What is operability risk and how is it managed?

• A. The risk of data loss
• B. The risk of supplier delays
• C. The risk that equipment or processes do not operate within safe operating limits; managed via design margins, procedures, and monitoring
• D. The risk of equipment corrosion

Answer: (C)

Operability risk is the risk that equipment or processes fail to operate within safe operating limits, meaning the system can’t stay in a safe, controlled state during normal operation or upset conditions. It’s managed by ensuring there are design margins so normal operation stays well inside safety boundaries, by having clear procedures for start-up, operation, and shutdown (and for handling deviations), and by reliable monitoring, alarms, and interlocks that continuously verify performance and prompt corrective action. In short, you design for a safe operating envelope, codify how to operate within it, and keep eyes on performance to catch and correct issues before they become unsafe. The other options describe different risks (data loss, supplier delays, corrosion) that aren’t about keeping the process within safe operating limits.