Look around the bookshelves. There are many good recent books and articles on Chemical
Process Safety theory and procedures. These texts offer sound advice on identifying chemical
process hazard analysis, training, audits, and guidelines books addressing the elements
of OSHA’s Process Safety Management Law. However, only a few people such as Trevor A.
Kletz offer many authentic case histories that provide opportunities to learn fundamentals
in process safety.
Trevor Kletz encouraged me to write a book on plant modifications in 1989. At that
time, we were working together teaching an American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Continuing Education Course entitled “Chemical Plant Accidents—A Workshop
on Causes and Preventions.” I hope that my books in some way mimic Trevor Kletz’s style
of presenting clear, interesting anecdotes that illustrate process safety concepts. Hopefully,
my recorded case histories can be shared with chemical process operators, operations
supervisor, university professors studying chemical process safety, chemical plant pipefitters,
welders, and maintenance supervisors.
The first book was successful and this is a sequel. It contains two new chapters, many
new incidents, and plenty of vivid photos.