Industrial safety requirements and modern risk assessment methods

In 2018, Russia published a state policy on industrial safety (Presidential Decree of the Russian Federation No. 198 of May 6, 2018). The new strategy initiated the updating of outdated standards and the implementation of a risk-oriented approach in industrial safety. As a result, an inventory of industrial safety requirements was performed, which led to certain innovations.

Implementation of a risk-oriented approach

As is known, Federal Law No. 116 declares requirements for implementing a risk-oriented approach in industrial safety. For example, this law requires performing risk analysis, hazard analysis, and analysis of the adequacy of measures taken to reduce risks when developing an industrial safety declaration. As often happens, laws do not provide details for fulfilling requirements, which also applies to the industrial safety law.

Risk analysis methodologies

More detailed information with explanations of risk and hazard analysis requirements can be found in industry standards and safety requirements, such as Rostekhnadzor Order No. 533 or No. 500, as well as in the "Methodological foundations for hazard analysis and accident risk assessment at hazardous production facilities" of November 3, 2022.

These and other regulatory documents refer to Federal Law and requirements for technological process hazard analysis. In addition, the standards contain a fairly complete description of hazard analysis methodologies that correspond to Risk Management standards such as GOST R 51898, 51901.1, GOST R 12.3.047, and others.

Advantages of applying analysis methods

The proposed methodologies are generally accepted and have already proven themselves well among engineers and experts. The list of methodologies includes FMEA, FTA, ETA, HAZID, and HAZOP methods.

These methods have their specific applications depending on the goals and objectives of risk analysis. For example, Order No. 533 refers to the hazard and operability analysis method (hereinafter - HazOp) or HAZOP in international terminology, which is typically applied at the design completion stages.

The application of risk analysis and assessment methods for technical objects allows not only to justify industrial safety expertise but also to minimize design errors, improve safety, apply reducing insurance coefficients, and others.