Bowtie Risk Assessment & Barrier Management

Course overview

This course develops the knowledge and practical judgement needed to understand major accident scenarios and challenge the evidence supporting process-risk decisions. The learning sequence begins with hazard, top event and consequence boundaries, then develops the tools and decisions involved in threat and consequence pathway development. Participants connect these foundations with the remaining modules and complete applied work focused on keeping bowties current through change.

The programme is intended for process-safety and HSE personnel, engineers, operations supervisors and managers. Examples are examined from both the person delivering the work and the person reviewing its adequacy. Participants practise identifying the relevant requirement, gathering evidence, recognising uncertainty and documenting a justified recommendation. The emphasis and level of challenge follow the approved intermediate level and the stated duration of 2 Days.

Learning combines facilitator explanation, structured questions, case analysis and practical outputs that can be reviewed against the objectives. Corporate groups can use agreed, anonymised procedures and records to make the discussion relevant to their own operations. Exercises distinguish a training recommendation from an authorised workplace decision: local law, client requirements, contracts, engineering standards and manufacturer instructions remain applicable. The closing activity produces a specific improvement or review plan, with responsibilities and evidence requirements that participants can discuss with their own management.

Why this course matters

The course connects hazard, top event and consequence boundaries with keeping bowties current through change. Participants practise making the reasoning and evidence behind an operational decision clear enough for others to review.

Learning objectives

• Explain the scope of hazard, top event and consequence boundaries.
• Identify the key requirements for threat and consequence pathway development.
• Apply a structured approach to preventive and mitigative barriers.
• Evaluate evidence relating to barrier owners and performance expectations.
• Develop a practical output for degradation factors and controls.
• Justify recommendations concerning bowtie workshop and quality review.
• Review responsibilities for assurance evidence and impairment response.
• Prepare an implementation plan for keeping bowties current through change.

Who should attend

process-safety and HSE personnel, engineers, operations supervisors and managers

Prerequisites

Relevant workplace exposure and familiarity with basic subject terminology are recommended. Advanced technical workshops require suitable prior knowledge; participant suitability and any specialist preparation are confirmed before booking.

Course curriculum

1. Hazard, top event and consequence boundaries

   Describe a risk as a credible scenario with causes, an event and consequences in a defined context.

2. Threat and consequence pathway development

   Describe a risk as a credible scenario with causes, an event and consequences in a defined context.

3. Preventive and mitigative barriers

   A barrier is associated with a defined scenario and a function that prevents an event or reduces its consequences.

4. Barrier owners and performance expectations

   A barrier is associated with a defined scenario and a function that prevents an event or reduces its consequences.

5. Degradation factors and controls

   A barrier is associated with a defined scenario and a function that prevents an event or reduces its consequences.

6. Bowtie workshop and quality review

   Assurance asks whether the organisation has adequate grounds to trust its arrangements.

7. Assurance evidence and impairment response

   A barrier is associated with a defined scenario and a function that prevents an event or reduces its consequences.

8. Keeping bowties current through change

   Assurance asks whether the organisation has adequate grounds to trust its arrangements.

Practical learning

An operating facility proposes a change while one protective system is impaired. The team has an old hazard-study action list, current maintenance records and a pressure to restore capacity. Management needs a defensible decision supported by current scenario and control information.

Participants examine this fictional case through the course modules, identify missing information and prepare a justified response. Corporate examples can be adapted within the agreed scope.

Assessment approach

Knowledge checks assess understanding, while a practical case output tests application. Review criteria are accuracy, use of evidence, recognition of limitations, clear responsibility and feasibility. The facilitator provides feedback; joining instructions confirm attendance requirements and any formal pass criteria before delivery.

Completion information

An Al-Warkaa professional-development completion certificate may be issued against the confirmed attendance and assessment requirements. This is not a claim of professional licensure, regulatory authorisation or third-party accreditation.

Delivery options

Live Online / Distance Learning; Classroom; Corporate In-House; Blended where suitable

Online delivery means instructor-led live online or distance learning. Practical workshops retain the stated classroom/in-house preference. Dates, teaching language, venue and the session schedule are confirmed before enrolment.

Corporate delivery

Request a proposal with the course, number of participants, location, preferred dates and delivery method. Groups above 12 receive a custom quotation. Travel, venue, accommodation, printing, examinations and third-party certification are included only when expressly stated in the proposal.

Frequently asked questions

Does an enquiry reserve a place?

An enquiry starts a discussion. Your place or group delivery is confirmed after availability, scope and commercial terms are agreed.

Can the course use our procedures?

Yes, relevant anonymised documents can be agreed for corporate delivery. Added scope and extensive preparation are confirmed in the quotation.

Is this available as an immediate self-paced course?

The approved online pathway is live online/distance learning. Self-paced learning media is not represented as available until it has been developed and enabled.