Techniques for hazard analysis and their use at CERN

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Industrial Safety Engineering

Background:

• The European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) utilizes large-scale experimental facilities with significant inherent hazards.
• Detectors at CERN involve substantial quantities of flammable materials, gases, and cryogenic fluids, alongside high electrical power consumption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt and apply established analytical techniques for hazard identification and risk quantification at CERN.
• To enhance the safety of personnel and infrastructure within CERN's industrial and experimental installations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized analytical techniques originally developed and proven in the process industries.
• Applied these techniques to identify potential hazards and quantify associated risks in CERN's complex environment.

Main Results:

• Successfully applied risk assessment methodologies to CERN's installations.
• The application of these techniques led to a re-evaluation of safety approaches by experimentalists.

Conclusions:

• Risk assessment techniques from the process industry are effective for ensuring safety at large-scale research facilities like CERN.
• These methods have demonstrably influenced safety philosophies and practices within experimental physics settings.