depth study of the principles of the technique combined with sitting in on sessions run by several skilled HAZOP Leaders. Our internal qualification scheme includes certification of a new Leader after observation by an existing skilled Leader.

The majority of the team members also need experience in previous studies, but we accept that where this is impractical, training may be given to the group before the study proper starts. This may be done by an appropriately skilled Leader.

The brainstorming technique works best with a minimum core team of four participating members (excluding Leader and Recorder), with a broad range and depth of experience relevant to the study object. It is important that the qualifications of these members include the disciplines necessary to understand the potential hazards of the process under study, and the industry standard methods (including Codes) in use to control these hazards. At least one team member needs a good background knowledge of relevant past accidents on similar facilities, and of the lessons learned from these accidents.

The quality of the team is best judged by the HAZOP Leader, and he must be in a position to require a change of personnel if he is not satisfied. The strongest tell-tale sign of an unbalanced or underqualified team is the proportion of issues raised which require information unknown to the team to draw conclusions either about seriousness, or about suitable recommendations.

It is clear from the above that the procedure for a HAZOP Study must include allowance for the HAZOP Leader to arrange for changes of team members if he is not satisfied with their capabilities. Even if the choice of the team has been made without his input, he should retain this right. He should also be able to postpone a study if the team is not effectively identifying the serious issues. This requires a Leader with enough experience in the industry to recognise some deficiencies himself. These issues cover part of the responsibility of the Leader for the quality assurance of the study under ISO 9000. Naturally exercise of these powers could seriously strain a client/consultant relationship, but the future will show us whether insistence will cause us serious problems.

It goes without saying that a balanced team will be out of balance if a member is absent. Hence our HAZOP procedure states that if a core team member is absent the study will stop until his return or replacement by a suitable substitute. Again the future will show us how much of a problem this gives.