Shows
Process Safety with Trish & TraciLessons Learned from the Columbia DisasterThis 100th episode of "Process Safety With Trish and Traci" examines the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia disaster through the lens of due diligence. Columbia disintegrated during re-entry after foam debris damaged heat shield tiles during launch. The podcast explores how NASA normalized foam strikes over time, turning "lessons of failure into memories of success." Multiple intervention opportunities were missed due to inadequate resources, poor communication, and cultural barriers.
2025-06-2436 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciTaming Static Electricity in Glass-Lined ReactorsOn a sunny summer day in 2007 near Wichita, Kansas, a tanker truck was offloading naphthalene into a stainless-steel tank at a solvent tank farm when the container spontaneously ignited, catching fire and exploding, shooting projectiles in the air. This led to the evacuation of thousands in a nearby community. While there were no casualties, the explosion destroyed the entire storage facility, luckily not causing any injuries or fatalities in the nearby community.
An investigation determined that electrostatic charge buildup had caused a spark that ignited a solvent-air mixer in the vapor space in the vessel receiving naphtha from t...2025-06-1012 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciAI and Machine Learning Transform Compliance, But Humans Still KeyRisk assessment should still be a manual process, but AI can streamline data collection to enable sound engineering judgments.
In this episode, Trish and Traci welcome guest Dheerajkumar Narang, whose research examines how AI and machine learning can enhance process safety compliance. Traditional compliance methods are time-consuming and fragmented across different systems, while AI can automate data collection, identify leading indicators and predict compliance outcomes. Key challenges include system integration with legacy infrastructure and maintaining domain expertise for regulatory updates. AI should streamline processes to allow operators to focus on critical tasks.
2025-05-2725 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciCallide Power Station: 34 Minutes to DisasterIn this episode, Trish and Traci discuss the catastrophic failure at Queensland's Callide Power Station C4 on May 25, 2021, which caused power outages for 470,000 people. During a routine switching operation to replace DC battery systems, a voltage drop was misinterpreted as an AC fault, triggering a cascading failure. Both AC and DC systems failed, leaving the turbine without lubrication while it continued spinning backwards at 3,000 RPM.
The incident demonstrates that process safety principles apply beyond traditional chemical plants to any high-hazard environment. Key lessons include proper hazard identification, functioning safety controls, and maintaining culture, leadership, accountability and governance i...2025-05-1337 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciProcess Safety: Wield Questions to Learn and TeachThis In Case You Missed It episode brings the written word to life. Today, Trish Kerin, the director of Lead Like Kerin, and Stay Safe columnist for Chemical Processing, will read her column “Wield Questions to Learn and Teach”
“Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought him back.” – A proverb made modern by Eugene O’Neill.
Have you ever asked a question at work and were surprised by the answer? Over the course of my career, this has happened many times. Sometimes, the answer was genuinely new to me. Other times, I was surprised that someone thoug...2025-04-2906 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciDeadly Lessons from BP DisastersRemembering the human toll of Texas City and Deepwater Horizon and applying those lessons learned can prevent similar tragedies.
In this episode, Trish and Traci discuss two major BP incidents: the 2005 Texas City Refinery explosion that killed 15 workers when an overfilled tower created a geyser of hot raffinate that ignited, and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion that killed 11 workers and caused the largest U.S. marine oil spill when cement failed to properly seal a well. Key factors included faulty equipment, misleading indicators, inappropriate safety messaging and failure to learn from near-misses. These tragedies led to industry-wide improvements...2025-04-1527 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciStop Stupidity with Relief DevicesHave you ever done a double-take when looking at an inspection photograph? I certainly did when an engineer at a valve manufacturer sent me an inspection photograph and asked, “See anything wrong with this picture?” “Yeah,” I replied. Someone had installed two expansion relief valves back-to-back on the body bleed of a twin-seated plug valve used for isolation in our gasoline tank farm. The valve casting safety port was cracked because expansion flow was choked. “Dumb, really dumb,” I remarked. How did this get by?
2025-03-2506 minProcess Safety with Trish & Traci4 Cs of Effective Process Safety StorytellingIn this podcast, Trish and Traci discuss the importance of storytelling in process safety. Trish shares two influential stories from her career and personal life. She outlines effective storytelling using the "four Cs": context, conflict, conclusion, and call to action. She emphasizes starting with a memorable moment to engage audiences, matching tone to content gravity, and personalizing stories.
2025-03-1123 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciAn Engineer’s Process Safety EvolutionWelcome to the In Case You Missed It edition of Process Safety with Trish and Traci -- the podcast that aims to share insights from past incidents to help avoid future events.
This In Case You Missed It episode brings the written word to life. Today, Trish Kerin, the director of Lead Like Kerin and Stay Safe columnist for Chemical Processing will read her column “An Engineer’s Process Safety Evolution.”
2025-02-2506 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciCan an AI Copilot Streamline HAZOPs?A former Formula One engineer has developed an AI copilot that can suggest questions, reference incident databases and provide support. But don’t worry, humans still have the last word.
2025-02-1128 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciJob Hazard Analysis Makeover: 5 Crucial StepsSafety experts share strategies to revitalize job hazard analysis programs. A piece of paper won’t save your life, but what’s on that paper could.
Trish and Traci, along with guest Valerie Stakes, discuss five steps to improve job hazard analysis (JHA) programs: honest program evaluation, form clarity, embedding JHAs in other documents, improved training and increasing visibility through collaboration.
2025-01-2124 minProcess Safety with Trish & Traci6 Process Safety Pearls of WisdomWe’ve extracted a few gems from the 2024 season of Process Safety with Trish & Traci. Listen in as we discuss recurring accidents, emergency systems and organizational learning.
2025-01-0717 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciProcess Safety Lessons from Bhopal 40 Years LaterThis In Case You Missed It episode brings the written word to life. Today, Trish Kerin, Chemical Processing’s Stay Safe columnist, will read her column “Process Safety Lessons from Bhopal 40 Years Later”
Written By: Trish Kerin
Read By: Trish Kerin
Read Article
2024-12-2405 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciButterflies of Bhopal -- Lessons Written in BloodThe Bhopal tragedy of 1984 at a Union Carbide pesticide plant in India killed thousands of people. The incident resulted from multiple safety failures: contaminated methyl isocyanate (MIC) storage, disabled safety systems and poor plant management. It led to significant changes in process safety, including the development of OSHA's Process Safety Management standard, the Center for Chemical Process Safety, and international safety directives like the Seveso protocol. Chemical engineer Ramin Abhari has created graphic novels to communicate the lessons learned, emphasizing the importance of inherently safer design, proper management of change and maintaining critical safety systems during plant decommissioning.
2024-12-1041 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciWhat Have We Learned from the Pemex LPG Explosion in Mexico City?In this episode, Trish and Traci discuss the 1984 Mexico City LPG disaster in Mexico, where a pipe burst at a Pemex facility. This led to a massive explosion equivalent to five Hiroshima bombs. A combination of factors, including poor management of change, inadequate fireproofing and proximity to residential areas, resulted in 500 deaths. Key lessons included the importance of proper land use planning, risk assessment and fire protection.
2024-11-2616 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciManage Transient Operations to Achieve Process Safety -- 6 Steps to FollowChemical Processing recently hosted a webinar on the importance of process safety during transient operations. Normal operations include continuous and batch processes, while abnormal situations involve plant upsets or deviations from typical parameters. Loss of control can lead to unscheduled shutdowns, and emergency situations may require immediate action. For all scenarios, proper instrumentation, risk assessment and decision-making are critical.
Trish Kerin, director of the IChemE Safety Centre and co-host of the Process Safety with Trish & Traci podcast series, served as the subject matter expert and emphasized that process safety revolves around leadership, focusing on knowledge, engineering, systems and human factors. 2024-11-1217 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciProcess Safety: Knowledge Is Power – Or Is It?Welcome to the In Case You Missed It 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. Please subscribe to this free podcast on your favorite platform to continue learning with Trish & me in this series.
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 “Knowledge Is Power – Or Is It?”2024-10-2906 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciLessons Learned from the Explosion at the Phillips Petroleum ComplexOn the 35th anniversary of the deadly event we examine how routine maintenance can go horribly wrong.
2024-10-1521 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciSafety Lessons from the Deadly Molasses Flood of 1919Welcome to the In Case You Missed It 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.
This In Case You Missed It episode brings the written word to life. Today, I will be reading a column by our editor at large Sean Ottewell “Safety Lessons from the Great Molasses Flood of 1919” -- Discover the catastrophic events of the Great Molasses Flood, where engineering failures led to a deadly wave of syrup in Boston’s North...2024-10-0105 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciProcess Safety Meets Nancy Drew, James Bond and MacGyverIn this episode of Process Safety with Trish and Traci we interview Fiona Erskine, an engineer and crime novelist who has a passion for process safety. Fiona discusses balancing her engineering career with writing and how she uses her novels to educate readers about process safety and engineering concepts. Her Dr. Jaq Silver series combines thrilling plots with accurate technical details, making complex topics accessible to non-experts.
2024-09-1739 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciProcess Safety: It’s Not Impossible That It’s PossibleOur tendency to underestimate the likelihood of rare occurrences can lead us to dismiss the possibility of process safety incidents.
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 “It’s Not Impossible That It’s Possible”
Written By: Trish Kerin
Read By: Trish Kerin
Read Article HERE 2024-09-0306 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciWorld’s First Process Safety Management StandardThe standard's industry-agnostic approach, its potential to influence global PSM practices and its role in setting benchmarks for organizations not covered by traditional legislation will impact safety practices worldwide.
In this episode, Trish & Traci discuss the Canadian Process Safety Management (PSM) standard CSA Z767, the world's first national PSM standard. Adrian Pierorazio and Parnian Jadidian — part of the team that crafted the standard — explain its development, starting as a guideline and evolving into a national standard to provide a unified framework for PSM across various industries in Canada. The standard was updated in 2024 to incorporate industry feedback and...2024-08-2030 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciPrevent Dust Explosions During ProcessingThe plant floor at the West Pharmaceuticals facility in Kingston, N.C., was kept spotless to meet hygiene requirements. However, combustible polyethylene dust accumulated in the suspended ceiling. This led to a dust explosion on January 29, 2003, that killed six workers, injured 38, and destroyed the plant. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) couldn’t identify the ignition source.
As I noted in a previous column, the CSB blames dust explosions for numerous fatalities at many plants. Let’s get into how to identify the risks of dust fires and explosions.
Written By: Dirk...2024-08-0606 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciLessons Learned From 1994 Texaco Refinery ExplosionControl system failures, alarm floods, maintenance issues and emergency response factored into this non-deadly incident.
2024-07-2316 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciDust Explosion Awareness Ebbs and FlowsIn this guest podcast episode from our sister publication Processing, Senior Editor Nate Todd interviews Chris Cloney of Dust Safety Science. In this episode, we discover that awareness of dust hazards varies globally, often spiking after major incidents but waning over time. The company tracks dust-related incidents annually, noting significant events like the 2023 grain silo explosion in Brazil. Common hazards involve grain, wood and metal dusts, with equipment like dust collectors and silos frequently implicated. Emerging industries like 3D printing and robotics present new challenges. Dust Safety Science emphasizes ongoing education and risk assessment to prevent future incidents.
2024-07-0927 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciCorroded Pipe Elbow Sparks Explosion, Launches 38,000-lb ShrapnelThe U.S. Chemical Safety Board identified five issues with the 2019 Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery fire and explosion: mechanical integrity, outdated equipment, lack of remote emergency isolation valves, safeguard reliability and the need for inherently safer design.
https://www.chemicalprocessing.com/podcast/process-safety-with-trish-and-traci
2024-06-2526 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciProcess Safety — Manage The Only Constant: ChangeUnderstanding the two kinds of change, deliberate and creeping, will aid you in keeping your facility a safe place to work.
As we look back 50 years, we can see both deliberate and creeping change played significant roles in the catastrophic explosion and fire that tore through the Nypro plant in Flixborough, U.K., resulting in the tragic loss of 28 lives and leaving 89 others injured.
2024-06-1106 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciLessons Learned From Flixborough 50 Years LaterThe Flixborough disaster in 1974 resulted in 28 fatalities and significant damage, leading to the introduction of management of change processes, improved asset integrity practices, emphasis on competency management, and enhanced control room safety measures. This landmark incident highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and continues to serve as a lesson in process safety.
2024-05-2816 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciBetter Visibility Into Hazardous ChemicalsTime is critical when tracking down hazardous substances. Whether it’s trying to mitigate safety incidents before they happen or being able to tap all the pertinent information during an emergency involving a chemical spill, fire or natural disaster, having an efficient way to trace every ingredient is paramount.
This crossover episode first appeared in our Distilled podcast series.
2024-05-2125 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciHazardous Lies: Former Safety Investigator Pens Fictional ThrillerIn this episode, Trish & Traci interview Stephen J. Wallace, a former investigator with the U.S. Chemical Safety Board and author of the book "Hazardous Lies." Wallace offers insights into the world of process safety investigations and the motivation behind his fictional thriller. Wallace draws from his real-life experiences to craft a realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by investigators, including companies' attempts to hide the truth, ethical dilemmas and the courage required to uncover the root causes of accidents.
2024-05-1450 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciLessons Learned From the Deadly Formosa ExplosionThe incident at Formosa Plastics in 2004 highlighted critical lessons in process safety. Human factors, communication gaps and inadequate equipment played significant roles in the death of five workers.
2024-04-3019 minProcess Safety with Trish & Traci10 Rules To Succeed at Process Safety ManagementThis In Case You Missed It episode of Process Safety with Trish & Traci brings the written word to life. Today, I will be reading an excerpt from a column written a few years ago by John Bresland, president of Process Safety Risk Assessment LLC and former chair of the United States Chemical Safety Board. The column “10 Rules To Succeed at Process Safety Management."
Written by: John Bresland
Read by: Traci Purdum
URL: https://www.chemicalprocessing.com/safety-security/fire-explosion-protection/article/11321430/10-rules-to-succeed-at-process-safety-management-chemical-processing
2024-04-1609 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciProcess Safety: Embrace Challenges, Recognize Limits, Manage RisksIt's crucial to operate within our professional boundaries and effectively mitigate risks when operating beyond them. In this In Case You Missed It episode, Trish Kerin, director of the IChemE Safety Centre, reads her most recent column:
Embrace Challenges, Recognize Limits, Manage Risks
2024-04-0206 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciTipisodes: 7 Steps To Better CybersecurityIn this episode, we offer 7 steps for better cybersecurity.
If you are a process control engineer, an IT professional in a company with an automation division, or a business manager responsible for safety or security, you may be wondering how your organization can get moving on more robust cybersecurity practices.
View the transcript for links to all the materials mentioned in this podcast.
https://www.chemicalprocessing.com/process-safety-w-trish-traci/article/33038811/tipisodes-7-steps-to-better-cybersecurity
2024-03-1907 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciLessons Learned from Boeing’s 737 MAX CrisisBoeing was known for its engineering excellence until a focus on profitability took over. Properly documenting management of change and recognizing weak signals could have prevented tragedy.
In this episode of Process Safety with Trish & Traci, we discuss the aviation industry's Boeing 737 MAX crisis and how it revealed critical management failures, emphasizing the importance of rigorous management of change, prioritizing safety over profitability and identifying weak signals. The mishaps stemmed from design flaws and inadequate pilot training, highlighting the need for systemic improvements to prevent similar tragedies. Lessons extend to other industries, emphasizing proactive risk mitigation and...2024-03-0522 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciUse HAZOPs ProperlyA 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
2024-02-2706 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciMaster Inherently Safer Design PrinciplesIn 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.
2024-02-1320 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciDifferences Between Experiences and Learning in Process SafetyDaily 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
2024-01-3005 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciAccident Anniversaries: Honoring Lives and Learning LessonsIn 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...2024-01-1619 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciHow Reducing Emergency Procedures Bolsters SafetyWelcome 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.
2024-01-0219 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciAvoid Common Pitfalls of Risk Perception Via Statistics, StorytellingIn 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.
2023-12-1921 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciReflecting On Tragedy Can Improve Process SafetyThis 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
2023-12-0505 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciLa Mède Refinery Tragedy Unveils Critical Corrosion LessonsIn 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 m...2023-11-2115 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciLessons Learned From The Deadly Explosion In Pasadena, TexasThis 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.
2023-11-0717 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciDon’t Let Risk Management FalterA deep understanding of risks empowers us to make informed decisions
2023-10-2507 minProcess Safety with Trish & Traci7 Steps To Maintaining Safety Awareness in Industrial PlantsPlants with good safety performance can become complacent over time, and lessons learned from incidents are often forgotten. It's crucial to instill and maintain a culture of constant unease to ensure ongoing safety.
According to the article, Former chair of the UK’s Health and Safety Executive Judith Hackitt bluntly warns: “Be clear that your role is to create unease, not to provide false (re)assurance.”
2023-10-1004 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciPodcast ep 54: ICYMI — Understand the Difference Between On-Spec and Fit For PurposeIn any facility, we always need to consider the risks and ensure we are managing them with appropriate controls to ensure process safety. Especially when we make changes, we need to ensure that different circumstances are considered.
2023-09-3005 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciPodcast: Mastering Risk Management in High-Hazard IndustriesIn this episode, we discuss risk assessment. The chemical industry is a high-hazard industry. That does not mean it has to be high-risk. We have to effectively manage risk to prevent an incident, and then if prevention fails, mitigate the consequences. If we get this wrong, people die.
2023-09-1946 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciPodcast ep 52: Game-Based Learning Revolutionizes Process Safety Education in the Chemical IndustryIn our latest episode, we sit down with Dr. Cheryl Bodnar, one of the brilliant minds behind "Contents Under Pressure," an immersive game designed to teach process safety. Discover the story behind the game and its impact on education and industry.
https://contentsunderpressure.engineering.uconn.edu/
Transcript: https://chemicalprocessing.com/33010965
2023-09-0530 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciTipisodes Podcast: Ep 51 9 Tips for Effective Process-Hazard Reviews in Management of ChangeBy following these tips, chemical facilities can enhance the effectiveness of their process-hazard reviews in the Management of Change (MoC) process, minimizing the risk of missing critical safety considerations and ensuring a robust safety management system.
2023-08-2904 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciEp 50 Podcast: Prepare For The WorstIn Case You Missed It edition of Process Safety with Trish and Traci. In Case You Missed It brings the written word to life. In today’s episode, Trish Kerin, the director of IChemE Safety Centre, and Stay Safe columnist for Chemical Processing, will read her column “Prepare For The Worst”, which appeared in the August 2023 edition of Chemical Processing magazine. She explains how safety training saved her from dying during a scuba diving mishap
2023-08-0804 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciPodcast: Piper Alpha Disaster -- 22 Terrifying Minutes, Countless Lessons LearnedThe tragedy exposed various deficiencies in safety management and emergency response. It remains a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous risk assessment, effective control measures, continuous monitoring of safety systems, and fostering a culture where workers feel empowered to stop unsafe work.
2023-07-2424 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciPodcast: ICYMI -- Don’t Ignore Weak SignalsWeak signals occur all around us every day, but we often either fail to notice them -- or their significance. It might be an unexpected or unexplainable alarm, a lead indicator that may be easily dismissed as false, or an observation by a worker. Apply the Platypus Philosophy to recognize these signals and make your facility safer.
2023-07-1105 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciPodcast: The Importance of Ethics In EngineeringInspired by a recent study about DuPont and 3M's knowledge of the toxicity of PFAS chemicals, this podcast discusses the importance of transparency and emphasizes the need for professionals to exercise their ethical judgment and stand up for what is right.
2023-06-2723 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciPodcast: Lessons Learned From The 2013 Williams Olefins ExplosionThe cause of the explosion was traced back to a heat exchanger at the plant. Written procedures, checklists, redundancy and assessing risks for transient and unusual operations can help avoid catastrophe.
2023-06-1414 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciEpisode 45: Fast Facts -- Trevor Kletz and Inherent SafetyIn this Fast Facts edition of Process Safety with Trish & Traci we discuss the lessons learned that led to the four principles of inherent safety as championed by the late Trevor Kletz. Many lives could be saved if the rules are applied.
2023-05-1705 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciEpisode 44: Lessons Learned From 1988 Shell Plant ExplosionA corroded vapor line caused the deadly incident. This episode talks about ways to stay ahead of corrosion concerns and how to better protect workers in case of unthinkable catastrophe.
2023-05-0122 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciEpisode 43: ICYMI: Story Telling Bolsters Process Safety -- What Are Your Shell Middens?Storytelling as a means of communication is a valuable tool to help people learn and retain important lessons. It is not about making things up but rather creating a memorable interaction.
2023-04-1706 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciEpisode 42: Don’t Dismiss Process Safety Weak Signals — Find Your PlatypusCognitive biases lead to process-safety events. By getting our brains used to looking for the unusual, we can better manage safety in our facilities. Trish Kerin, director of the IChemE Safety Centre, has staked her entire professional engineering career on talking about a weird animal as a way to try and help people understand and manage their weak signals. Transcript can be found at https://www.chemicalprocessing.com
2023-04-0322 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciPodcast: Examining Ohio Train Derailment; Five-Year Anniversary of ExxonMobil Earthquake IncidentTrish and Traci discuss the response to the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment noting that environmental factors could be an issue for some time. Also, this episode unpacks how ExxonMobil was able to weather a hurricane just five miles from the epicenter without loss of containment. Access the full transcript at https://www.chemicalprocessing.com/podcasts/article/11354264/chemical-processing-podcasts
2023-02-2122 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciTactics To Help First Responders During Process Safety IncidentsInsight into rescue challenges and solutions at chemical facilities.
Visit https://www.chemicalprocessing.com for more tools and resources aimed at helping you be efficient and safe.
2023-01-3145 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciPodcast: Lessons Learned From 2022 Process-Safety IncidentsTurning tragedy into tools to help avoid future catastrophes will help keep workers safe.
2022-12-2220 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciPodcast: Hone Transferable Skills To Promote SafetyThe workplace can be so much more for colleagues than simply doing a job and going home. If you want to succeed, you need to listen and communicate as it's the currency of safety.
2022-11-1720 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciPodcast: Avoid A Hero Complex During Safety TrainingPractice, practice and more practice makes great emergency response but be careful of the message you are sending.
2022-10-2926 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciPodcast: Hydrogen Safety & The Energy RevolutionUnlike the oil industry, we can set the foundation of embedding inherently safer design into how we manage hydrogen going forward.
This can be a heated topic and it can get politicized. We need to make sure we're really applying inherently safer design principles when we pick the concept that we are going with, let alone do the engineering down the track
2022-09-2024 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciSan Bruno Pipeline Explosion Lessons LearnedGrandfathered standards from the 1950s along with incorrect blueprints led to loss of life and reputation.
2022-08-2320 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciPodcast: Unique Program Delivers Safer WorkplaceA revolutionary process safety program at a refinery in Blaine, Washington presents challenges in the best ways possible -- by helping operators develop new skills and flex new muscles. It’s always a good day when somewhere in the world a new process-safety champion has been formed.
2022-07-1234 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciDeadly Dust -- Lessons Learned From The Didion Milling ExplosionThis episode looks back on the deadly dust explosion that occurred at Didion Milling in Cambria, Wisconsin. On May 31, 2017, the explosion killed five workers and injured 15 others.
In mid-May 2022 a federal grand jury indicted the operator and six management officials on nine criminal counts, including two counts related to willful violations of federal workplace safety standards for grain handling.
2022-05-3024 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciChernobyl Disaster Dangers Then And NowThe war in Ukraine and the anniversary of Chernobyl bring to light lessons learned from the past and unfortunate worries of today.
2022-04-2623 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciPodcast: Examining Technology’s Blessings And BurdensProcess safety is impacted by automation, robotics, devices and solutions. Whether the impact is positive or negative remains in the hands of humans who implement the technology.
2022-03-2918 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciDeadly Lessons Learned From A Permit-To-Work FailureWhat went wrong at the Piper Alpha oil rig has taught us a lot about permit-to-work systems. They are in place to ensure control of the ownership and activities of a particular piece of equipment -- it’s about keeping people safe and also understanding the status of your plant.
2022-02-2820 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciHow To Make Money And Save Lives Via Process SafetyGood process safety means good reliability … good reliability means good productivity … good productivity is what makes us money. Sometimes you have to talk about the bottom line in order to get buy-in for process-safety initiatives.
2022-02-0222 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciPodcast: 2021 Process Safety Incidents Reveal Preventable PatternsA review of 2021’s process-safety incidents points out that there's nothing new in any of these events; there's no new technology pathway, there's no new chemical reaction or law of chemistry or physics. That means these are all preventable incidents. What are you doing at your facilities to understand these hazards?
2021-12-2020 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciHow To Avoid Dumb Ways To DieIf you're relying on humans getting it right every time, you're going to have an incident. The key is making sure your systems are more resilient to humans making a mistake
2021-11-3022 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciNew Tool In Process Hazard Analysis: Delta HAZOPThe chemical industry has been doing risk assessment the same way for quite some time. This new method focuses on subtle changes, which can lead to degradation of design safeguards.
2021-10-0821 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciCould Deepwater Horizon Have Been Prevented?IChemE’s Trish Kerin ponders that $64,000 question as she and Traci Purdum look back at lessons learned from the Montara oil field incident in 2009.
2021-08-2324 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciLessons Learned From Seveso -- One Of the Biggest Manmade Environmental DisastersWas the Seveso accident, which released dioxin in the air and was named by Time magazine as one of the top manmade environmental disasters, a black swan event? Not likely, according to Trish Kerin, director of the IChemE Safety Centre. On the 45th anniversary of this catastrophic event, we take a look at lessons learned.
2021-07-0524 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciCybersecurity Breach Ripple EffectA money-grab hack prompted executive orders to get cybersecurity under control at firms supplying the government. Private companies will have to comply even if they aren’t the primary contractor.
2021-06-0939 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciThe Cost Of Climate Change On Process SafetyPreparing for the worst is in a facility’s best interest. Indeed, in 2020 there were over 800 natural and man-made disasters that resulted in $4.5 trillion in damages.
This episode of Process Safety with Trish & Traci features Dale Sands, an expert in risk reduction and resiliency.
2021-04-1236 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciLessons Learned From The Fukushima Disaster 10 Years LaterThe catastrophic incident at the Fukushima power plant 10 years ago started long before an earthquake and tsunami wiped out power and caused three reactor meltdowns -- the real problem started in 1967 when the plant was built in a tsunami-prone area. The lessons learned from this disaster can save others.
2021-03-0926 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciFocus On The Right Process Safety IndicatorsAdvertising so many days since the last injury can do more harm than good at a facility. The absence of an incident doesn't mean the presence of safety. Focusing on the correct indicators can help you intervene and potentially change the future. In this episode, Trish & Traci prove when the measure becomes a target it ceases to be a good measure.
2021-01-2423 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciImportance Of Partnering With First RespondersWhen disaster strikes, first responders already have a tough job ahead of them. Don’t put them in further danger by failing to effectively communicate what your facility does and what hazardous substances are stored there.
2020-12-0424 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciHow to apply process safety during the concept-select phaseIt starts with the idea of the inherently safer design principle and that involves elimination. You can take out one hazard but are you increasing the presence of other hazards? What's better? What's worse? This is a judgment call that needs to be made on an engineering basis.
This episode reiterates that process safety requires constant vigilance. The challenge is when it works well, nothing goes wrong. People then question if you really need to spend all that money on safety efforts. The reason nothing is going wrong is because you’re doing it right.
2020-11-1123 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciLessons Learned From The Longford Gas Explosion That Killed TwoA heat exchanger, management of change issues and a gap in knowledge led to a catastrophic incident. All of these were preventable mistakes. When will we learn?
2020-09-3027 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciHow do you ensure your safety message is understood in multiple languages?In this episode Trish and Traci speak with podcast guest Valerie Stakes, a bilingual safety trainer based in San Diego, California.
The trio conclude companies need to ensure that communications are understandable because process safety doesn't give you second chances.
2020-09-0125 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciCatastrophe At The Hands Of Legacy Design IssuesTo mark the 15th anniversary of the Mumbai High North Platform disaster, Trish and Traci discussed what happened that day in 2005. This incident started off as a rather mundane issue -- the cook at the site was injured and needed evacuation. A series of unfortunate events, precipitated by weather conditions, led to the deaths of 22 people. All said, 362 people needed to be rescued that day. The major lesson learned: you have to be creative when thinking about what could go wrong.
2020-08-0423 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciTransporting Dangerous Cargo Via Train -- Is It The Right Way To Go?Trains carrying dangerous cargo like crude oil -- is it the right way to go? Applying process safety principles like inherently safer design could prevent derailments, explosions and deaths. In this episode, Trish & Traci examine the recent uptick in crude oil derailments and what could be done to prevent them.
2020-07-0123 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciMistakes Make Good LeadersIn this episode of Process Safety with Trish & Traci, we learn how Trish landed in the role of director of the IChemE Safety Centre. The mishaps and safety incidents she was involved in led to her passion to ensure process-safety standards were practiced all over the world. It's a dream job that began with an aviation fueling accident.
2020-06-1935 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciHow the Chemical Industry is Adjusting to the New NormHaving to accommodate social distancing practices along with other precautions to ensure workers are safe is a challenge but not insurmountable. Trish & Traci discuss new ways to do old things
2020-06-0229 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciTake Advantage Of Downtime To Ramp Up Process SafetyYou can effectively address your workforce if you factor in how you will interact with the attendees, how you will get their feedback, how you will encourage discussion amongst them.
This episode of Process Safety With Trish & Traci uncovers best practices for presenting and attending safety training virtually.
2020-05-0718 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciWhat have we learned from significant incidents?This podcast takes a look at major process safety incidents -- West Texas, Deepwater Horizon and others. Trish Kerin, director of IChemE Safety Centre, and Traci Purdum, senior editor with Chemical Processing, discuss what happened and what was learned.
2020-04-1723 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciLeading Through A CrisisThis episode of Process Safety With Trish & Traci details tips and tactics to better lead during trying times -- whether it’s a global pandemic or just a time of critical importance. Spoiler: Self-care is important as is a sense of fun.
2020-04-0922 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciOperating During A Pandemic and Process Safety DocumentationHaving thorough and up-to-date process safety documentation will enable plant personnel and first responders to act quickly. Knowledge is power -- be sure that if something goes wrong you know what to do about it. This episode of Process Safety with Trish & Traci offers sage advice.
2020-03-1922 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciIs Inherently Safer Design really safer?Is inherently safer design really safer? Short answer is yes -- but you have to understand the tradeoffs. In this edition of Process Safety with Trish & Traci we delve into past incidents and lessons learned. We also reveal a fun fact about Trevor Kletz.
2020-02-2627 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciAre corporate manslaughter charges too much for safety incidents?This episode of Process Safety with Trish & Traci discusses the topic of punishment for acts that directly relate to safety incidents. While true accidents happen, there are cases where corporate wrongdoing is the reason for injury or loss of life.
2020-01-2720 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciA corroded pipe and decades-old regulations cause catastrophe at Philadelphia Energy SolutionsToday's topic is a news story from earlier this year regarding the fire and explosions and ultimate shuttering of the Philadelphia Energy Solutions oil refinery. The official word from the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board is that a corroded pipe fitting, found to be half the thickness of a credit card at its thinnest point, led to that incident. The concern is that the pipe, which was installed when Richard Nixon was president -- 1973 -- went all this time without being properly checked.
2019-12-1825 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciCyber Security: It's not if you'll be hacked -- it's when.It's not a question of if you will get hacked -- it's a question of when. Traci Purdum, senior digital editor of Chemical Processing, and Trish Kerin, director of IChemE Safety Centre, discuss cyber vulnerabilities and how to stay ahead of the bad actors wanting to stymie your operations.
2019-11-1116 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciIs A Hurricane Harvey Hangover the reason for so many safety incidents in Texas?The aftermath of a hurricane or extreme weather goes well beyond the event itself. Many issues arise that can cause problems months or even years later. How do you prepare for the current weather and mitigate against accidents in the future?
2019-10-2818 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciDo regulations make chemical processing plants safer?Trish Kerin, director of IChemE Safety Center, and Traci Purdum, senior editor at Chemical Processing, discuss process safety regulations. In the end, a safe workspace is a productive workspace and regulations aren't meant to keep you down -- they are meant to keep you safe. The key is making sure regulators are educated enough to help you reach your safety goals.
2019-10-0918 minProcess Safety with Trish & TraciEducated Workforce Key To Safety In ChinaIn this episode of Process Safety with Trish and Traci we examine recent catastrophic events at chemical plants in China. Trish Kerin, director of the IChemE Safety Center offers compelling insight into what might be causing so many accidents abroad.
2019-09-0418 min