What typically follows the identification of independent protection layers (IPLs) in LOPA?

The process of Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA) involves a systematic approach to evaluating the safety of a process by identifying Independent Protection Layers (IPLs) that help mitigate risks. After identifying these layers, the next logical step is to evaluate their effectiveness and coverage. This evaluation is critical as it helps to determine whether the existing IPLs can adequately address the identified risks.

Assessing the effectiveness involves analyzing how well each IPL functions in preventing or mitigating potential incidents. Coverage refers to the extent to which the IPLs provide protection against specific hazardous events. This step is essential to ensure that the safety measures in place are sufficient to lower risk to an acceptable level, thereby enabling informed decision-making about whether additional layers or different strategies are needed.

Resources allocation for implementation, risk assessment against industry standards, and the formulation of safety regulations, while important aspects of safety management, typically occur after the evaluation of IPLs. Without first ensuring that IPLs are effective and adequately cover the risks, subsequent steps would be premature, as they rely on the evaluation outcomes to guide resource allocation and regulatory compliance. Hence, evaluating the effectiveness and coverage of IPLs is a foundational step in the risk analysis process.