Hit the Ground Running (Safely): Process Safety for the Early Career Engineer

Hit the Ground Running (Safely): Process Safety for the Early Career Engineer

 

Session: PSM²

Submitted by:

Don Connolley, Segment Engineering Technical Authority-Process Safety, BP Corporation

Jerry Forest, Global Process Safety Manager, Celanese

Amy Richards, Ph.D., P.E., CFEI, Senior Staff Consultant, ESI

Abstract

Engineers entering the workforce are frequently expected to participate in process safety elements such as PHA, MOC, incident investigation, mechanical integrity programs and more. Although there is a recent ABET requirement to include process safety in engineering curricula, many schools do not help students define what to expect in their first year.

This paper will discuss common process safety duties, activities, and responsibilities expected of new engineers. The paper will follow the recently published CCPS book Process Safety for Undergraduates and Engineers. It will also introduce the AIChE’s Health and Safety Division’s Professional Outreach concept on mentoring. The mentoring project will provide a platform to connect experienced process safety engineers with student and local chapters, and individuals who are seeking assistance with specific process safety topics.