(85b) Enhancing the Undergraduate Chemical Engineering Lab with An Industrial Process Safety Approach

This paper summarizes a new process risk analysis approach used to enhance the chemical engineering unit operations laboratory. The students are trained with an industrial process safety approach in an inherently low-risk environment. This approach is based on more than ten years of industrial process hazards analysis experience, which includes assessing for process-related hazards and reducing process-related risks. Before the students begin the experimental phase of their laboratory project, they must show that they understand the potential hazardous events related to their project. The students complete a Project Risk Analysis (PRA) check sheet which lists both the hazards addressed in the OSHA Process Safety Management standard (i.e., fire, explosion, and toxic release) as well as other area and personnel safety-related hazards (e.g., noise, utilities, etc.). The students qualitatively evaluate the risks of these events with a consequence versus likelihood risk matrix. The ?worst case? consequences, the likelihood, and the risk are qualitatively ranked as low, medium, or high. Before experimentation, the students demonstrate that these risks have been addressed and are reduced as much as practical by filling out subsequent columns in the PRA check sheet, noting the design of and implementation of any engineering controls, any administrative controls, and, if needed, any required personal protective equipment (PPE). The area-related risk analysis addresses the potential hazards associated with nearby equipment; the students must prove that they are aware of potential hazards in their surroundings, as well. Whether the students continue onto graduate school or begin work at a plant site, this industrial process safety approach provides them with tools that will help them improve their safety when working in their new and potentially hazardous environment.