Applicability of the Hazards and Effects Management Process (HEMP) in Research and Development

The Hazards and Effects Management Process (HEMP) evolved in the chemical process industry as a methodology to ensure consistency in risk mitigation.  In a nutshell, HEMP defines the manner in which the risk of injury to personnel, or damage to assets, environment, or reputation, is managed to As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP).   Although the HEMP concepts are universally valid, the pathways in which one can demonstrate ALARP were developed primarily for commercial production facilities, such as refineries and chemical plants.  This paper addresses the applicability of the HEMP to the type of pilot plants and laboratory-scale processes typically found in industrial research and development facilities.   In addition, the paper presents a case study involving the customization of HEMP to mitigate the risk of personnel exposure to hydrogen sulfide from a pilot plant.