Which of the following is not typically used as a hazard analysis method in process safety?

• A. What-If/Checklist
• B. Bow-Tie analysis
• C. SWOT analysis
• D. Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

Answer: (C)

Hazard analysis in process safety relies on structured methods that specifically uncover potential process hazards, their initiating events, and the safeguards that prevent or mitigate them. What-If/Checklist prompts the team to consider a wide range of deviation scenarios and the adequacy of controls for each, helping to surface hazards that might be overlooked. Bow-Tie analysis visualizes the link between a hazard, its possible consequences, and the prevention and mitigation barriers in place, making it clear where protections may fail and what needs to be strengthened. Failure Modes and Effects Analysis examines how components or steps can fail, what effects those failures would have on the process, and what controls exist, guiding prioritization of improvements to reduce risk.

SWOT analysis, while useful for strategic planning and organizational risk assessment, is not tailored to identifying process hazards, initiating events, or the effectiveness of safety barriers. It looks at strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats at an organizational level, rather than detailing how a specific process could fail and how to prevent or mitigate that failure. That broader focus is why SWOT is not typically used as a hazard analysis method in process safety.