Are there any professional titles or recognized ratings for HAZOP analysis in China at present?

I’ve never heard of any separate qualification exam or certificate specific to Hazop analysis. This task cannot be carried out by just one person; it is merely a method for identifying risks. Companies can conduct Hazop analyses on their own if they have the necessary capabilities, or they can delegate the task to design firms or hire external experts to assist

Can it be understood then that the so-called experts these days simply have more experience, and there is no clear definition to determine whether a particular organization or individual qualifies as an expert?

For companies, it is entirely possible to conduct HAZOP analysis on their own. But now, safety supervision departments in some areas require design institutes or safety assessment companies to carry out this task.

Experts are generally individuals who have achieved certain accomplishments in their field; for example, they are usually senior engineers with a rank of at least associate senior level or higher, with many years of experience in that field. In addition, they may hold qualifications such as those for registered safety engineers or certified chemical engineers. It is definitely not feasible for several operators to carry out a Hazop analysis, as they lack the capability to identify the risks in the process flow. The above are merely personal opinions

I believe experts should be those recognized by the safety supervision agency; generally, the local safety supervision agency will issue a list

Experts do have broad experience, but they lack professionalism and sometimes give incorrect guidance; those who are truly professional are the design institutes and the specialists who handle HAZOP analyses. Why is it said that experts are not professional? How do they become experts? Most of them are **evaluated** – the Safety Supervision Bureau, along with hazardous materials experts, is in charge of this evaluation process, and there are many irregularities involved. It is difficult for experts to raise targeted questions regarding the interlock feedback automatic control of the process flow. Design institutes and specialized teams are different; they have more abundant and more professional human resources, enabling them to analyze risks from various professional perspectives to determine the best solutions. At the same time, it is necessary to involve employees involved in operations, as well as those responsible for processes, equipment, and safety within the company. It can conduct targeted diagnostic analysis of hazard sources in the manufacturing process and provide recommended solutions, ensuring that the analysis results yield the desired safety outcomes.

Yes, in this regard, the design institute is more professional

HAZOP is merely an analysis method; it is not a sophisticated technique that only certain individuals can master. For new facilities, it is better for design institutes to carry out HAZOP analyses rather than having the refineries do it themselves. For existing facilities, it is sufficient for the workers on site to conduct HAZOP analyses. However, from my experience with clients, they still prefer to have design institutes carry out these analyses (after all, outsiders are often better at such tasks). In China, various associations issue so-called certification certificates, but in reality they hold little value