Chemical Process Safety: Fundamentals with Applications, 4th Edition

Chapter 1. Introduction

Safety is a common denominator across all aspects of life; hence knowledge should always be shared. It is not a matter for industry—it is a matter for humanity.

—Doug Bourne

We believe that the traits required to achieve excellence in safety are the same as those required to achieve outstanding results in all other aspects of our business.

—Ralph Herbert, Vice President of Engineering, ExxonMobil

The learning objectives for this chapter are:

1. Understand the common definitions used for process safety.

2. Explore myths about process safety.

3. Identify components of a safety culture.

4. Discuss individual risk, societal risk, and risk populations.

5. Distinguish between voluntary risk and involuntary risk.

6. Describe safety metrics. ...