Safety in Systems: A Comprehensive Literature Review of PHA, FMEA, HAZOP, and Fault Tree Analysis

This review aims to evaluate the practical application of four pivotal safety engineering methods-Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP), and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA). This review focuses specifically on the real-life application of the methods. Background: Work-related accidents caused 5,190 fatal and 2.6 million non-fatal injuries in the US in 2021. The cost of these accidents was estimated to be around $167 billion. Different safety tools such as PHA, FMEA, HAZOP and FTA have been used successfully in industry settings. A collection of lessons learned about the effectiveness of safety tools will help academicians and industry people implement and summarize these tools. Method: Conducted a comprehensive literature review from Web of Science and UTA Library to understand, assess strengths and weaknesses, explore applications, and identify improvement areas across diverse industries. Results: The findings reveal that while each method has its unique advantages and specific applications, there is a significant overlap in their ability to identify and mitigate risks. However, the review also uncovers potential areas for optimization in their application, particularly in adapting to the specific needs of different industries and integrating technological advancements. Conclusion: This review offers valuable insights into state-of-the-art safety engineering methods. It underscores the importance of continuous improvement and adaptation of these methods to ensure the safety and reliability of industrial systems. Application: This review will be a practical resource for researchers and industry professionals, guiding the selection of suitable safety engineering approaches for specific industrial contexts. Additionally, it pinpoints areas for further refinement or integration with emerging technologies to support safety measures across sectors.