What is an enabling condition in the context of LOPA?

In the context of Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA), an enabling condition is defined as a necessity for a scenario to proceed to a loss event. This means that certain conditions must be present for an initiating event to lead to a loss, and without these conditions, the event may not occur.

For example, if a hazardous material is not present in sufficient quantities, or if a specific piece of equipment is shut down, the likelihood of an incident may be significantly reduced. Thus, these enabling conditions help to clarify the circumstances required for a potential loss event to unfold. Recognizing and analyzing these conditions is critical in risk assessment and in establishing appropriate protective measures.

Other aspects, such as the direct cause of a loss event or a protection layer that prevents loss, serve different functions in the risk analysis framework, focusing on different elements of risk management, but they do not fulfill the specific role that enabling conditions play.