The chemical industry long has been concerned about the safety of its operations and the risks both within the plant gate and beyond. Dealing with safety issues can involve sophisticated techniques for hazard analysis and prescriptive measures for plant design and operation. It also can involve rethinking a process to make it inherently safer. It demands an understanding of tradeoffs and nuances.
Volume 1 of the safety incident reports covers accidents in 15 states that resulted in five fatalities, 17 serious injuries, and approximately $700 million in property damage....