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Primatech Training Institute

Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) for Process Safety Management (PSM)

"Great course!  Helps a novice become expert using working exercises."
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Vario Corsetti, Praxair Inc.

"Very good course for understanding the purpose of LOPA and how to implement the analysis."
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Brian Alexander, Invista

"This is my second Primatech Training and I have nothing to mention except it’s been great to be able to learn from people with such high levels of knowledge and professionalism."
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Monica Hernandez, Formosa

Course Description

LOPA is a simplified form of risk assessment. It assists in compliance with PSM and RMP regulations and with the ANSI/ISA S84.00.01-2004 / IEC 61511 standards, Functional Safety: Safety Instrumented Systems for the Process Industry Sector.

LOPA is often used as an extension of process hazard analysis (PHA). PHA teams use engineering judgment to decide if additional safeguards are needed to protect against accident scenarios they identify. This subjective approach can lead to disagreements and possibly inappropriate measures to reduce risk. A more rational and objective approach is needed, at least when considering risk remediation measures for high risk scenarios or those that are expensive to implement. Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) was developed for this purpose.

LOPA is also used to comply with the S84 / IEC 61511 standards. S84 / IEC 61511 requires the allocation of safety functions to protection layers, the determination of required Safety Instrumented Functions (SIFs) and the determination of their Safety Integrity Levels (SIL). LOPA is one method used for this purpose. The required SIL of a SIF is derived by taking into account the required risk reduction to be provided by that function. S84 / IEC 61511 notes that this is best accomplished as part of a process hazards and risk analysis (i.e. a PHA) to benefit from possible synergies and the information developed.

LOPA is used to evaluate scenario risk and compare it with risk tolerance criteria to decide if existing safeguards are adequate, and if additional safeguards are needed. Without risk tolerance criteria, there is a tendency to keep adding safeguards in the belief the more the safer. This can be a false assumption. Eventually safeguards will be added that are unnecessary and may add complexity that can result in new unidentified hazard scenarios. LOPA helps focus limited resources on the most critical safeguards.

This course describes each step in performing LOPA and provides experience in its use. A detailed manual is provided for use as a reference after you have completed the course. Also provided are Microsoft Excel and PHAWorks® templates for conducting LOPA studies.

Objective

Learn how to perform a LOPA study to evaluate the effectiveness of process safeguards. Understand how to use LOPA, Risk Graph and Risk Matrix methods to select SILs for SIFs.

Target Audience

Process safety personnel, PHA analysts, control systems engineers, project engineers and others who need to apply or understand LOPA, Risk Graphs or Risk Matrices.

Prerequisite

An understanding of PHA and PSM and a technical background are desirable. If you are learning LOPA to comply with S84 / IEC 61511 attendance at Primatech’s S84 / IEC 61511 course or equivalent is recommended.

Course Contents

  • Process safety concepts

  • Overview of LOPA

  • Use of LOPA

  • Documentation and example application

  • Select scenarios, define consequences, and identify initiating events and enablers

  • Identify existing IPL’s

  • Estimate scenario risk

  • Making risk decisions

  • Worked examples

  • Implementation issues for LOPA

  • Other uses of LOPA

  • Risk graphs

  • Risk matrix methods

Duration / CEUs / ABIH

  • Three days

  • 2.1 CEUs awarded

  • 3.51 CM Points, ABIH Approval #: 10-154

Tuition

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For more information, please contact our Manager of Training Services at 614-841-9800 or via email at training@primatech.com.

Training Discount Offers

Attend both of these courses in the same week for a total cost of $1,600 (savings of $390). Normal price would be $995 per course or $1,990. For more information and additional training discount offers, see Information on Pricing and Registration - USA and Training/Software Promotions.

Upcoming Training Courses (By Month)

June

July

Training Courses (By Title)

Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) for Team Leaders

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Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) Training Courses

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S84 / IEC 61511, Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) and Safety Integrity Level (SIL) Courses

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Software Courses

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Job Safety Analysis / Procedure Writing Courses

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Management of Change (MOC) and Mechanical Integrity (MI) Courses

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Cyber Security Courses

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Human Factors and Human Errors Courses

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Courses Offered for In-House Delivery Only

Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) Training

Risk Management Program (RMP) Training

Process Security Training

Other Technical Training

Courses delivered in-house can be customized to include your specific process examples and drawings. For more information about training courses, contact us at training@primatech.com, by fax at 1-614-841-9805 (any time), or call us at 1-614-841-9800. You can also click on any of the above links for additional information.

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