A technique or procedure used to analyse the likelihood of failure within a process or system. It involves a process of review in assessing and quantifying risks; identifying those that are of the greatest concern to the overall process or system, and preventing problems before they arise, saving both time and money. The ‘failure modes’ are problems that need to be identified and the ‘effects analysis’ are the consequences of the problems, which may include loss of plant function, equipment damage, plant shutdown, injury, release of materials to the environment, etc.