Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA)

For over 25 years, SDS has provided Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA) for a variety of clients.

 A LOPA begins with an identified accident scenario, then evaluates the scenario’s frequency, independent layers of protection and consequences to provide an order-of-magnitude estimate of risk. SDS works with the LOPA team to consider layers of protection which will prevent and mitigate the consequences identified.

 LOPA considers that a given layer of protection may potentially fail. This drives the need for additional layers of protection until the LOPA team is convinced that the risk of incident is tolerable. 

SDS experts along with the LOPA team will evaluate the risk and compare with a risk tolerance criteria. Without this review, there can be a tendency to continue to add layers of protection with the belief that doing so will make the process more safe. However, adding unnecessary layers can make a process unnecessarily complex and result in unidentified hazard scenarios. SDS’s approach helps focus limited resources on the most critical safeguards.

SDS documents this analysis and provides a detailed report which allows clients to meet both regulatory and corporate requirements. SDS experts will make sure the report is relevant and precise to meet its client’s decision-making needs. 

The LOPA approach is a powerful Process Hazard (PHA) tool which provides an approach which includes both elements of qualitative process hazard analysis and quantitative risk analysis. A LOPA is the industry standard approach for determining Safety Integrity Levels (SIL).