08 Oct Failure events in Fault Tree Analysis are described as risk events. Risk events can be conceived by asking the question “What can go wrong?”.

Risk Assessment and Principles of Toxicology (2215)

Failure events in Fault Tree Analysis are described as risk events. Risk events can be conceived by asking the question “What can go wrong?”.  This top-down approach starts by supposing that an accident takes place. It then considers the possible direct causes that could lead to this accident. Next it looks for the origins of these causes. Finally, it looks for ways to avoid these origins and causes. The resulting diagram resembles a tree, thus the name.

This week’s assignment is to construct a Fault Tree Analysis for a basic eventin your workplace.  For detailed guidance, refer to Week 5 reading, and Chapter 11.5 of  Hazard Analysis Techniques for System Safetyfound in Week 5 Learning Resources.

Instructions:

1.            Using the provided format, follow the steps to complete a Fault Tree Analysis for a basic event at your team’s chosen workplace.Document your diagram in  PowerPoint or any other similar professional product.

a)            Define the system to be analyzed.

b)            Describe the top-level risk event (e.g., system failure).

c)            Describe intermediate events (e.g., subsystems failure) that contribute to the top-level event and connect them with logic gates as appropriate.

d)            Identify critical events and pathways to failure.

2.            Prepare a word document that details your research.  This document must include the research you performed, references used for your assessment and any other pertinent information that supports your assessment.  Include reference citations in APA formatting. 

References

Clifton A. Ericson, I. (2005). Hazard Analysis Techniques for System Safety. Wiley-Interscience.