Development of a FRAM-based framework to identify hazards in a complex system

Research on risk factor filtering and rating of cold chain logistics from the perspective of root-state risk identification

The natural attributes of perishable and vulnerable cold chain products make the cold chain have more risks than the general supply chain. The attribute characteristics and internal relations of various risks increase the complexity of risk analysis. The purpose of this paper is to study the horizontal and vertical assessment of various risk factors. The multi-dimensional risk measurement model is used to integrate the assessment of multiple risk factors of human, machine, environment, and management, and the cold chain risk management is discussed from the perspective of risk factor classification. The root-state risk identification (RSRI) method was used to identify potential risks. Based on the double standard filtering and multiple criteria, the filtering of irrelevant risks and screening of uncontrollable risks were evaluated, and the triangular fuzzy number method was used to quantitatively evaluate the controllable risk factors. A total of 223 potential risks, 18 important risks, and 6 key risks were identified, followed by inspection and quarantine reports, pesticide residues, improper loading and unloading operations, unqualified centralized environment, unqualified pre-cooling technology of carriages, and unreasonable storage temperature. According to the analysis results, targeted control measures are proposed to better prevent risks and reduce the probability of cold chain accidents. The traditional risk assessment method can only assess the impact of a single risk factor on the system. This assessment method overcomes this limitation and provides a new perspective for cold chain risk management. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study laid the foundation for further risk safety management of cold chain logistics.

Identifying the Weaker Function Links in the Hazardous Chemicals Road Transportation System in China

Safety of the hazardous chemicals road transportation system (HCRTS) is an important, complex, social, and environmental sensitive problem. The complexity, dynamics, and multi-link features of HCRTS have made it necessary to think beyond traditional risk analysis methods. Based on the relevant literature, Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) is a relatively new systemic method for modeling and analyzing complex socio-technical systems. In this study, a methodology that integrates FRAM, fuzzy sets, and risk matrix is presented to quantitatively assess the risks factors representing failure function links in HCRTS. As the strength of function links can be illustrated by the RI (risk index) of risk factors identified in failure function links, 32 risk factors representing 12 failure function links were first identified by accident causes analysis and the framework of FRAM. Fuzzy sets were then utilized to calculate the weight of the likelihood and consequence of the risk factors. Finally, according to the assessment results of the identified risk factors by a two-dimensional risk matrix, the weaker function links in the whole HCRTS chain were identified. HCs road companies, regulatory authorities, relevant practitioners, and other stakeholders should pay more attention to these links.

Analysis and Characterization of Risk Methodologies Applied to Industrial Parks

It is important to evaluate the risks in industrial parks and their processes due to the consequences of major accidents and especially the domino effect. Scientific works present a wide possibility of models to deal with these situations. In this work, based on the information extracted from the scientific literature, six groups of risk methodologies are defined, analyzed, and characterized with methods that cover the standards, preventive, probabilistic, traditional, modern, and dynamic evaluation that are applied or could be used in industrial parks. It also tries to achieve the objective of determining which are more appropriate if the possible situations and causes that can produce an accident are taken into account, identifying and evaluating them with characteristics of simultaneity and immediacy, determining the probability of an accident occurring with sufficient advance in time to avoid it under the use of a working operational procedure. There is no definitive methodology, and it is necessary that they complement each other, but considering the proposed objective, the integrated application of traditional methodologies together with the management of safety barriers, the dynamic evaluation of risks, and the inclusion of machine learning systems could fulfill the proposed objective.

Guidance to improve the effectiveness of process safety management systems in operating facilities

The Process Safety Management (PSM) systems at the operating facilities in the Oil & Gas and in Chemical manufacturing industries have matured over the years and have become, at most facilities, very robust and sophisticated. These programs are administrated by Process Safety (PS) teams at both the corporate business units and plant levels and have been effective in reducing the number and severity of PS events across the industries over the past 25 years or so. Incidents however are occurring at a regular interval and in recent times several noteworthy PS events have occurred in the United States which have brought into question the effectiveness of the PSM programs at play. These facilities have been applying their PSM programs with the expectation that the number and severity of PS events would decrease over time. The expected result has not been realized, especially in context to those facilities that have undergone the recent incidents. Current paper reviews a few publicly available PS performance reports of Oil & Gas and Chemical manufacturing industries. The authors identified a few factors at play that have led to these PS events based on their experience, literature review, and incident investigation reports. Most of the factors are intertwined with multiple PSM elements and it requires a holistic approach to address them. Each of the factors is described and the path forward is proposed to improve the effectiveness of PSM programs.

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Incidents keep happening even though there is substantial decrease in PS incidents.

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Recent PS events in US show necessity for continuous improvement of PSM program.

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Authors use experience/findings to identify factors at play that affect PSM programs.

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Guidance is proposed for improvement of PSM programs.