ASP System Safety Engineering and Analysis

Question 1

A Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) is most appropriately conducted:

Accepted Answer

Early in the conceptual or design phase, before detailed designs are finalized

Answer

After a serious incident has occurred to identify root causes

Answer

During final product testing before release to market

Answer

As an annual review of existing hazard control measures

Question 2

In a Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), a 'basic event' symbol (circle) represents:

Accepted Answer

A primary failure that requires no further development and has an assigned probability

Answer

An event that has not been fully developed due to lack of information

Answer

A gate that combines multiple input events

Answer

The top-level undesired event being analyzed

Question 3

Which system safety analysis technique uses a matrix or table to systematically evaluate what happens when each component fails in different modes (e.g., fails open, fails closed, fails to operate)?

Accepted Answer

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

Answer

Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)

Answer

Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP)

Answer

Change Analysis

Question 4

A HAZOP study uses 'guide words' applied to process parameters. Which guide word indicates that a parameter (such as flow) is entirely absent?

Accepted Answer

NO / NONE

Answer

MORE

Answer

LESS

Answer

REVERSE

Question 5

The minimum cut set in a Fault Tree Analysis represents:

Accepted Answer

The smallest combination of basic event failures that is sufficient to cause the top event

Answer

The most cost-effective set of corrective actions to prevent the top event

Answer

The minimum number of safety controls required by regulation

Answer

The baseline failure rate below which no further improvement is possible

Question 6

In system safety, the concept of 'defense in depth' is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Implementing multiple independent layers of protection so that no single failure leads to a catastrophic outcome

Answer

Conducting thorough documentation of all safety procedures as the primary defense against accidents

Answer

Using the most expensive available engineering control as the primary safeguard

Answer

Assigning responsibility for safety to the deepest level of the organizational hierarchy