HAZARD IDENTIFICATION STUDIES (HAZID, HAZOP, FMECA etc.)
Hazard identification is the fundamental stage of any safety assessment. It is important that it is performed in a thorough and systematic manner to ensure that all significant hazards are identified. Information obtained during these studies may be documented in a Hazard Register which is a living document continually updated to reflect any additional hazards which are identified in the future (e.g. due to modifications, changes in procedures, etc.).
All Vanguard Solutions personnel are experienced HAZID / HAZOP facilitators.
QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE RISK ASSESSMENT
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In addition to the traditional scope of QRA studies with the main emphasis on loss of life; Vanguard Solutions engineers are at the forefront in the development of methodologies to incorporate other risks such as assets and production losses, environmental damages, company image and reputation; and therefore, allow clients to make better informed decisions.
Vanguard Solutions have performed risk assessments both qualitative and quantitative in almost every aspect of oil and gas operations. From tanks farms, pipelines, pump stations, refineries and terminals to offshore platforms, FPSOs, drilling rigs, helicopters and marine vessels.
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BUILDINGS RISK ASSESSMENT AND STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS
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API RP 752, Management of Hazards Associated with Location of Process Plant Buildings provides guidance for managing the risk from explosions, fires and toxic material releases to on-site personnel located in new and existing buildings intended for occupancy.
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Vanguard Solutions have extensive experience in the application of the standard to provide cost-effective solutions to buildings at risk both by design input to new buildings and structure strengthening to the existing buildings.
HSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND HSE CASE / HSEIA DEVELOPMENT
The HSE MS is a quality management system to minimize the risks to the company’s people, assets, reputation and the environment the company operates within. The HSE MS sets the roadmap to meet the requirements of the HSE Policy, including those of continuous improvement and sustainable development. The HSE Case is a facility or operation-specific demonstration of the HSE Management System in action which shows how the company’s HSE MS objectives are met in practice and how local risk management objectives are being achieved. Vanguard Solutions engineers developed and implemented numerous HSE MS and HSE / Safety Cases for Oil and Gas industry both onshore and offshore.
RISK AND SCENARIO BASED EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING
No company has resources to cover every possible incident scenario. Therefore, a better approach is to develop emergency response plans based on the results of the facility risk assessment. Such an assessment can identify both the worst case credible and the most likely scenarios so the company can plan its resources. Furthermore, the assessment can provide detailed description of credible incident scenarios so the emergency response teams can prepare for facility specific events. Vanguard Solutions can assist with the development of risk based emergency plans from offshore search and rescue to refinery fires and explosions.
SECURITY VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT (SVA)
Vanguard Solutions conducts SVAs in accordance with the latest international practices (e.g. API RP 780, Saudi Arabian, Australian or UK Governments’ guidance, as well as the leading military strategies for asset protection). The objective of a Security Vulnerability Assessment is to identify security hazards, threats and vulnerabilities facing a facility and to evaluate the countermeasures to provide for the protection of the public, workers, national interests, the environment, and the company. A Security Vulnerability Assessment is the process that includes determining the likelihood of an adversary successfully exploiting vulnerability, and the resulting degree of damage or impact. Based on this assessment, judgments can be made on the need for additional countermeasures.
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RELIABILITY, AVAILABILITY AND MAINTAINABILITY (RAM)
The study of the Reliability, Availability and Maintainability (RAM) of oil and gas production and protection systems leads to improved performance through the minimisation of risk and production downtime.
Vanguard Solutions engineers have in-depth knowledge of Reliability, Availability and Maintainability (RAM) theory and practice and have been involved in development of a number of programs for Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) and Risk Based Maintenance. We have developed a number of custom made models to fit clients' facility unique configurations.
SAFETY INTEGRITY LEVEL (SIL) ASSESSMENT AND VERIFICATION
Vanguard Solutions Functional Safety Experts specialise in the application of national and international system safety and machine safety standards and the relevant hazard identification, risk assessment and verification and validation techniques recommended by those standards.
We can provide full management and audit of the functional safety lifecycle, including Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA), Risk Graph Analysis, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to name but a few. All our facilitators are certified LOPA practitioners.
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ALARP STUDIES
In order to attain a design which can be operated safely, it is essential to demonstrate that the levels of risk to personnel operating the facility are As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP). Achieving ALARP levels of risk can only be arrived at by the implementation of a risk based approach to design through all phases of a project. Achieving ALARP in a cost effective manner is Vanguard Solutions’ core expertise.
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