What type of risk does LOPA primarily address?

Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA) primarily addresses process safety risk. This method focuses on identifying and mitigating hazards associated with industrial processes to prevent accidents or incidents that could result in significant harm to people, the environment, or property. LOPA uses a systematic approach to evaluate the likelihood of hazardous events and the effectiveness of existing and proposed layers of protection, such as safety systems and operational procedures, designed to reduce risks to an acceptable level.

By concentrating on process safety risk, LOPA reinforces the importance of understanding the operational environment in which risks exist and aims to prevent major accidents by ensuring adequate protection layers are in place. This approach is particularly relevant in industries where hazardous materials are handled and where potential catastrophic failures could lead to severe consequences.