Process hazard analysis

Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) (or, Process Hazard Evaluation) is a set of organized and systematic assessments of the potential hazards associated with an industrial process. A PHA provides information intended to assist managers and employees in making decisions for improving safety and reducing the consequences of unwanted or unplanned releases of hazardous chemicals. A PHA is directed toward analyzing potential causes and consequences of fires, explosions, releases of toxic or flammable chemicals and major spills of hazardous chemicals, and it focuses on equipment, instrumentation, utilities, human actions , and external factors that might impact the process.

The use of PHAs is mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for the identification of risks involved in the design, operation and modification of processes that handle hazardous materials and conditions.