TABLE OF CONTENTS Perspective, perspective, perspective chemical manufacturing industries are often the targets of misperceptions. In this opening chapter, be prepared to see a more accurate representation of the U.S. chemical industry, including its value to humanity, its history, and its high degree of safety. The first section is a brief review of the countless benefits of the chemical industries that surround us, increase our life span, and enhance our enjoyment of life. The second section is a glimpse of the history of the vital chemical manufacturing industry. However, the concept of comparative risks is the main emphasis of this chapter. The perceived risks of the chemical industry and its occupations are often misunderstood.
Working in the chemical industry is safer than most individuals realize. We shall provide a perspective of the risks of working within this industry by comparing that risk with actual statistical dangers encountered with other well-understood occupations, commonplace activities, and life-styles. Later chapters will focus on costly errors in the chemical industry along with practices and procedures to reduce the occurrence and severity of such incidents. Viewed in isolation, case histories alone could easily lead to the inaccurate picture that the chemical industry is dangerous. In fact, the chemical industry has an impressive safety record that is considerably better than most occupations. The news media does not often speak of the safety of the chemical plants because these passive truths lack news-selling sizzle.
Chemical manufacturing and petroleum refining...
