Hazard Analysis Flashcards

Which hazard analysis technique uses a top-down, deductive approach to identify combinations of events that lead to an undesired top event?

Answer: Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)

Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is a top-down, deductive technique that uses Boolean logic to trace combinations of failures leading to a defined top-level undesired event.

In a Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment (HARA) for a test environment, the term 'severity' refers to:

Answer: The potential magnitude of harm if the hazardous event occurs

Severity describes the potential magnitude or seriousness of harm (injury, damage, or loss) that could result if a hazardous event actually occurs.

A test conductor identifies that a pressure relief valve may fail to open during a high-pressure test. In FMEA terminology, this failure mode's 'detectability' rating reflects:

Answer: The ability of current controls to detect the failure before it causes harm

Detectability in FMEA rates how effectively existing controls can identify a failure mode before it reaches the end user or causes harm.

Which document formally establishes the hazard controls, residual risks, and responsible parties for a specific test operation?

Answer: Hazard Control Plan (HCP) or Risk Mitigation Plan

A Hazard Control Plan (or Risk Mitigation Plan) formally documents identified hazards, the controls applied, residual risk levels, and who is accountable for each control.

During a live-fire test, an unexpected misfire occurs. According to standard hazard control hierarchy, the FIRST priority action should be to:

Answer: Apply engineering controls to eliminate the hazard at the source

The hierarchy of controls places elimination/engineering controls at the top, meaning the preferred approach is to remove or control the hazard at its source before relying on administrative or PPE controls.

A Risk Priority Number (RPN) in FMEA is calculated as:

Answer: Severity × Occurrence × Detectability

RPN = Severity × Occurrence × Detectability; this composite score helps prioritize which failure modes require the most urgent corrective action.

In the context of hazard analysis, a 'residual risk' is best defined as:

Answer: The risk that remains after all planned controls have been implemented

Residual risk is the risk that persists after all risk controls have been applied; it must be evaluated and formally accepted by the appropriate authority.