We have created bowtie diagram examples to showcase the visual appeal of this straightforward risk assessment technique used to understand and communicate risk.

Bowtie diagrams are a method used in risk assessments to help you visualise your risk. By understanding the barriers you have in place to prevent an incident or mitigate its consequences, you can improve your organisation’s risk management strategies. Bowtie diagrams are used in many different industries, but particularly in those deemed hazardous. This includes Oil & Gas, Cyber Security, Aerospace, Offshore Wind, Rail & Transport, and many more. 

Download bowtie diagram examples by industry here:

• Offshore Wind – Major component lifting operations
• Aviation – Air operators impacted by Covid-19
• Oil and Gas ­– Loss of containment of volatile hydrocarbons

For additional uses of bowtie analysis have a look at Additional uses of Bowtie Diagrams.

These diagrams were created using the bowtie methodology outlined below:

1. Identify and document the hazard that is to be investigated
2. Identify the top event i.e. the major accident
3. Identify the initiating events (i.e the threats)
4. Identify the consequences if the major accident was to escalate
5. Identify preventative barriers that are capable of completely stopping the top event or preventing the initiating event
6. Identify mitigative barriers that prevent or limit the consequences
7. Identify escalation factors that define how the barriers identified could degrade

Use this bowtie analysis cheat sheet to build your first bowtie diagram to identify and manage the key controls of your operation.