What key aspect does LOPA address in terms of risk management?

Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA) is a risk management technique that focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of multiple layers of safety mechanisms to mitigate risks in industrial processes. The key aspect that LOPA addresses is how these various safety layers interact and function together to provide a cumulative level of protection against potential hazards.

LOPA emphasizes that individual safety measures are essential, but it is their integration and interaction that substantially determine the overall safety of a system. By analyzing how each layer contributes to risk reduction and how they support one another in preventing accidents, LOPA provides a more holistic view of safety. This integrated approach is vital in identifying gaps in protection and ensuring that the safety systems in place are robust and effective in managing risk.

This focus on the collective strength of safety measures is what distinguishes LOPA from assessments that might consider each safety measure in isolation. Thus, the integrated nature of protection layers is critical to effective risk management in the context of LOPA.