2nd Edition of IST Bible

Earlier this week John Wiley and Sons announced the release of the 2nd Edition of the book “Inherently Safer Chemical Processes: A Life Cycle Approach, 2nd Edition”. The book by the Center for Chemical Process Safety is an update of the 1996 edition that looks at the latest chemical engineering advances supporting the concept of inherent safety. There is a chapter on inherent safety and security. According to the contents page this chapter addresses:

“Chemical Security Risk. “Security Strategies. “Countermeasures. “Assessing Security Vulnerabilities. “Inherent Safety and Chemical Security. “Limitations to Implementing IS Concepts in Security Management. “Conclusions.”

I have my copy on order through Amazon.com. Using the reviewing tools that Amazon.com provides to its customers I was able to find one quote from that chapter (pg 160) that should be considered by members of the House that will be voting on some IST provisions as they consider amendments to HR 2868 today. It address the difficulty in assessing the efficacy of IST applications in the security arena.

“However, inherent safety can be a complex issue. Inherent safety may or may not be the most effective security strategy, particularly if a new security concern is created or the security risk is simply shifted. It may be unrealistic to expect that all hazards are eliminated by inherent safety. Instead, all options must be examined in a complex context to assess risk reduction benefits and costs and to consider ris/risk tradeoffs that may unintentionally occurs. They also must be weighed against the benefits of the operation, as well as alternatives, such as more traditional security measures, and whether the overall risk is sufficiently managed.”

Everyone that has concerns, pro or con, about the use inherently safer technology to reduce the risk of terrorist attacks needs to get their own copy of this book. I’ll be looking at the book in more detail in future blogs.