FMEA Methodology Capabilities in Environmental Risk Management
Abstract
The paper asserts convincingly the appropriateness of the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) methodology for risk identification and minimization activities based on the analysis of potential process inconsistencies disclosed through a quantitative analysis of cause-and-effect discrepancies. Advanced in the paper is also an in-depth analysis of FMEA methodology applicability for the development of new projects and technologies, for production process and product quality planning analyses and takes a closer look of FMEA methodology capabilities in environmental risk management.
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Introduction
In alignment with today's best management practices, companies committed to achieving sustainable development are more determined to implement risk and opportunity management strategies following the general principles of hazard prevention and control programmes. In 2009 the International Organisation ISO adopted three fundamental documents with regard to the basic concepts, principles and basic methods for risk management, namely: ISO Guide 73:2009 „Risk Management. Vocabulary“; ISO/IEC ISO 31000:2009 „Principles and Guidelines on Implementation “and ISO/IEC ISO 31010:2009 „Risk Management. Risk Assessment Techniques“. Almost all of the recommended risk management techniques have been successfully applied in the last few years for the purposes of risk identification, analysis, assessment and management. Of all the 31 methods included in the Standard, 4 refer to the project cycle management and the major life cycle phases - identification, analysis, assessment, ranking (prioritization) and proposal ideas for improvement.
Conclusion
FMEA methodology allows prioritisation of failures according to their severity, frequency and detection. The severity describes the significance of the effects of failure. Frequency describes how often failures can occur. Detection refers to a degree of difficulty in detecting damages. FMEA also includes documenting or recording the current knowledge of the risks of failure. FMEA reduces risk at all levels by taking actions that prevent failures or at least reduce their probability of occurrence. It also decides conclusively and assists in the selection of corrective actions that mitigate the impact and consequences of failures. FMEA is applicable in the earliest design and conceptual stages and, through development and testing processes, could be further employed in controlling the process of ongoing operations throughout the entire product or system life cycle.