Process Safety with Trish & Traci

Inspired 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.

The 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.

In 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.

A 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.  

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.

Cognitive 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 

Trish 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

Insight 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.

Turning tragedy into tools to help avoid future catastrophes will help keep workers safe.

The 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.