Risk Matrix Table:

Neglible

Slight

Moderate

Serious

Very serious

Health and safety: -

No absence from work

Minor first aid required

Injury leading to lost time

Possible permanent disability,

possible fatality

Environment: -

No significant impact. Easily

controlled on worksite

Short term effect on site,

controlled on worksite

Local pollution, may have

lasting effect on worksite

Major uncontrolled release

Pollution extending beyond
extending well beyond worksite.
worksite, effects for more than 6
Serious pollution for more than
months
12 months

Operations: -

Short or no delay in operations. Minor delay in operations. Minor Operation delayed/Degraded.

Trivial asset damage
asset damage.
Moderate asset damage.

Operational failure. Critical

asset damage.

Severity
3

10

12

15

12

16

20

10

15

20

25

Low

High

Low

Extremely
Improbable

Operational failure. Serious

asset damage.

One or more fatalities

1
'
An accident could only
occur under freak conditions

Improbable
2

Possible
The accident may occur if an additional event
takes place.

Probability

An accident might occur if other factors were

present but the risk is minimal.

Probable
4

The accident could be precipitated by wind,

vessel movement, vibration or human
carelessness.

If work continues there will almost certainly be

an accident

High

Highly probable
5

Risk Priority Numbers aka. "RPN"

Failure Detection
Probability value

This value is based on the "ease" of detection of a failure. The number of Levels is 5,
1 = easy detection / failure is obvious,
5 = unlikely to detect before operational use or fails in service without warning.

i.e. n = 1 to 5.

Certain
or Very High

Obvious failure - visually obvious, easy to notice,

housing etc.)

High

Audio or visual alarm

different Detection Probability value to the item which it is protecting)

Medium

Failure identified only by human monitoring / inspection

extinguisher in red zone, engine oil levels)

Low

Failure apparent only through secondary indications.

failure identified by rising CO2 levels)

Very low

Failure of emergency/backup system during operation or failure apparent only when it causes other systems fail
(eg chamber flow fuse fails to operate after external pipework failure)

(e.g. not concealed within a

(Note: the alarm may have a

(eg gauge in fire

(eg scrubber

Use to the "Failure Detection Probability" value (n=1 to 5) calculate the Risk Priority Number "RPN" for an Item

RPN = Severity x Probability x Detection Probability

the possible RPN range is 1 to 125
e.g. Severity = 4, Probability = 1 and the Detection Probability = 5 (i.e. very low chance of detection)
RPN = 4 x 1 x 5 = 20. Notice the Risk Matrix score is 4 (Low Risk) nothing needs to be considered. But!...?
Calculating an RPN can assist in decision making as to where remedial action needs to be concentrated first
resources, Time, Manpower, Capital etc.)

(i.e. the most efficient allocation of

A high RPN ranking will also be an strong indication that changes are required to the SOP, PMS and critical spares compliment on the system.

Absolute Evaluation Method - Risk Index Work Sheet.

Low

Severity Ratings:
Numerical Value:

Negligable

1
No absence from work

Health and Safety: No significant impact. Easily

controlled on worksite

Environment: -

Operations: -

Short or no delay in
operations. Trivial asset
damage

Low

Probability Ratings:
Numerical Value:

Extremely Improbable

1
An accident could only
occur under freak
conditions

Failure Detection
'
Probability Rating:
Numerical Value:
Note:
'This is an
Ranking -

High

Certain

1
Obvious failure - visually

"Inverse" obvious, easy to notice,

'
(e.g. not concealed within a
Easy
housing etc.)
Detection Probability = 1
'
Very Low Detection Probability =
5

Risk Index
Information:
RI <= 2.250 is
OK.
Select value of nMax.
Suggest nMax. = 5 or 10
Reject Solution, Situation
Unacceptable / Do not
Operate
Do Not Use! / Suspend Pending
Review / Advise Management
Restrict Use, Operate with
Extreme Caution if it is
necessary to continue
operations.
Operate with Caution
OK to Operate!
Acceptable Solution
OK! Acceptable for
Operations:
RI = < 1.000 is not a valid resul

n = 1 to 5

RI Value as % of nmax.

5.000
100.00%

2.875

62.50%

2.625

57.50%

2.375

52.50%

2.250

50.00%

1.750

40.00%

0.750

20.00%

1.000

0.00%

The Calculation of Risk Index (RI)

Risk
Index

Each element's score a, b and c is obtained from our understanding and expertise of the it
transformed in to the new synthetic evaluation index RI, which is a numerical value indicat
view point of control technology (and safety).
The Optimal RI

If we accept the optimal score of each element is 50% of the Max Score of n = 5, then the
exceed 2.5, the current control measures are considered to pass FMEA / FMECA assessmen
evaluation smoothly.

a=2.5, b=2.5, c=2.5 Which of course will provide an RI of 2.500 which in this evaluation w
Optimal RI value can be "tightened" up to a smaller number e.g. 2.000 or 2.250 if circumst

If operational requirements dictate a lower level of risk, the Optimal score can be recalcula
Optimum Risk Index value. If this is done and we are using a range of n = 1 to 5, any calc
between 2 and 5 requires further treatment, management or reengineering.
Changing the Optimal RI % of the applied range will (of course) require

The Necessity for Special Index and Formula to include "Detectability Probability
However, it is difficult for the case where the combination of a score is

a= 3, b= 3, c= 1 - Here we have 2 values which are relatively high and a low number, loo
result is 18 which again is looking high, however taking the cubed root of the product we h
Reducing our RI (Risk Index) back to a scale of n = 1 to 5 is considerably more manageable
expertise and knowledge in the 3 areas we are considering to produce a viable and reliable

The following formula will be obtained when this problem is dealt with using control techno
i.e. we are calculating the cube root of Probability x Severity x Detectio
formula is written as RI = POWER( (S * P * DP),1/3) e.g. using cell refe

You can substitute the element scores into this expression and get a synthetic evaluation s
The Reason for the Dimensional Return

The elements a, b, and c are one-dimensional values which show the necessity for measur
the necessity for measures, the three-dimensional value needs to be returned to a one-dim
(Probability x Severity x Detection Probability) as described above.
Discussion of the Reason for the one-dimensional value

The calculation of RI should not make an arithmetic average but a cubic average. This is be
Additionally, by performing this calculation (finding the cubed root of the product) the resu
and context as the original values. i.e. n = 1 to 5 in our case
Even if operational necessities dictated the requirement for n = 1 to 1
still remain in the context of n = 1 to 10 (if calculated as the cubed root of the product). A
score (5) as the Optimal RI value. (An RI of 4 could also be considered if circumstances dic
and need to be decided upon to fit the context in which they are being used, to create prac
outcomes while at the same time being represented in a simple and intuitive fashion so as

Return to top of Page.

dex Work Sheet.

following the work of Takaro Unuma. OLT Institute, Japan

Brief Discussion follows below!

Severity

Low

Slight

Moderate

High

Serious

Very serious

Minor first aid required

Injury leading to lost time

Possible permanent
disability, possible fatality

Short term effect on site,

controlled on worksite

Local pollution, may have

lasting effect on worksite

Pollution extending beyond Major uncontrolled release

worksite, effects for more
extending beyond worksit
than 6 months
Serious pollution for > tha
12 months

Minor delay in operations.

Minor asset damage.

Operation
delayed/Degraded.
Moderate asset damage.

Operational failure. Serious Operational failure. Critica

asset damage.
asset damage.

Probability

Low

High

Improbable

Possible

Probable

An accident might occur if

other factors were present
but the risk is minimal.

Highly Probable

An accident may occur if an The accident could easily If work continues there wi
additional event takes
be caused by environmental almost certainly be an
place.
conditions, platform
accident
instability, vibration or
human carelessness.

Detectability

High

One or more fatalities

High

Medium

Audio or visual alarm

Failure identified only by
(Note: the human monitoring /
alarm may have a different inspection
Detection Failure Probability
(e.g. gauge
value to the item which it is in fire extinguisher in red
protecting - This should also zone, engine oil levels)
be considered)

Low

Low

Very Low

Failure apparent only

Failure of a system or an
through secondary
emergency backup system
indications.
during operation with the
(e.g.
failure apparent only when
scrubber failure identified by causes other systems fail
rising CO2 levels)
(e.g.
chamber flow fuse fails to
operate after external
pipework failure)

Enter

Risk Index Calculator:

Risk Index
Optimum as a %
below

("Open" enter "P", "S" & "FDP")

Manual Entry !
where
"RI" = (Prob x Severity x Det. Prob.)1/3

45.0%
Range
< = 5.000 & >
Range 2.875
< = 2.875 & >
Range 2.625
Range

< = 2.625 & >

2.375

Range

< = 2.375 & >

2.250

FDP

2.5

OK to Operate!
Acceptable Solution

< = 2.250 & >

Range 1.750
< = 1.750 & >
1.000

Return to top of Page.

Hyperlink to Systems & Sub-Systems:

following the work of Takaro Unuma. OLT Institute, Japan

ref. http://www.geocities.jp/takaro_u/fmea_eng.html#c6-5

erstanding and expertise of the item of equipment or the process we are studying, these scores are
which is a numerical value indicating the degree of lack (i.e., additional need) of control measures f

the Max Score of n = 5, then the Optimal RI is 2.5. When each element obtains the score which do
to pass FMEA / FMECA assessment. For example, the failure mode that obtains the score shown bel

of 2.500 which in this evaluation we are considering to be optimal.

ber e.g. 2.000 or 2.250 if circumstances required this.

he Optimal score can be recalculated to 40% (for example) of the Max Score of "n MAX", this will lowe
ng a range of n = 1 to 5, any calculated RI between 1 and 2 will be considered to be acceptable an
nt or reengineering.
plied range will (of course) require recalculating of the "Risk Index Information" column as shown ab

lude "Detectability Probability" into the evaluation.

n of a score is

atively high and a low number, looking at them makes subjective judgement difficult, multiplied toge
he cubed root of the product we have a result of 2.080 which is < 2.5 and there for an acceptable v
is considerably more manageable than working on a scale of n = 1 to 125 (5x5x5) and requires mu
ng to produce a viable and reliable answer.

is dealt with using control technology.

of Probability x Severity x Detection Probability.
S * P * DP),1/3) e.g. using cell references "POWER((G21*H21*I21),1/3))" )

n and get a synthetic evaluation score, based on the next reasons.

ch show the necessity for measures. In order similarly for RI to serve as a one-dimensional value wh
needs to be returned to a one-dimensional value. We achieve this by taking the Cubed Root of the
ed above.

age but a cubic average. This is because each score a, b, and c have a mutually different meaning.
ubed root of the product) the resulting answer remains a meaningful and practical number in the sa
case
ated the requirement for n = 1 to 10 for probability, Severity & Detectability, the resultant RI value w
the cubed root of the product). Additionally, it would be practical to select the median value of eac
be considered if circumstances dictated tightening up the criteria, remember all these values are su
hey are being used, to create practical, efficient and economic solutions, which will produce optima
simple and intuitive fashion so as not to confuse management.)

ref. http://www.geocities.jp/takaro_u/fmea_eng.html#c6-5

Enter
Values

y serious

e or more fatalities

Selecte
d

w!

SH&S =
3

or uncontrolled release
ending beyond worksite.
ious pollution for > than
months

Risk Index Calculator:

where "RI" = (Prob x Severity x Det. Prob.)

FDP

SE =

2.3

erational failure. Critical

et damage.

SO =
1

Operate with Caution

Risk Index Info Table:

hly Probable

ork continues there will

ost certainly be an
ident

P=

y Low

ure of a system or an
ergency backup system
ng operation with the
ure apparent only when it
ses other systems fail
(e.g.
mber flow fuse fails to
rate after external
ework failure)

FDP =

Risk Index Calculator:

(Linked to and duplicating the
calculator above)

x Det. Prob.)

1/3

where
"RI" = (Prob x Severity x Det. Prob.)1/3

RI

FDP

RI

2.466

2.621

olution

g, these scores are

control measures from the

Operate with Caution

he score which does not

e score shown below passes
The

", this will lower the

o be acceptable and anything

MAX

olumn as shown above.

ult, multiplied together the

or an acceptable value.
5) and requires much less

(the excel

mensional value which shows

Cubed Root of the product of

ifferent meaning.
l number in the same range

esultant RI value would then

edian value of each max
hese values are subjective
ill produce optimal safety

g.html#c6-5

erity x Det. Prob.)1/3

RI

2.621

Caution

General Guidance:
http://www.weibull.com/basics/fmea_fig1.htm

commonly used format: (conventional)

Use Top-down Analysis on already-known processes

Use Bottom-up analysis for R&D, Product Development and Procedureal Design

sed format: (conventional)

Abbreviations
ABS
ASME
AODC
BIBS
CO2
CO
DDC
RCL
DESIGN
ECU
FMEA
FMECA
FSW
HeO2
HP
H2S
HLB
ID
IMCA
IOGP
LARS
LSP
LR
LP
MSW
Nitrox
OD
O2
P & ID
PMS
Sat.
PVHO
RPN
SWL
SPF
SWR
SDC
TUP
TUPC

American Bureau of Shipping

American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Association of Offshore Diving Contractors
Built In Breathing System
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Monoxide
Deck Decompression Chamber
Divers Reclaim
Diving Equipment Systems Inspection Guidance Note (IMCA DESIGN)
Environmental Control Unit
Failure Modes and Effects Analysis
Failure Modes and Effects Criticality Analysis
Feet of Seawater
Helium & Oxygen Mixed Gas
High Pressure
Hydrogen Sulphide Gas.
Hyperbaric Life Boat
Internal Diameter
International Marne Contractors Association
International Oil and Gas Producers
Launch and Recovery System
Life Support Package
Lloyds Register
Low Pressure
Meters Sea Water
Nitrogen & Oxygen Mixed Gas
Outside Diameter
Oxygen
Piping and Instrumentation Diagram
Planned Maintenance System
Prefix used for Saturation
Pressure Vessel for Human Occupancy
Risk Priority Number (Probability x Severity x Detection Probability (before failure))
Safe Working Load
Single Point Failure
Steel Wire Rope
Submersible Decompression Chamber aka. Diving Bell
Transfer Under Pressure
Transfer Under Pressure Chamber.