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Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA)

Unlock the power of LOPA

LOPA is a method used to evaluate high-consequence scenarios determining if the combination of probability of occurrence and severity of consequences meets a company’s risk tolerance.

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Safeguarding through LOPA

Layers of Protection Analysis to safeguard your operations. Don't leave risk to chance. Discover how LOPA can help you evaluate high-consequence scenarios, ensure process safety, and minimize potential hazards. Because failure to focus on LOPA could expose your company to unnecessary risks.
DEKRA's Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA) service answers key questions: "How safe is safe enough?" "How many independent protection layers are needed?" "How much risk reduction should each layer provide?" Our experts use LOPA to assess and mitigate risks, providing clear, documented decisions.

Benefits of Our Layers of Protection Analysis

  • Rational Risk Assessment: Gain precise, risk-based insights into your operations.
  • Decision Documentation: Document every decision and the underlying process, enhancing transparency.
  • Process Hazard Understanding: Understand LOPA safety comprehensively and learn how to prevent them effectively.
  • Controlled Risk: Effectively analyse and control risks in your technical processes and plants.
Industries benefiting from our expertise
Industries benefiting from our expertise

Our approach to controlling your risks

Our LOPA approach is your shield against unforeseen hazards. Typically, high-consequence scenarios surface during qualitative hazard evaluations like Process Hazards Analysis (PHA) or Hazard and Operability studies (HAZOP). LOPA steps in for a meticulous examination of these scenarios. It's a quantitative tool, offering consistency, objectivity, and defensibility.
Imagine LOPA as layers of Swiss cheese slices, each with varying holes representing flaws. A high-consequence scenario materialises only when holes align, allowing multiple failures to propagate. For components like safety instrumented systems, relief valves, and rupture disks, knowing or estimating the probability of failure on demand is crucial.
LOPA visual
We conduct an in-depth analysis of the process under investigation, identifying potential initiating events and assessing their occurrence frequency. Our comprehensive evaluation extends to all process-control features and safeguards, where we estimate the reliability of the protection they offer and ensure the independence of each Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA).
Armed with this critical information, we proceed to semi-quantitatively determine the likelihood of high-consequence scenarios. This assessment combines the frequency of occurrence with the severity of consequences, resulting in a robust risk evaluation.
Typically, we employ a risk matrix to visually represent the possible combinations of likelihood and consequence severity. The resulting risk assessment can then be compared against your facility or corporation's risk tolerance, ready for presentation to site and/or corporate management.
Our commitment to safety doesn't end there. We compile a comprehensive study report that serves as an enduring record of our thorough analysis. This report includes detailed descriptions of potential risks alongside existing safeguards. Furthermore, we provide recommendations for additional safeguards wherever deemed necessary to enhance safety and fortify your operations against unforeseen hazards.
Why choose DEKRA?
LOPA Specialists

We're process security specialists with extensive LOPA implementation experience.

Proven Track Record

Our history is a testament to countless successful Layer of Protection Analyses.

Global Reach

Operating worldwide in multiple languages, we understand local regulations, standards, and cultures.

Unmatched Expertise

Our collective knowledge in process safety engineering and data sets us apart in the market.

Contact
DEKRA Industrial Safety

Fascinatio Boulevard 602

2909 VA Capelle aan den IJssel

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