Mind the Gap

Occupational and Process Safety

A recent visit to London provided a simple illustration of the difference between occupational safety and process safety.

On the London Underground (the ‘Tube’) there is often a gap between the train itself and the platform. If someone were to slip and put their foot into that gap they could be seriously injured. Therefore, ‘Mind the Gap’ signs are painted on the platforms. This is an occupational safety response to the hazard. We are relying on human behavior to make sure that no one is hurt.

The process safety response to this situation would be to straighten the tracks and so remove the hazard.

Of course, straightening the tracks would be very expensive and disruptive.

So it is with process safety ― the best response is often costly. The response either requires substantial capital expense or operating conditions have to be changed such that product yields decrease or energy consumption increases. This is not always the case ― sometimes changes to the process can improve operability or productivity. But the phrase ‘Safety is Free’ can be disingenuous.