BowTieXP

RPS' HSE & Risk management team can now provide the services of BowTie XP software (under licence) to our clients requiring a risk management process. BowTieXP is a recently released system that applies the latest concepts in risk management to the widely accepted and proven Bow Tie methodology. Now in Multiple Languages!

Many of our clients will be familiar with Bow Tie diagrams. For those who are not familiar with the methodology a BowTieXP diagram demonstrates how well an organisation is managing its risks. A BowTieXP diagram achieves this by graphically representing the possible threats that can lead to the release of a hazard and the possible consequences that may result from that release. The left side of the diagram shows the threats and the threat barriers (controls) in a form similar that of a fault tree. The right hand side shows the consequences and the recovery preparedness barriers (mitigation controls) similar to an event tree. The level of risk associated with each consequence can be assigned according to the organisation’s risk matrix. Using BowTie XP the barriers can be categorised by Basic Risk Factors (BRFs) / General Failure Types (GFTs) as described by James Reason and noted in the Australian Safety Case Guidelines. The barriers can be linked to specific sections or procedures of the organisation’s safety management system, can have responsibilities and inspection frequency assigned, and be ranked and colour coded for effectiveness. The diagram below represents a simple BowTieXP diagram.

The BowTie can also show escalation factors that can weaken the effectiveness of a barrier, and the controls required for each escalation factor. The diagram below is a more complex Bow Tie with several escalation factors for the threats.

BowTie XP can be used for all hazards an organisation may be exposed to, from major accident events, through occupational and environmental risks, to business, IT and security risks.

BowTie XP can be used to:

• Develop a Risk Assessment or Safety Case. The Bow Tie methodology is an effective way of demonstrating that an organisation’s risks are reduced to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) without the over reliance on qualitative risk assessment (QRA) that has been apparent in the past. Barriers can be categorised by GFTs as recommended in the NOPSA Safety Case Guidelines. Several regulators in Europe are already accepting the output of BowTie XP as a demonstration of ALARP and the methodology satisfies many of the requirements of the NOPSA Safety Case Guidelines.
• Conduct HAZID Workshops. Bow Tie diagrams are an effective means of systematically identifying hazards and assessing the control barriers, promoting discussion, graphically demonstrating that barriers are in place to reduce the risk to ALARP and documenting the HAZID results.
• Maintain a Hazard Register. Bow Tie diagrams provide a simple, easily understood and readily updated representation of the hazards involved in an organisation’s activities and the measures taken to control the risk. It also provides a direct link between the Hazard Register and safety critical tasks and therefore provides the backbone for the safety management system.
• Support of JHA/JSA Process. Bow Tie diagrams can assist work teams preparing JHAs by ensuring adequate hazard controls are identified and in place.
• Training. Bow Tie diagrams can be printed in full colour, A1 size posters for use as training aids and a means of communicating HSE issues. As Bow Tie diagrams are easy to understand all members of the workforce can participate in the process.