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The Bowtie Method

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The Bowtie Method is a risk evaluation method that can be used to analyse and demonstrate causal relationships in high risk scenarios. The method takes its name from the shape of the diagram that you create, which looks like a men’s bowtie. A Bowtie diagram does two things.

  • First of all, a Bowtie gives a visual summary of all plausible accident scenarios that could exist around a certain Hazard.
  • Second, by identifying control measures the Bowtie displays what a company does to control those scenarios.

Once the control measures are identified, the Bowtie method takes it one step further and identifies the ways in which control measures fail. These factors or conditions are called Escalation factors. There are possible control measures for Escalation factors as well, which is why there is also a special type of control called an Escalation factor control, which has an indirect but crucial effect on the main Hazard. By visualising the interaction between Controls and their Escalation factors one can see how the overall system weakens when Controls have Escalation factors.

Besides the basic Bowtie diagram, management systems should also be considered and integrated with the Bowtie to give an overview of what activities keep a Control working and who is responsible for a Control. Integrating the management system in a Bowtie demonstrates how Hazards are managed by a company. The Bowtie can also be used effectively to assure that Hazards are managed to an acceptable level (ALARP). By combining the strengths of several safety techniques and the contribution of human and organisational factors, Bowtie diagrams facilitate workforce understanding of Hazard management and their own role in it. It is a method that can be understood by all layers of the organisation due to its highly visual and intuitive nature, while it also provides new insights to the HSE professional.[1]

  1. Definition - What is The Bowtie Method CGE Risk