Process Safety with Trish & Traci

Use HAZOPs Properly

A hazard and operability study (HAZOP) mostly is a safety design check, not a design development review. Making and finalizing major design choices should occur long before a HAZOP.

In this In Case You Missed It Episode, Traci Purdum reads a column from Plant InSites columnist Andrew Sloley.

 

Written By: Andrew Sloley
Read By: Traci Purdum 
Read Article: https://www.chemicalprocessing.com/voices/plant-insites/article/21437737/use-hazops-properly

Master Inherently Safer Design Principles

In today's episode, Trish and Traci discuss inherently safer design principles, emphasizing proactive safety measures. Trish shares examples, such as separating hazardous substances from work areas and minimizing potential risks through thoughtful design choices. They highlight challenges like maintaining design integrity throughout project phases and stress the importance of documenting safety rationale for future reference. The discussion extends to the intersection of inherently safer design with sustainability, emphasizing the need for ongoing vigilance and communication to ensure safer facilities and environments.

Differences Between Experiences and Learning in Process Safety

Daily experiences vary, but key events hold lessons. Reflection is vital for learning and shaping success.

 

Written By: Trish Kerin

Read By: Trish Kerin 

Read Article HERE https://www.chemicalprocessing.com/voices/stay-safe/article/33018718/the-difference-between-experiences-and-learning-in-process-safety

Accident Anniversaries: Honoring Lives and Learning Lessons

In their podcast, Trish and Traci discuss the importance of commemorating anniversaries of incidents, emphasizing the need to learn from the past. Trish highlights two reasons for reflection: learning from past events to prevent recurrence and honoring those who lost their lives. They delve into various historical incidents, such as the IChemE Safety Centre's 10th anniversary, the LNG explosion in Algeria, the Boston molasses spill, the flour dust explosion in Germany, the Valdez oil spill, Flixborough, the Phillips Petroleum incident in Texas, and the 40-year anniversary of the Bhopal disaster. The discussion underscores the ongoing relevance of these incidents and the importance of continuous learning in process safety.

How Reducing Emergency Procedures Bolsters Safety

Welcome to the crossover edition of Process Safety with Trish and Traci -- the podcast that aims to share insights from past incidents to help avoid future events. I’m Traci Purdum, EIC of Chemical Processing.

Today’s crossover is from our Chemical Processing Distilled podcast series. I recently spoke with Dave Strobhar, founder and principal human factors engineer for Beville Engineering. We discussed

Unlocking Efficiency By Reducing Emergency Procedures. This conversation struck me as a perfect addition to the Trish & Traci series, so without further adieu, let’s listen in.

Avoid Common Pitfalls of Risk Perception Via Statistics, Storytelling

In this episode, Trish and Traci, along with guest Melissa Humphries, discuss the challenges of intuitively understanding uncertainty and likelihoods in risk assessments. They highlight the common pitfalls of dismissing low-likelihood events and the impact of human nature on risk perception. Melissa explains statistical concepts like risk and uncertainty, emphasizing the importance of communicating findings effectively. They delve into the role of statistical methods in identifying influential factors affecting risk and stress the need for storytelling and stakeholder engagement in conveying complex statistical results.

Reflecting On Tragedy Can Improve Process Safety

This In Case You Missed It episode brings the written word to life. Today, Trish Kerin, the director of IChemE Safety Centre, and Stay Safe columnist for Chemical Processing, will read her column “Reflecting On Tragedy Can Improve Process Safety,” which appeared in the December 2023 edition of our magazine.
Written By: Trish Kerin
Read By: Trish Kerin 
Read Article HERE 

La Mède Refinery Tragedy Unveils Critical Corrosion Lessons

In the podcast episode, Traci and Trish discuss the 31st anniversary of the La Mède Refinery explosion in France, detailing the events and the consequences, including six fatalities and significant financial loss. Trish emphasizes the importance of rigorous corrosion inspection programs and the need for comprehensive risk assessments in facility design. They explore legal implications, questioning the attribution of blame to specific individuals. The conversation shifts to the need for explosion-proof control rooms and considerations for retrofitting existing facilities. Traci raises the importance of space between units to prevent a domino effect during explosions, and Trish highlights various mitigation measures, including advanced firefighting techniques and vapor barriers. The episode underscores the continual evolution of safety technologies and emphasizes the importance of embracing new developments to enhance facility safety.

Lessons Learned From The Deadly Explosion In Pasadena, Texas

This episode discusses the 1989 Pasadena chemical plant explosion that claimed 23 lives. The incident led to the modernization of process safety measures in the U.S. Trish and Traci emphasize the importance of dedicated firewater systems, meticulous maintenance procedures, and strategies to combat complacency. They also explore the use of case studies and emphasize the positive legacy of Mary Kay O'Connor in promoting process safety. Subscribe to stay informed and visit chemicalprocessing.com for additional resources.

Don’t Let Risk Management Falter

A deep understanding of risks empowers us to make informed decisions