Qualitative Risk Assessment methodologies include:

• What if/Safety Checklist: Structured session to identify process hazards for a series of "what if" scenarios. A safety checklist is used to ensure that all likely hazards are included in the review.
• Hazard Operability Analysis (HAZOP): A systematic group approach to identify and assess process hazards for specific processes in the system.

Regardless of the methodology used, the qualitative risk assessment process should include:

• Input from SMEs, workers and management
• Suggested controls (engineering and/or administrative) for each hazard identified.

A number of reference books are available which outline the What If/Checklist and HAZOP methodologies along with example systems.