Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Braskem and reflects their views, opinions, and insights.
Braskem is the only integrated first- and second-generation thermoplastic resin petrochemical company in Brazil. Representatives from Braskem will be featured throughout the program at the 9th CCPS Latin American Conference on Process Safety. I spoke with Douglas Tavares de Araujo about Braskem’s role with CCPS, mitigating risks and professional skills, and what he sees for the future of the industry.
The 9th CCPS Latin American Conference on Process Safety will take place October 18–20, 2022 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Topics covered include leadership and culture in process safety, emerging topics, cyber risks and process safety technologies, among others. You can view the conference’s program and register on the conference website.
What is your role at the 9th CCPS Latin American Conference on Process Safety?
My role is to understand what the industry trends in process safety are, as well as to identify opportunities for improving our process safety program. The world is changing very quickly, and we need to be connected and aware of what other companies are doing.
Process safety is an area where all companies need to help each other, because it may have a huge impact in the safety of our industries, communities, and the environment.
How is your work as a process safety professional critical to your particular job or the industry where you work?
The work of process safety professionals is critical to the chemical and petrochemical industries. Process safety helps mitigate certain major risks that may drastically impact communities and the industry. Process safety professionals have a crucial role in preventing major incidents that could jeopardize businesses.
What are the most important skills a process safety professional should have?
It is important for process safety professionals to have sound technical knowledge, as well as good communication and managerial vision to unite technical knowledge, management issues, and favorably influence leadership.
What message would you like the audience to take away from the conference?
The main message that the audience should to take away from the conference is that process safety is important not only because it prevents serious incidents, but also because without a good process safety program, the continuity of your own business may be at risk.
We have seen incredible advancements over the years, but there is still much more to do. And it is our job to make it happen.
How do you see process safety impacting industry over the next five years?
As regulations become more restrictive and communities becoming less willing to accept risks, process safety will be even more important in the next five years. Companies are looking more deeply at their risks – especially those that could impact surrounding communities – and are using different strategies to mitigate even more of those risks.
Process safety is, and will continue to be, essential for the business continuity.
Learn more about the 9th CCPS Latin American Conference on Process Safety.
Douglas Tavares de Araujo
Douglas Tavares de Araujo has been working in the HES area for almost 25 years, having worked for some of the biggest chemical companies in the market.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Braskem and reflects their views, opinions, and insights.