In LOPA, what is usually included in the consequence analysis?

In Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA), consequence analysis primarily focuses on assessing the potential outcomes of hazardous events that could occur in a given system. This involves identifying the possible consequences that could arise from a scenario where a hazard is realized, enabling organizations to understand the risk magnitude associated with that hazard.

The assessment can be either qualitative or quantitative, meaning it can involve descriptive evaluations of consequences or numerical estimations of their severity and likelihood. This dual approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of both the potential impact of an incident and the frequency of such occurrences, serving as a foundation for making informed risk management decisions.

While a financial impact assessment, community impacts, and legal implications are important considerations in broader risk management strategies, they are not the primary focus of the consequence analysis in LOPA. The core intent of LOPA is to precisely evaluate the consequences of potential outcomes directly related to hazardous events, providing a clear risk profile crucial for developing adequate layers of protection.