Icompetent Logo

Loss of Containment Prevention

Understand what loss of primary containment (LOPC) is, why small leaks are leading indicators of major accident hazards, and how integrity, reinstatement and operating discipline keep hazardous materials in the pipe. For everyone who works on or around pressurised hydrocarbon or chemical systems.

Get started free Browse more skills
52m
Total time
4
Competency levels
12
Lessons

What you'll learn

  • Explain the difference between personal safety and process safety, and why a low injury rate does not prove containment risk is controlled
  • Describe what a loss of primary containment (LOPC) is and why every leak, sheen or hiss must be reported, no matter how small
  • Identify common LOPC causes, including corrosion and erosion, flange and small-bore fitting failures, hoses, overfilling, wrong line-ups and maintenance reinstatement errors
  • Apply barrier thinking (the Swiss cheese model) to recognise how weakened prevention and mitigation barriers line up to cause a release
  • Apply safe reinstatement practice: joint integrity, controlled bolt-up and leak testing at pressure before handback
  • Explain the tiered LOPC classification concept and how leading indicators track the health of containment barriers

Curriculum

Progress through each competency level in order.

1

Awareness

  • Process safety is not personal safety
    Knowledge
    3m
  • Barrier thinking and the Swiss cheese model
    Knowledge
    2m
  • Awareness check: loss of containment basics
    Assessment
    7m
2

Knowledge

  • Where leaks come from: common LOPC causes
    Knowledge
    3m
  • Counting what matters: tiered LOPC classification and reporting
    Knowledge
    3m
  • Knowledge check: causes and classification
    Assessment
    8m
3

Skill

  • Keeping it tight: safe reinstatement and operating envelope discipline
    Knowledge
    3m
  • LOPC threat walk-down
    Assignment
    3m
  • Skill check: reinstatement and operating discipline
    Assessment
    7m
4

Mastery

  • Asset integrity and barrier health
    Knowledge
    3m
  • Lead a containment barrier review
    Assignment
    3m
  • Mastery check: barrier judgement
    Assessment
    7m

Ready to build Loss of Containment Prevention?

Create a free account on iCompetent and start progressing through the levels today.

Get started free