During which step of the process life cycle does evaluating equipment for an inherently safer process typically occur first?

The evaluation of equipment for an inherently safer process takes place primarily during the development phase of the process life cycle. This step is crucial because it addresses safety considerations early on, allowing for the assessment and integration of materials, technology, and processes that minimize hazards before they become embedded in the design and operation of the facility.

In the development stage, designers and engineers focus on identifying potential risks associated with various process options and equipment choices. This proactive stance enables teams to optimize safety by selecting equipment that eliminates or reduces hazards. Decisions made during this phase have a lasting impact on the later stages of the life cycle, including design, construction, and operations.

Once the process has entered the design and construction phases, it becomes more challenging and costly to make significant changes to the equipment or processes. The operations and maintenance phase is concerned with the functionality and reliability of the equipment rather than the initial safety evaluations, and decommissioning primarily deals with safely shutting down processes at the end of their life cycle, rather than evaluating safety features during active operation. Thus, the correct timing for evaluating equipment for inherently safer processes is during the development phase.