STRUCTURED WHAT IF TECHNIQUE (SWIFT)

IEDOSH JBSemester May 2012

Prepared by :Mohd Ismafazil Ismail

What is SWIFT

INTRODUCTION

SWIFT is a the Structured What-If Checklist Technique for Hazards Identification.

It has been developed as an efficient alternative to HAZOP for providing highly effective hazards identification.

INTRODUCTION

SWIFT is a thorough, systematic, multi disciplinary team, team-based study , it is oriented analytical technique.

INTRODUCTION

What is the difference between HAZOP & SWIFT ? HAZOP examines the facility item-by-item, procedure-by-procedure while SWIFT on the other hand examine complete systems or subsystems, it is a system oriented technique.

Requires the input of a team of ‘experts’ to evaluate the consequences of hazards, might result from various potential failures that been identified

INTRODUCTION

While answering questions, team assesses the likelihood of an incident, the potential consequences and the adequacy of safeguards to prevent or mitigate the occurrence.

Efficient technique, avoids lengthy discussion, hazards well understood

INTRODUCTION

Its effectiveness in identifying hazards comes from asking questions in a variety of important areas, covers various type of errors which are likely to result in a hazard.

Checklist applied at conclusion resulting additional thoroughness

INTRODUCTION

Utilizing a set of ‘prompt’ words or phrases that is used by the facilitator within a workshop to stimulate participants to identify risks.

The facilitator and team use standard ‘what-if’ type phrases in combination with the prompts to investigate how a system, plant item, organization or procedure will be affected by deviations from normal operations and behaviour.

USE

SWIFT was originally designed for chemical and petrochemical plant hazard study, the technique is now widely applied to systems, plant items, procedures, organizations generally.

In particular it is used to examine the consequences of changes and the risks thereby altered or created

STUDY METHODOLOGY

Adequate preparation is vital to the success of a SWIFT analysis.

Initial discussion :

Leader should brief on how the SWIFT analysis will be conducted

Study involve analysis of a proposed change in the process or mode of operation, details should be discussed :

STUDY METHODOLOGY

- technical reason, expected impact, need to modify SOP & intended time frame

Ground rules can be established included setting the boundaries of the system, type of issues & defining other objectives

STUDY METHODOLOGY

Selecting a study section:System divided into small subsystems

Examining at a system level makes easier to recognize interactions of various components

STUDY METHODOLOGY

Selecting a study section: Each item is not being individually

treated as in a HAZOP, caution should be exercised so that any error is on the side of being too detailed.

A team should be able to review unit operation size sections with no trouble.

STUDY METHODOLOGY

Conducting the discussion:

oOnce the section is defined & marked on the drawing, the design intent, condition & other appropriate details should be discussed & entered into the study log.

STUDY METHODOLOGY

Conducting the discussion:

oSWIFT review similar in all aspects encountered during HAZOP study

oTeam members should participate & permitted to express their opinions & concerns.

STUDY METHODOLOGY Conducting the discussion:oLeader should summarize team input on the following

regulatory requirement :

- hazards of the activity or procedurehazards info from MSDS or from equipment manual

- previous incidentslist of date & location of any incident with catastrophic potential, discussed by team & cover at least 5 years before

STUDY METHODOLOGY- engineering & administrative control

Interlocks, shutdown system & programs (LOTO, PTW, LOF & etc)

- consequence of failures of engineering & administrative controlLoss of containment, release of vapor

cloud of flammable material above its flashpoint

- sitting / layout issuesEquipment spacing, orientation or air

intake which may impact by the safety of the process

STUDY METHODOLOGY

- qualitative evaluation of safety & health

summarize the potential known hazards (toxicity, fire, explosion & etc)

- other regulatory issueOther regulatory consideration (Environmental, occupational

safety, process safety, etc) as team consider important

STUDY METHODOLOGY – GROUP ACTIVITY

Conducting the discussion by stating the category of questions.o Structure for questioning in the original

SWIFT is provided by the following categories –• Material problems (MP)• External effects or influences (EE/I)• Operating error & other human factors (OE

& HF)• Analytical or sampling errors (A/SE)• Equipment/instrumentation malfunction

(E/IM)

STUDY METHODOLOGY

Conducting the discussion:o Structure for questioning in the

original SWIFT is provided by the following categories –• Process upsets of unspecified origin

(PUUO)• Utility failures (UF)• Integrity failure or loss of containment

(IF/LOC)• Emergency Operation (EO)• Environmental release (ER)

PROCESS

The “What if” steps :

1. Divide the system up into smaller, logical subsystems

2. Identify a list of questions for a subsystem

3. Select a question

PROCESS

The “What if” steps :

4. Identify hazards, consequences, severity, likelihood, and recommendations

5. Repeat Step 2 through 4 until complete

WHAT IF QUESTION

The “What if” questions :

May begin with the words “What if”, “How could”, ”Is it possible” , “what would happen if…”, “could someone or something…”, “has anyone or anything ever….”

WHAT IF QUESTION

The intent is to stimulate the study team into exploring potential scenarios, their causes and consequences and impacts

It is best to record as many questions as possible in a “brainstorming” manner before trying to answer them.

WHAT IF QUESTION

Equipment failures- What if … a valve leaks? How could … a valve leaks ?

Human error- What if … operator fails to restart pump? Is it possible ….operator fails to restart pump ?

ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS

Leader should ask the recorder to read each “what if” question and ask the team to comment on how the system, adjoining systems or the whole unit is likely to respond.

The recorder enter a brief summary of the discussion into log sheet inclusive of consequences, safeguards or mitigation and followed by next questions.

Focus on question which appear to involve the most severe potential consequences then team can make more comprehensive recommendation which covers many issues which will be identified during the discussion of the remaining questions.

ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS

SWIFT CHECKLIST

Using the SWIFT checklist :a. Consult checklist when team

unable to imagine any additional “what-if”

b. Initial brainstormed required for the structured category

c. Before moving on to other category (EE/I), MP checklist should be completed

What-if

RECOMMENDATION

a) Include a brief description of the potential hazard, equipment, instrumentation or procedure currently in place are relied upon to prevent the development of the hazard.

RECOMMENDATION

b) SWIFT team responsible to identify & explain what hazard might be present to management

c) Flexible, clearly state the perceived deficiency and objectives which the team considers important for eliminating or managing the hazard.

COMPLETING THE ANALYSIS

When analysis completed, procedure is repeated for any remaining sections.

Continue until scope has been satisfactorily addressed.

COMPLETING THE ANALYSIS

The report format for a SWIFT analysis should be no different from that of a HAZOP and the recommendations should be prioritized, tracked and completed in the same manner.

PLANNING & PREPARATION

A team comprised of from 4 to 8 members including the leader & technical recorder is recommended

Team should consist of person who have expertise in process technical issue and relevant operating experience

PLANNING & PREPARATION

The reference documents necessary for conducting a SWIFT review are identical to those required for HAZOP.

REPORTING, DOCUMENTATION & FOLLOW UP

SWIFT analysis is recorded on a log sheet

SWIFT study will need same facility for conducting HAZOP such as adequate space, flip charts, markers & refreshments & etc…

SWIFT log sheet

REPORTING, DOCUMENTATION & FOLLOW UP

Major different is SWIFT review will not last long as most HAZOP studies.

SWIFT FOR NON-CONTINUOUS OPERATION

SWIFT analysis is applied to non-continuous & in some instances start-up, shutdown & activity divided into subsystems.

Leader should be aware of several potential differences which may require added intention when changes in non-continuous operation.

SWIFT FOR NON-CONTINUOUS OPERATION

It is important to realize the significant differences are :

(a) Increased errors – the result of additional operator interface

(b) Increased incident magnitude – a result of error & malfunctions.

SWIFT ANALYSIS OF PROCEDURES

Review of procedure similar to non-continuous system

It is preferable to review procedures after the process has been reviewed and the hardware changes have been identified.

SWIFT ANALYSIS OF PROCEDURES

It is helpful to divide the procedure into steps or major groups of steps for review purpose.

When analyzing procedures, all question categories should be addressed, however MP, OE&HF and EO are most likely to produce the most significant discussions.

STRENGTH

it is widely applicable to all forms of physical plant or system, situation or circumstance, organization or activity;

it needs minimal preparation by the team;

it is relatively rapid and the major hazards and risks quickly become apparent within the workshop session;

STRENGTH

the study is ‘systems orientated’ and allows participants to look at the system response to deviations rather than just examining the consequences of component failure;

it can be used to identify opportunities for improvement of processes and systems and generally can be used to identify actions that lead to and enhance their probabilities of success;

LIMITATION

it needs an experienced and capable facilitator to be efficient;

if the workshop team does not have a wide enough experience base or if the prompt system is not comprehensive, some risks or hazards may not be identified;

EXERCISE

Scenario :“You and your family are on a car trip in the middle of the night. It was raining heavily. Suddenly, you received a message in your cell phone. You reply the message while driving at 100 km/h. The car hits a deep hole and the front tire blows. You press the brake. The car skidded and was thrown off in to a deep cleft.”

EXERCISE

• Do a SWIFT analysis, identify at least :

• 5 intent/category – 2 or more question per intent/category.

• Please use given log sheet and determine recommendations

THANK YOU