Does Process Safety Really Matter in Colombia?

Colombia does not have the biggest process industry in the world, or even in South America, but it does have a significant number of major hazard facilities with the potential for catastrophic accidents involving large scale loss of life, harm to health and extensive environmental damage. The country boasts two significant petroleum refineries, as well as manufacturing facilities for petrochemicals, synthetic fibers, plastics, herbicides, and rubber. These processes have the potential to cause fires, explosions, or toxic releases of chlorine, ammonia, hydrogen fluoride, among others. Management of process safety by government and industry is in its infancy compared with more developed countries, so it is important to know the context of the industry as a basis for development of government regulations and corporate policies.